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With cyber threats evolving at an alarming rate, organisations and individuals alike need to be proactive in safeguarding their digital assets.
One crucial component of a robust cyber security strategy is attack surface management (ASM). ASM is the process of identifying, monitoring, and reducing an organisation’s attack surface – the sum of all possible points where an attacker could breach the network or gain unauthorised access.
Here are three key things you need to know about attack surface management:
1. Visibility is key
The first step in managing your attack surface effectively is gaining a comprehensive understanding of it. This means identifying all assets and potential vulnerabilities within your organisation’s network. These assets can range from servers and databases to web applications and third-party integrations. An effective ASM solution should provide real-time visibility into your entire digital footprint, helping you discover hidden, forgotten, or unmonitored assets.
This visibility is crucial because you can’t protect what you can’t see.
2. Continuous monitoring is a must
Attack surface management isn’t a one-and-done process. Cyber threats are dynamic, and your organisation’s digital landscape is constantly evolving. Continuous monitoring is essential to keep pace with these changes and ensure that new assets and vulnerabilities are promptly identified and addressed. ASM tools use automated scanning and monitoring techniques to track changes in your attack surface, helping you stay ahead of potential threats. Regular assessments and vulnerability scans help pinpoint weak spots before attackers can exploit them, reducing the risk of data breaches and cyber attacks.
3. Risk reduction through attack surface reduction
Once you have a clear view of your attack surface and are continuously monitoring it, the next step is to reduce it. Attack surface reduction involves minimising your organisation’s exposure to potential threats.
This can be achieved by decommissioning unused or unnecessary assets, patching known vulnerabilities, and implementing security best practices. By actively managing and reducing your attack surface, you limit the opportunities for cyber criminals to exploit weaknesses in your network.
Remember – cyber security is an ongoing process, and staying proactive through ASM is essential to safeguarding your digital assets.
David Hollingworth has been writing about technology for over 20 years, and has worked for a range of print and online titles in his career. He is enjoying getting to grips with cyber security, especially when it lets him talk about Lego.
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