Protecting the ‘Bottom Line’ in Your External Attack Surface

In the first half of 2024, we continue to see the ripple effects of the significant cybersecurity challenges that emerged in 2023. Last year, data breaches escalated to unprecedented levels, setting a troubling precedent that has only intensified. The complexity and severity of cyberattacks—including social engineering, ransomware, and DDoS attacks—have surged, driven largely by hackers leveraging AI tools.

 

As we move further into 2024, these trends show no signs of slowing, making cybersecurity more critical than ever. The MTrends report from Mandiant highlights the importance of Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM), revealing that 38% of successful breaches stem from an initial infection vector via exploitation. This underscores the urgent need for robust cybersecurity strategies to combat evolving threats.

 

In recent years, we have seen a steady rise in breach costs. Remote work introduced new security vulnerabilities that hackers exploited, significantly expanding the cyberthreat landscape. The growing prevalence of malware and hackers across various industries has made anyone online more vulnerable to breaches. The sheer number of criminal adversaries and potential entry points makes containment and mitigation increasingly difficult. Unfortunately, cyber statistics in 2024 are expected to remain much the same.

 

According to the Veeam Ransomware Trends Report 2024, which surveyed 1,200 CISOs, security professionals, and backup administrators who faced ransomware attacks in 2023, many organizations remain unprepared for recovery despite having incident response plans and policies in place. This lack of preparedness poses a significant risk not only to the company's reputation, employee morale, and productivity but also to its bottom line. Int he context of CTEM, it’s imperative for businesses to priorities proactive and comprehensive security measures. By addressing these pressing vulnerabilities, organizations can safeguard their financial stability, maintain operational resilience, and protect their business interests in an increasingly hostile cyber environment.

The Role of EASM in Risk andGovernance

 

External Attack Surface Management (EASM) plays a critical role in identifying and managing the multifarious risks that organizations face. By leveraging extensive internet telemetry data, EASM solutions offer a comprehensive view of an organization's external digital footprint. This approach provides essential insights into potential vulnerabilities and security gaps, forming the basis for robust governance structures.

 

While External Attack Surface Management (EASM) is a crucial part of the defense strategy, it's important to note its limitations. EASM, which relies on internet telemetry data, can't provide a real-time understanding of what a threat actor could potentially exploit in your system today.

 

Each day, the threat landscape evolves with new vulnerabilities, exploits, and methods to by pass security measures. This dynamic environment demands a solution that can keep pace. ULTRARED Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) solution is designed to do just that, going beyond traditional EASM to provide proactive protection.

How ULTRARED CTEM ImprovesTraditional EASM for Real-Time Threat Intelligence

ULTRARED CTEM  solution proactively addresses the limitations of traditional EASM by offering real-time threat intelligence and validation. CTEM provides the situational awareness necessary to understand the current threat landscape and how it impacts your organization today. Through continuous scanning and validation, ULTRARED's CTEM identifies exploitable exposures, enabling organisations to respond swiftly and effectively.

ULTRARED's approach goes beyond merely highlighting vulnerabilities. It provides actionable insights into there mediation and mitigation processes, ensuring that organizations can address threats promptly. By integrating  CTEM into your security framework, you gain a dynamic and responsive defense mechanism that not only responds to but also evolves with the threat landscape.

The ultimate goal of any security strategy is to protect the organisation's bottom line. Cyber threats can have significant financial implications, from direct financial losses due to breaches to the indirect costs associated with reputation damage and regulatory fines. By leveraging ULTRARED's comprehensive suite of tools, including Automated Adversary Emulation, EASM, CTI, and Automated Breach and Attack Simulation (ABAS), organizations can build a robust security posture that not only safeguards their critical assets but also saves them money in the long run.

Protecting Your Bottom Linewith ULTRARED’s CTEM

ULTRARED’s technologies empower hands-on operators with verified cyber intelligence, enabling them to identify and actionable cyber challenges. This proactive approach not only enhances security but also supports overall business resilience, ensuring that organisations can continue to operate effectively even in the face of evolving cyber threats.

To learn more about how ULTRARED AI can help secure your external attack surface and protect your bottom line, book a call with our experts today. Together, we can build a robust security strategy tailored to your organization's needs.