Cyberattacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, targeting not just traditional IT infrastructure but also cloud environments, mobile devices, and the expanding network of interconnected devices known as the Internet of Things (IoT). In this dynamic environment, CEOs are under immense pressure to safeguard their organizations and come up with cyber defense strategies like Attack Surface Management (ASM).
A successful cyberattack can have devastating consequences, resulting in financial losses, operational disruptions, reputational damage, and even legal repercussions. To effectively navigate this complex landscape, organizations require a robust cyber defense strategy. At the heart of this strategy lies ASM. As its name suggests, ASM focuses on identifying, prioritizing, and managing an organization’s attack surface – the entirety of its digital assets that could be exploited by malicious actors.
CEO Cybersecurity Insights: Prioritizing Proactive Defense
CEOs are increasingly recognizing the pivotal role they play in driving their organization’s cybersecurity posture. Gone are the days of reactive defense; leading CEOs are championing a proactive approach that prioritizes prevention over mitigation.
According to a recent article by the Forbes Technology Council, effective ASM aligns perfectly with this strategic shift. By providing a comprehensive view of the attack surface, ASM enables organizations to anticipate potential vulnerabilities and take corrective measures before they are exploited.
“We’re teaching MSPs [Managed Service Providers] to become Managed Attack Surface Solution Providers,” says David Bellini, CEO of Liongard, in an interview to CRN. This shift reflects the growing importance of ASM within the broader cybersecurity landscape. By partnering with managed security providers that offer expertise in ASM, organizations can gain the resources and expertise they need to effectively manage their attack surface.
Mitigating Cyber Risk and Protecting Business Value
By effectively managing their attack surface, CEOs can significantly reduce the risk of a successful cyberattack. This translates to increased cyber resilience – the ability to withstand, adapt to, and recover from cyberattacks.
As highlighted in a KuppingerCole research paper, a robust ASM program helps organizations prioritize the most critical vulnerabilities, focusing resources on mitigating threats that pose the highest risk. This risk-based approach optimizes resource allocation and ensures that the most valuable assets are adequately protected.
In an era where data is the lifeblood of most businesses, protecting it from unauthorized access is paramount. ASM plays a crucial role in achieving this objective by identifying and securing sensitive data wherever it resides within the attack surface. This helps organizations comply with data privacy regulations and safeguard their competitive advantage.
Beyond Security: Driving Business Growth
While cybersecurity has traditionally been viewed as a cost center, forward-thinking CEOs recognize it as an essential investment for business growth. By protecting critical assets and data, a robust ASM program enables organizations to:
- Focus on innovation: With the peace of mind that their systems are secure, organizations can dedicate more resources to developing new products, services, and business models.
- Enhance customer trust: Consumers are increasingly concerned about data privacy. By demonstrating a commitment to data security through effective ASM, organizations can build trust with their customers and attract new business.
- Maintain operational continuity: Cyberattacks can bring operations to a screeching halt. By minimizing the risk of disruption through ASM, organizations can ensure a smooth flow of business activities and ensure effective cyber threat management.
Implementing an Effective Attack Surface Management Program
Implementing a comprehensive ASM program is not without its challenges. Here are some key obstacles CEOs often encounter:
- Visibility and Inventory: Gaining a complete picture of the attack surface can be complex due to the dynamic nature of IT environments. Legacy systems, cloud migrations, and the ever-expanding use of mobile devices can create blind spots within the attack surface.
- Resource Constraints: Implementing and maintaining an ASM program requires skilled personnel, specialized tools, and ongoing investment. Many organizations face resource limitations in this area.
- Integration with Existing Security Tools: Integrating ASM with other cybersecurity tools and platforms can be challenging. A holistic approach is crucial for maximizing the benefits of ASM.
Best Practices for Overcoming Challenges, Achieving Effective ASM
Despite these challenges, CEOs and security leaders can adopt the following best practices for enhancing cyber resilience posture through effective ASM:
- Executive Sponsorship: Secure the strong support of top management to prioritize ASM initiatives and allocate necessary resources. A CEO’s championing of ASM sends a clear message to the entire organization about the importance of cybersecurity.
- Develop a Comprehensive ASM Strategy: This strategy should be aligned with overall business objectives and risk tolerance. It should outline the key components of the ASM program, including asset discovery and inventory, vulnerability assessment, risk prioritization, and remediation strategies.
Organizations like Cyble, the leading provider of AI-driven cybersecurity solutions, provide a strong ASM tool that helps banks secure their digital assets by actively monitoring and managing potential entry points across web and mobile apps, cloud devices, domains, email servers, IoT devices, and public code repositories.
In June 2024, Cyble was recognized by Forrester (Nasdaq: FORR) in its report, The Attack Surface Management Solutions Landscape, Q2 2024 Report. This report offers valuable insights for organizations seeking to evaluate and select an attack surface management (ASM) solution that aligns with their unique attack surfaces and threats.
Explore how Cyble can assist in cybersecurity for banking executives and ensure a comprehensive approach to banking attack surface management.