In today’s interconnected world, where businesses rely heavily on digital platforms and data driven operations, cybersecurity has emerged as a paramount concern for organisations of all sizes. The landscape of cyber threats is constantly evolving, with malicious actors becoming increasingly sophisticated in their methods. Non-technical business leaders might find the realm of cybersecurity daunting, but a crucial concept to grasp is the significance of understanding your organisation’s external attack surface. 

The hidden dangers of ignorance 

The external attack surface of an organisation refers to all the points in its digital infrastructure that are exposed to potential cyber threats from the outside world. Failure to monitor and manage this attack surface can have dire consequences. In recent years, businesses across the UK have witnessed a series of alarming breaches that spotlight the risks associated with an inadequate understanding of the attack surface. 

Businesses that neglect their cybersecurity responsibilities become vulnerable targets and prominent organisations have fallen victim to cyberattacks due to weak points in their infrastructure, leading to data breaches, financial losses, and reputational damage. Such breaches could have been avoided or mitigated had a more comprehensive understanding of the external attack surface been in place. 

The recurring need for vigilance 

The threat landscape is constantly evolving, making it imperative for organisations to monitor their externally facing presence on an ongoing basis.

Cyber threats are not static; they adapt, mutate, and exploit newly discovered weaknesses. Defenders needs to mimic this dynamic approach to stay ahead of the attackers. Annual assessments are a minimum requirement, but ideally, more frequent evaluations should be carried out to ensure any vulnerabilities are promptly identified and remediated before they are discovered by the wrong person.

Four key steps to understanding your external attack surface 

1. Vulnerability Scanning:  Regularly scanning the organisation’s internet-facing infrastructure helps identify potential vulnerabilities that attackers could exploit. New vulnerabilities are discovered regularly, and without consistent scanning, organisations risk remaining unaware of these weak points. Proactive vulnerability management is key to minimizing the attack surface. 
2. Dark Web Monitoring:  The dark web is a breeding ground for stolen data, including breached credentials and leaked documents. Cybercriminals often sell or trade this information, using it as a steppingstone for larger attacks. By actively monitoring the dark web, organisations can identify compromised credentials or sensitive data and take immediate action to mitigate the associated risks. 
3. Passive Reconnaissance on the Internet:  Attackers perform passive reconnaissance to gather information about potential targets from publicly available sources. Non-sensitive information scattered across the internet can be pieced together to formulate an attack strategy. Understanding what attackers can glean from these scattered pieces is crucial to pre-emptively countering their efforts. 
4. Managing an Asset & Inventory Register:  Organisations often overlook the importance of keeping track of all their internet-connected systems and SaaS platforms. This oversight can lead to shadow IT, where unauthorized software or systems create unmonitored entry points for attackers. By maintaining a comprehensive asset and inventory register, businesses can maintain control over their digital infrastructure and identify any unauthorized or risky components. 

A specialized discipline beyond IT operations 

Monitoring and defending the external attack surface is a complex and dynamic field that requires specialized knowledge and tools. It is not a task that should be considered a component of regular IT operations and organisations must recognize the need for dedicated resources to conduct this vital work to avoid the risk of unintentionally leaving a significant gap in their cybersecurity strategy. 

For businesses seeking to address this risk and looking to integrate management processes to enhance their cybersecurity strategies, Zuri can help.

Through passive reconnaissance, regularly identifying and eliminating new vulnerabilities and actively watching the dark web for sensitive data, we can help you to understand and defend all entry points into your organisation. Get in touch to arrange a conversation with one of our experts to see how we can help you stay one step ahead.