What distinguishes proactive defense strategies from reactive defense strategies?

Proactive defense strategies are primarily characterized by their focus on preventing incidents before they occur, rather than addressing them afterward. This means that organizations employing proactive strategies engage in preventative measures, such as risk assessments, employee training, and the implementation of security policies and technologies aimed at identifying vulnerabilities beforehand. By anticipating potential threats and implementing safeguards, these strategies significantly reduce the likelihood of security breaches or incidents.

In contrast to reactive strategies—which only respond to incidents after they happen—proactive measures seek to create a robust security posture that aims to thwart attacks before they can penetrate defenses. This shift in focus from responding to events to actively preventing them is what fundamentally distinguishes proactive approaches in defense practices.