The dawn of digital technology and internet connectivity has opened Pandora’s box of cyber threats. Hence, organizations need to reduce risk across their attack surface to ensure the safety of their digital assets. The “attack surface” refers to the total of possible points from where an unauthorized user (the ‘attacker’) can infiltrate an organization’s data system or network. Understanding how to mitigate risks across this surface becomes crucial to the cyber security puzzle.
1. Understanding Your Attack Surface
First, it’s pivotal to comprehend the dimensions of your attack surface. It’s like studying a blueprint before you build a house. The attack surface includes all the networks, applications, endpoints, and users interacting with your organization’s system.
Every email sent, every device used, every user who logs in, and every application running can expand the attack surface. Even aspects like remote work policies and third-party access can extend it further. Therefore, it’s important to regularly take stock and ensure that all potential attack points are adequately secured.
2. Regular Auditing and Risk Assessment
Just as a diligent gardener periodically checks plants for any signs of pests or disease, regular auditing and risk assessment are necessary to maintain a healthy security posture.
These processes involve identifying and evaluating all the assets across your attack surface, determining their potential vulnerabilities, and quantifying their risk. Various tools and methodologies can help with this, including vulnerability scanners and risk assessment frameworks. Regular audits enable organizations to spot potential vulnerabilities before attackers do.
3. Employing Multi-Factor Authentication
Multi-factor authentication is a security system that requires more than one authentication method from independent categories of credentials to verify the user’s identity. It’s akin to having multiple locks on your door; even if one is broken, the others still provide protection.
Using multi-factor authentication can drastically reduce the risk of unauthorized access, even if an attacker manages to get a user’s credentials.
4. Regular Patching and Updating
Patching and updating software, hardware, and applications regularly is like repairing a boat’s leaks before it sets sail. Outdated software often has known vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit, so regular updates are essential.
RiskXchange explains that you can “reduce your organisation’s cyber risk by monitoring, tracking and mitigating risk across your attack surface around the clock.” However, updating and patching should be done carefully and systematically to ensure the process doesn’t open up new vulnerabilities. Also implementing a PRTG OPC UA server in your industrial network can enhance real-time monitoring and data exchange, while ensuring seamless integration with your patch management systems.
5. Investing in Cyber Security Training
Lastly, humans are a crucial part of the attack surface. Thus, investing in cyber security training for all members of an organization is paramount. It’s akin to equipping soldiers with the necessary skills to defend their territory.
Employees should be trained to identify and respond to cyber threats like phishing attacks and malware. An informed and vigilant workforce can significantly reduce the risk of a successful cyber attack. Additionally, implementing advanced security measures like dark web monitoring can strengthen your organization’s defense against potential breaches.
In the never-ending game of cat and mouse between organizations and cyber attackers, managing and mitigating risks across your attack surface is a powerful strategy. Understanding your attack surface, regularly auditing and assessing risks, employing multi-factor authentication, updating systems, and training your workforce are all crucial steps in this journey. Remember, the goal is not just to withstand the storms of cyber attacks but to sail smoothly and confidently in the digital sea.