What is the difference between a false positive and a true positive in threat detection?

In the context of threat detection, a false positive refers to a scenario where the system incorrectly identifies an event as a threat when, in fact, there is no legitimate threat present. This can lead to unnecessary alarm and wasted resources as organizations may investigate these false alerts thinking they signify a real threat.

On the other hand, a true positive occurs when the threat detection system accurately identifies and confirms a genuine threat. This distinction is crucial for effective threat management; organizations rely on true positives to respond to actual threats while minimizing the impact of false positives that can distract from real issues. Understanding these concepts helps security analysts optimize their processes, reducing noise and enhancing the accuracy of threat detection.