Lateral movement is a tactic used by cyber attackers after they have gained initial access to a network. Instead of targeting just one system, attackers move sideways across the network, using compromised accounts or tools to access additional computers, servers, or sensitive data. This allows them to escalate their privileges, avoid detection, and reach valuable assets or information. Lateral movement is a key step in many advanced cyberattacks, as it helps attackers expand their control within an organization before launching further attacks or stealing data.