Explain what "sandboxing" means in cybersecurity.

Sandboxing in cybersecurity refers to a technique used to execute untested or unverified code in a controlled environment that is isolated from the main system or network. This method allows cybersecurity professionals to observe the behavior of the code without risking damage to the production environment or compromising sensitive data.

When code is run in a sandbox, it is evaluated for malicious behavior, ensuring that any harmful actions it might attempt to carry out are contained within the sandbox. This practice is crucial for analyzing potentially harmful software, like malware, because it provides a safe setting to study its effects and how it interacts with the system without endangering actual operational resources.

This controlled execution environment is particularly useful in situations where the code's behavior is uncertain, allowing analysts to gather necessary intelligence on malware characteristics or vulnerabilities without exposing the organization to risk.