As artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities advance, cyber attackers and defenders are entering a high-stakes arms race. Dark AI—malicious applications of AI for offensive purposes—leverages automation, precision, and adaptability to bypass traditional security defenses. On the other hand, defensive AI focuses on countering these threats using anomaly detection, predictive analytics, and automated response mechanisms.

This blog explores the technical dimensions of this escalating battle, highlighting key tools, methodologies, and approaches used by both sides.

Dark AI vs. Defensive AI: A Battle of Algorithms

The Rise of Dark AI

Dark AI refers to the use of AI and machine learning (ML) for malicious purposes. These tools give attackers unprecedented capabilities, enabling them to automate, scale, and adapt their attacks like never before.

How Cybercriminals Use Dark AI

1. AI-Powered Phishing

   • Generative AI tools, like WormGPT and FraudGPT, craft highly personalized and convincing phishing emails at scale.
   • These emails are indistinguishable from legitimate communication, making traditional filters ineffective.

2. Deepfake Exploitation

   • AI-generated deepfake videos and voices are used to impersonate executives, political figures, or loved ones.
   • Example: A CFO receives a deepfake video of their CEO authorizing a large financial transaction.

3. AI Malware and Evasion Tactics

   • Malware with AI capabilities adapts in real-time, learning to bypass antivirus software.
   • Tools like DeepLocker use AI to hide malicious payloads within benign applications, activating only under specific conditions.

4. Automated Reconnaissance

   • AI scrapes and analyzes vast data sets, such as social media profiles, to identify vulnerabilities in targets.

The Emergence of Defensive AI

To counteract dark AI, cybersecurity teams are turning to defensive AI—systems designed to predict and mitigate AI-driven attacks. These systems use machine learning to analyze patterns, detect anomalies, and respond faster than human operators ever could.

How Defensive AI Works

1. Anomaly Detection

   • Defensive AI monitors network activity in real-time, flagging unusual patterns that could indicate an attack.
   • Example: Tools like Darktrace use ML algorithms to learn a network's baseline behavior and detect deviations.

2. Threat Hunting and Prediction

   • AI analyzes historical attack data to predict future tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs).
   • This proactive approach enables organizations to prepare defenses in advance.

3. Deepfake Detection

   • Tools like Sensity AI identify manipulated videos and voices, protecting organizations from deepfake fraud.

4. AI-Augmented Incident Response

   • Defensive AI accelerates response times by automating the containment of threats.
   • Example: When ransomware is detected, AI isolates affected systems before the malware can spread.

Dark AI vs. Defensive AI: Key Battles

1. Automation

• Dark AI: Automates phishing, hacking, and malware deployment, scaling attacks with minimal human intervention.
• Defensive AI: Automates threat detection and response, reducing time-to-mitigation.

2. Adaptability

• Dark AI: Learns from defensive measures and evolves to bypass them.
• Defensive AI: Continuously updates its models based on new threats and attacker behaviors.

3. Scale

• Dark AI: Targets millions of systems simultaneously using generative AI and botnets.
• Defensive AI: Monitors massive datasets, analyzing billions of data points to spot irregularities.

Challenges in the AI Arms Race

While defensive AI is a powerful tool, it’s not without limitations:

• False Positives: AI may flag benign activity as malicious, creating noise for security teams.
• Resource Intensive: Training and deploying AI systems require significant computational power and expertise.
• Bias and Blind Spots: Attackers can exploit weaknesses in AI models, such as biases in training data.

Similarly, dark AI faces hurdles:

• Access to Resources: Developing and maintaining advanced AI requires infrastructure and funding.
• Detection Risks: Cybersecurity tools are getting better at identifying AI-driven attacks.

The Future of AI in Cybersecurity

The battle between dark AI and defensive AI is just beginning. As technologies advance, we’re likely to see:

• Hybrid AI Systems: Combining human expertise with AI for a more comprehensive approach to security.
• AI Regulation: Governments and organizations working to establish ethical standards for AI use.
• AI Collaboration: Security teams sharing AI threat intelligence to stay ahead of attackers.

What CISOs & CyberSecurity Teams Can Do Today

1. Emulate AI-Driven Attacks

   • Use adversarial AI emulations (checkout this tool) to test defenses against realistic AI-driven threats.
     
     
2. Conduct Continuous Red Team Exercises & Pen Testing
   • Conduct regular red team vs. blue team exercises with AI-enabled tools.
   • Learn More About FireCompass Automated Pen Testing & Red Teaming here.
     

3. Deploy AI-Driven Platforms

   • Use solutions like Darktrace or Vectra AI to integrate behavioral detection.
   • Incorporate anomaly detection for cloud, network, and endpoint security.
     

4. Collaborate on Threat Intelligence

   • Join communities like the CISO Platform GenAI Taskforce to share insights on AI-based threats.
   • Sign up for the taskforce here.
     
     

5. Invest in Explainable AI (XAI)

   • Prioritize tools that offer transparency into AI decision-making, reducing blind spots in detection.

Conclusion

The clash between dark AI and defensive AI is pushing the boundaries of cybersecurity innovation. While attackers continue to refine their tools, defenders have the opportunity to leverage cutting-edge technologies to stay ahead. However, success depends on collaboration, continuous learning, and investment in AI-enabled defenses.

Join the fight against AI-driven threats by participating in the CISO Platform GenAI Taskforce. Together, we can shape the future of cybersecurity. Sign up for the GenAI Taskforce.

Automated penetration testing uses specialized software to emulate cyberattacks on your IT systems. This helps find vulnerabilities before attackers do. It’s essential for strengthening your cybersecurity strategy through continuous and efficient assessment.

CISO Business Summary: The Case for Automated Penetration Testing

Automated penetration testing is a critical component of modern cybersecurity strategies, enabling organizations to proactively identify and remediate vulnerabilities across their IT environments. It combines speed, scalability, and cost-effectiveness to deliver continuous security assessments, ensuring resilience against evolving threats. Innovative platforms like FireCompass add value by enhancing attack surface discovery and delivering continuous, automated testing for comprehensive risk management.

Key Business Benefits

• Continuous Risk Visibility:
  Automated tools provide real-time, continuous assessments of your digital footprint, identifying exposed assets and vulnerabilities before attackers can exploit them. This proactive approach ensures that organizations maintain an up-to-date security posture, reducing blind spots.

• Operational Efficiency:
  Automated testing streamlines repetitive tasks, allowing security teams to focus on strategic priorities. Platforms with intelligent prioritization, such as FireCompass, reduce false positives to zero and improve response times, ensuring vulnerabilities are effectively addressed.

• Cost Savings:
  Automated testing significantly reduces the costs associated with manual penetration testing while delivering consistent, scalable assessments.

• Enhanced Security Outcomes:
  Integrating automated testing tools into security workflows enables organizations to detect and address vulnerabilities earlier in the development lifecycle. Continuous testing ensures real-time adaptability to emerging threats, keeping defenses robust and dynamic.

Strategic Alignment with Security Goals

• Regulatory Compliance: Regular assessments ensure adherence to compliance frameworks such as PCI DSS, HIPAA, and NIST standards.
• DevSecOps Integration: Automated tools support early vulnerability detection by integrating with CI/CD pipelines, enabling secure software development and deployment cycles.
• AI-Driven Precision: Advanced platforms leverage AI to reduce false positives and prioritize vulnerabilities that pose real business risks, ensuring that critical issues are addressed promptly.

>>FireCompass is a single platform for attack surface management & automated penetration testing & red teaming

Understanding Automated Penetration Testing

Automated penetration testing involves using automated pen testing tools to simulate cyberattacks on systems, mimicking the actions of a potential attacker to uncover vulnerabilities. This approach is essential for organizations seeking to proactively enhance their security measures through continuous assessment and timely identification of vulnerabilities, including an automated penetration test, particularly in the context of automated penetration testing march.

Unlike traditional vulnerability scanning, which often provides a static snapshot of a system’s security, automated penetration testing offers an ongoing, dynamic evaluation. These tools mimic adversarial actions to offer a more comprehensive understanding of an organization’s security posture.

What is Automated Penetration Testing?

Automated penetration testing tools enhance security assessments by simulating real-world attacks to identify vulnerabilities. These tools utilize intelligent algorithms and threat intelligence to analyze vulnerability severity and prioritize risks efficiently. The primary goal is to proactively upscale cybersecurity measures before attacks occur, revealing and resolving security weaknesses.

Specialized software simulates cyberattacks to identify weaknesses in automated penetration testing. By employing known tactics, techniques, and procedures, these tools offer a holistic, attacker-centric perspective on security posture.

The key difference between automated and manual penetration testing is that automated testing uses scripted processes for repetitive tasks, whereas manual testing involves skilled professionals probing defenses. While manual penetration testing offers greater flexibility and deeper analysis, automated tools are invaluable for routine assessments, enabling continuous monitoring. Understanding how automated penetration testing differ from manual methods is crucial for effective security strategies.

Key Benefits of Automated Penetration Testing

• Efficiency and Scalability: Automated testing, streamlines processes and enables scalable attack scenarios across extensive IT environments, saving time and resources.

• Continuous Visibility: Regular automated scans, provide continuous visibility into your security posture, ensuring vulnerabilities are detected as they emerge.

• Quick Remediation: Automated testing speeds up the validation-remediation cycle for critical vulnerabilities. These platforms help prioritize risks and recommend actionable insights for remediation.

• Cost-Effectiveness: With tools like FireCompass, organizations can conduct frequent, scalable security assessments without the high operational costs associated with manual methods.

Common Challenges and Limitations

• Despite its benefits, automated penetration testing is not without challenges. One common issue is false positives, which can waste time and resources and potentially lead to the oversight of real vulnerabilities. Unlike most available tools, FireCompass prioritizes your vulnerabilities and reduces false positives by 100% so that you can focus on the most critical security gaps.
• Cybersecurity professionals play a crucial role in managing automated penetration testing results. They analyze findings, mitigate false positives, and improve the overall security evaluation. Human oversight is crucial for accurately interpreting results and addressing nuances that automated tools might miss. FireCompass adds the expert in the loop along with automated pen testing.
• In addition, automated penetration testing may fall short in identifying complex vulnerabilities such as business logic flaws and privilege escalation issues. Unlike other platforms,
• FireCompass has several multi path attack tree playbooks that can test complex vulnerabilities and business logic testing.

Automated Penetration Testing Tools

A variety of software tools are employed in automated penetration testing to imitate cyber threats and identify system vulnerabilities. AI and machine learning integration enhances these tools’ ability to manage vast data and identify vulnerabilities more efficiently.

These tools are essential for organizations looking to maintain a robust security posture. The market provides various options, each with unique capabilities tailored to different needs. Knowing the strengths of these tools helps organizations select the right solution for their security challenges.

Selecting the Right Tool for Your Needs

Selecting an automated penetration testing tool requires considering the specific needs of your organization. Features like penetration depth and a high number of vulnerability tests are essential. Tools should simulate real-world attacks and scan behind logins and protected screens for comprehensive testing.

Automated testing tools can be configured to delve deeper into vulnerabilities based on the sensitivity setting and organization’s risk tolerance. Regularly evaluating and updating testing tools keeps pace with evolving security threats and technological advancements.

Integrating automated penetration tests with a risk management platform can automate risk-based prioritization and the vulnerability management lifecycle. This integration enhances the overall effectiveness of your security strategy by providing a consolidated view of vulnerabilities and their impact.

Comparing Automated and Manual Penetration Testing

A blend of both automated and manual testing provides the best approach for effective penetration testing. Manual penetration testing provides a deeper analysis and is capable of uncovering trickier vulnerabilities that automated tests might miss. However, it often requires a significant investment of time and resources, leading to higher costs for organizations.

Automated testing allows for regular assessments at scale, complementing manual testing that adapts to uniquely configured systems. Automated penetration testing cannot completely replace manual testing, as it lacks the nuanced understanding to tackle complex security scenarios effectively.

Speed and Efficiency

Automated testing can be executed rapidly, allowing for frequent assessments without significant additional costs. Automated tools can scan systems and applications in a matter of hours or minutes, potentially assessing vulnerability severity within minutes. This speed is crucial for organizations needing to stay ahead of cyber threats.

AI significantly enhances the speed of automated penetration testing, reducing assessment times from weeks to hours. Automated testing lacks the depth of manual testing and does not provide a full range of insights.

Choosing tools that minimize false positives saves time and resources for security analysts.

Depth and Flexibility

Manual testing uncovers complex vulnerabilities that automated tools might overlook due to their predefined nature. The flexibility of manual testing allows for tailored assessments that adapt to the unique configurations of different systems. Such adaptability is crucial for addressing specific vulnerabilities automated tests might miss.

An effective automated penetration testing tool should simulate real-world attacks and scan behind logins. This capability ensures a comprehensive assessment of an organization’s security posture.

Best Practices for Implementing Automated Penetration Testing

Clear objectives are vital for effective automated penetration testing. Set regular schedules, prioritizing critical assets for testing. There is a growing emphasis on automation to enhance the efficiency of security testing processes.

Integrating automated testing with existing security measures ensures alignment with the overall security strategy. This fortifies defenses and improves the ability to identify and remediate vulnerabilities.

Integrating with Existing Security Measures

Incorporating automated penetration testing within DevSecOps pipelines helps identify vulnerabilities during software development. Successful integration requires collaboration between development and security teams. Integrating with CI/CD pipelines automates regression testing after updates, enabling early detection of vulnerabilities.

Integrating findings from automated penetration tests with risk management platforms enhances overall security strategies. Such integration fortifies defenses against vulnerabilities and improves security posture.

Continuous Monitoring and Regular Assessments

Continuous monitoring aids in real-time threat detection. Automated testing integration with DevSecOps facilitates continuous security assessments throughout development. Automated penetration tests enable ongoing evaluations of security posture.

Conduct regular automated tests and ad hoc scans as needed. Scheduling automated tests helps establish baselines and compare results over time. Regularly evaluating and updating automated testing tools is necessary to adapt to new security threats and technological changes.

Combining Automated and Manual Testing

Combining automated and manual penetration testing leverages their strengths for thorough security assessments. A unified penetration testing strategy enhances overall resilience against cyber threats.

AI enhances vulnerability detection precision by performing sophisticated simulations mimicking real-world attack scenarios. AI-driven tools correlate vulnerabilities across multiple scanners to better identify complex attack vectors. This approach reduces false positives in vulnerability reporting by prioritizing vulnerabilities posing real business risks.

Machine learning algorithms adaptively refine detection methods based on historical vulnerability data.

The Role of AI and Machine Learning in Automated Penetration Testing

AI and machine learning enhance tools’ capabilities to predict vulnerabilities, shaping the future of automated penetration testing. These technologies improve the accuracy and efficiency of automated tests, enabling more precise vulnerability detection and risk prioritization.

Emerging trends involve AI integration for better accuracy in vulnerability detection, allowing tools to learn from past data and adapt to new threats. This continuous learning ensures potential risks are identified and prioritized more effectively, increasing overall security.

Enhancing Vulnerability Detection

AI enhances fuzzing in automated penetration testing by developing adaptive strategies based on past exploits. This ability allows for more sophisticated simulations of real-world attacks, improving security flaw detection. AI improves correlation by predicting how attackers might chain vulnerabilities, enabling accurate risk prioritization.

Integrating automated testing tools like FireCompass within existing security measures, ensures vulnerabilities are addressed early in the development lifecycle. This integration enhances your organization’s ability to detect and remediate vulnerabilities continuously and effectively.

Real-Time Threat Modeling

AI enhances automated penetration testing by analyzing real-time threat intelligence. Real-time analysis enables automated testing tools to adapt and counter emerging threats effectively. Integrating real-time intelligence from various security sources, AI can dynamically update testing parameters to counter new vulnerabilities.

This allows organizations to enhance their cybersecurity posture through timely and efficient automated penetration testing. Improved threat intelligence helps organizations stay ahead of emerging threats and ensure continuous protection against advanced cyber attacks.

Future Trends in Automated Penetration Testing

Technological advancements and complex threats drive rapid changes in automated penetration testing. AI and machine learning are pivotal, shaping the future of these tools by adapting to new threats through continuous real-time intelligence integration from various security sources.

AI performs continuous threat analysis, helping organizations stay ahead of emerging vulnerabilities that may not yet be identified. Analyzing emerging threats, AI empowers automated tools to preemptively adjust testing parameters to counter new vulnerabilities.

The future of automated penetration testing lies in leveraging advanced technologies like AI, machine learning, and platforms like FireCompass. These solutions enable real-time threat modeling, adaptive security assessments, and integration with DevSecOps workflows, ensuring organizations stay ahead of emerging threats.

Summary

Automated penetration testing is an essential tool for modern cybersecurity, providing continuous assessment and timely detection of vulnerabilities. By leveraging advanced technologies such as AI and machine learning, these tools can predict and counter emerging threats more effectively. The combination of automated and manual testing offers the most comprehensive approach to securing an organization’s assets.

As we move forward, integrating automated penetration testing within DevSecOps pipelines and utilizing advanced threat simulations will be crucial. Organizations must stay ahead of the curve by adopting these technologies and continuously updating their security measures. Embrace the future of cybersecurity with automated penetration testing to ensure your defenses are always one step ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is automated penetration testing?

Automated penetration testing utilizes software tools to simulate cyberattacks, effectively identifying and addressing system vulnerabilities on an ongoing basis. This approach enhances security by ensuring continuous evaluation of potential threats.

How does automated penetration testing differ from manual penetration testing?

Automated penetration testing utilizes scripts for routine tasks, making it efficient for common vulnerabilities, whereas manual penetration testing relies on expert insight to identify intricate security issues. Each method serves its purpose, but a combination often yields the best results.

What are the benefits of automated penetration testing?

Automated penetration testing offers significant benefits such as time savings, improved efficiency, and cost-effectiveness, while ensuring consistent assessments that enhance your organization's overall security posture.

What are the common challenges of automated penetration testing?

Automated penetration testing often faces challenges such as false positives, insufficient human oversight, and limitations in identifying complex vulnerabilities that necessitate manual evaluation. Therefore, a combination of automated and manual testing is advisable to ensure comprehensive security assessments.

How is AI enhancing automated penetration testing?

AI enhances automated penetration testing by improving vulnerability detection through learning from previous data, predicting potential attack chains, and facilitating real-time threat modeling, resulting in more accurate and efficient assessments.

CISA has raised the alarm about, the recently discovered CVE-2024-5910 in Palo Alto Networks’ Expedition tool. This vulnerability is being actively exploited, leaving organizations scrambling to secure their systems before attackers take advantage.

But here's the good news: you don't have to wait for the next patch or vulnerability report to react. With FireCompass, you can identify such risks and your exposure to the risk within the first 24 hours of a CVE’s release.

What is CVE-2024-5910 and Why Does It Matter?

CVE-2024-5910 is a critical vulnerability in Palo Alto Networks' Expedition tool, which is often used for firewall migration and tuning. The flaw lies in a missing authentication check on a crucial function, allowing an attacker with network access to potentially take over an admin account. This could lead to access to sensitive data like credentials and configuration secrets, posing severe risks to your network's security.

The vulnerability is especially concerning in government and enterprise environments, where Expedition is relied on for secure network management. If your organization uses this tool, you could already be at risk, especially if you're running a version below 1.2.92.

This CVE has been given a high severity rating, with a CVSSv4.0 score of 9.3, making it a significant threat. While Palo Alto Networks has released a patch to address the issue, the risk remains, especially for those who haven't yet updated to the latest version.

How Fast Can Attackers Exploit This Vulnerability?

The vulnerability's danger isn't just in its existence but in its exploitation. Initially discovered by Palo Alto Networks, the flaw saw increased attention when security researcher Zach Hanley from Horizon3.ai released a proof-of-concept (PoC) in October. This PoC demonstrated how the vulnerability could be chained with another flaw—CVE-2024-9464—to escalate the risk, allowing unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary commands on vulnerable servers remotely. This opens the door for attackers to take full control over firewall configurations, potentially giving them access to sensitive network areas.

CISA has added CVE-2024-5910 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) Catalog, meaning that U.S. federal agencies must secure their systems by November 28. This is a clear sign of the urgency involved—if the U.S. government is prioritizing patching, so should you.

The Real Danger: Exploiting the Exploitation Window

The exploitation window for vulnerabilities like CVE-2024-5910 is narrow, and once attackers find a way in, they can move quickly. The key to preventing these attacks is early detection and fast action. The good news? You don't have to rely on traditional methods like periodic penetration tests that might miss critical vulnerabilities.

With FireCompass’s Continuous Automated Red Teaming (CART), your organization can test for vulnerabilities like CVE-2024-5910 the moment they're discovered, not weeks or months later. By running continuous penetration tests, FireCompass ensures you're always on top of potential exploits, giving you the time you need to patch vulnerabilities before attackers can take advantage.

>>Want to stay ahead of emerging threats?
Join CISO Platform—the CyberSecurity Community to stay updated on the latest cybersecurity insights and strategies.

FireCompass Day 1 CVE Playbook: Find Critical Risks in 24 Hours Before It Gets Exploited

Here's where FireCompass comes in. In a world where vulnerabilities like CVE-2024-5910 can turn into full-blown attacks within hours, you need a proactive approach to cybersecurity. FireCompass helps you:

• Find Exposure Early: We help you detect vulnerabilities like CVE-2024-5910 within the first 24 hours of their release, ensuring you can act quickly before attackers exploit them.
• Run Continuous Penetration Testing: FireCompass continuously tests your network for vulnerabilities, so you're never caught off guard by a new CVE or emerging threat.
• Simulate Real-World Attacks: With our red teaming capabilities, we simulate real-world attack scenarios to identify vulnerabilities that could put your organization at risk.
• Prioritize Critical Risks: We help you focus on the vulnerabilities that matter most, so you can address the most dangerous risks first.

The key to defending against vulnerabilities like CVE-2024-5910 isn’t just about applying patches as they become available—it’s about identifying and fixing the vulnerabilities before they’re exploited.

>>Ready to get proactive?
FireCompass Day 1 CVE Playbook: Find Critical Risks in 24 Hours 

Mitigating CVE-2024-5910: What You Need to Do

If you’re running Expedition versions below 1.2.92, you’re vulnerable. Here's what you need to do to mitigate the risk:

1. Upgrade to Version 1.2.92 or Later: Palo Alto Networks has fixed CVE-2024-5910 in version 1.2.92. Make sure you're using an updated version to protect against this vulnerability.
2. Rotate Credentials: After upgrading, reset all credentials in Expedition and any associated firewalls. This helps protect against the misuse of any credentials that may have been compromised.
3. Restrict Network Access: If you're unable to apply the patch immediately, restrict network access to your Expedition servers. Use network segmentation and access control lists (ACLs) to limit exposure and protect your systems until you can patch.

While patching is critical, it’s not the only step you should take. Continuous testing and proactive monitoring can help you stay ahead of not just CVE-2024-5910 but any vulnerability that might arise.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Let Vulnerabilities Linger

Vulnerabilities are discovered every day, and new exploits are found even faster. We need to act before the hackers exploit these risks.

Sources:

https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?search_api_fulltext=CVE-2024-5910&field_date_added_wrapper=all&field_cve=&sort_by=field_date_added&items_per_page=20&url=

https://github.com/horizon3ai/CVE-2024-9464

https://security.paloaltonetworks.com/CVE-2024-5910


>>Want to stay ahead of emerging threats?
Join CISO Platform—the CyberSecurity Community to stay updated on the latest cybersecurity insights and strategies.

As per the SEBI circular "SEBI/HO/ ITD-1/ITD_CSC_EXT/P/CIR/2024/113" dated 20 Aug 2024 it is mandatory for all MIIs and Qualified REs to be compliant to the below DE.DP.S4 CART guidelines.

SEBI’s CART Requirement (SEBI/HO/ ITD-1/ITD_CSC_EXT/P/CIR/2024/113)

• SEBI Requirement 1: REs shall conduct red teaming exercises as part of their cybersecurity framework on a half-yearly basis through use of red/ blue teams.
  
  
• SEBI Requirement 2: CART solution shall be deployed for continuous, automated process of testing the security of the systems, and achieving greater visibility on attack surfaces.
  
  
• SEBI Requirement 3:For red teaming exercise, a red team may consist of REs employees and/ or outside experts. Additionally, the red team shall be independent of the function being tested.
  
  
• SEBI Requirement 4: The results of the red teaming exercise shall be placed before IT Committee for REs and Governing board. The lessons learned from conducting such red team exercises shall be shared with SEBI within 3 months after completion of the exercise. Status of the remediation of the observation found during the red team exercise shall be monitored by IT Committee for REs.

>> Learn How FireCompass Helps With SEBI & Compliance Ready Reports for Continuous Automated Red Teaming (CART)


Why SEBI’s New Guidelines Make Automated Red Teaming Essential for Security Teams

When was the last time you looked at your organization’s security as if you were the one trying to break in? SEBI’s recent guidelines on cybersecurity call for exactly that kind of relentless examination—and they want it continuous, automated, and adaptive.

FireCompass, a pioneer in Continuous Automated Red Teaming (CART), is leading the way in making this vision a reality. CART, a term coined by FireCompass, has caught the attention of the cybersecurity community and is now featured in over 30 industry reports from Gartner, Forrester, IDC, and others. But what makes CART and automated red teaming crucial, especially in India. Let’s dive into the value of these guidelines and how they’re transforming security.

Why SEBI’s Push for Automation is Groundbreaking

The call for continuous automated red teaming in SEBI’s guidelines marks a pivotal shift. Cyber threats are always evolving, and traditional, sporadic testing leaves gaps. Attackers don’t wait; they’re constantly looking for weak points, looking for ways in. SEBI’s guidelines now urge organizations to adopt automated methods like CART to identify vulnerabilities before attackers can exploit them.

For security teams, this is a game-changer. Traditional penetration testing is often point-in-time and may miss new vulnerabilities that surface after the test is completed. In contrast, CART allows security teams to mimic the relentless nature of attackers, assessing risks in real-time without the typical constraints of time and human resources.

The Role of CART in a Fast-Moving Threat Landscape

So, what makes Continuous Automated Red Teaming (CART) so effective? Think of CART as a kind of virtual scout, always on duty, tirelessly looking at the organization’s defenses. It’s designed to detect every crack, every hidden doorway, and every weakness that might go unnoticed with traditional pen testing.

Some benefits of CART include:

• Real-time Attack Simulation: CART works around the clock, simulating real-world attacks.
• Comprehensive Asset Discovery: By uncovering unknown assets, CART helps prevent blind spots in security.
• Faster Response to New Threats: Automated updates keep CART aligned with emerging threats.

FireCompass has been at the forefront of this innovation. Featured in over 30 analyst reports, including Gartner’s Hype Cycle, FireCompass’s CART solution gives CISOs and cybersecurity managers the edge they need to stay ahead of attackers.

>>Join CISO Platform - the CyberSecurity Community

What the SEBI Guidelines Mean for CISOs and Security Teams

For CISOs, CIOs, and security managers, SEBI’s guidelines underscore the need for continuous vigilance. By implementing CART, organizations can stay in line with these guidelines while protecting critical assets.

Here’s why SEBI’s focus on CART is so crucial:

1. Staying Ahead of Attackers: With the automation and regular updates of CART, organizations are less likely to be caught off guard by new tactics.

2. Improving Vulnerability Management: CART helps in discovering not only vulnerabilities but also unknown assets that might otherwise go undetected.

3. Optimizing Security Budgets: Automation in red teaming reduces the need for frequent, costly manual penetration tests, freeing up resources for other critical areas.

In essence, SEBI’s guidelines encourage organizations to take a proactive stance. Instead of waiting for attackers to reveal a weakness, CART enables security teams to uncover and address potential threats before they become incidents.

Key Questions That CISOs Asked & How CART (Continuous Automated Red Teaming) Can Help resolve It

• CISO Question 1: How can we ensure we're not missing critical vulnerabilities between pen tests?"
  Pen tests are point-in-time assessments and don’t reflect the continuously evolving attack surface. Attackers don’t wait for your schedule, so relying on periodic testing leaves blind spots. At FireCompass, we use Continuous Automated Red Teaming (CART) to run continuous attack simulations on your assets, identifying vulnerabilities 24/7, without the delays of traditional pen testing.

• CISO Question 2: I am worried that traditional pen tests & red teaming give a false sense of security 
  

  Most security teams react after an attack simulation or pen test shows a vulnerability. However, attackers are continuously scanning your systems. By the time vulnerabilities are discovered and addressed, attackers might already be ahead.  FireCompass Continuous Automated Red Teaming (CART) mirrors this behavior by constantly scanning and identifying potential attack vectors, helping you stay ahead of attackers by knowing what they know about your network at all times. 

  
  
• CISO Question 3: ASM tools give a lot of false positives, how do I know the real vulnerabilities and prioritize what to fix first?
  FireCompass has a new approach with Continuous Automated Red Teaming. Unlike traditional ASM, our platform integrates active AI-driven scans on the discovered attack surface to eliminate false positives and reduce alert fatigue through risk-based prioritization.
  

>>Get a Complimentary Gartner Hype Cycle for Continuous Automated Red Teaming (CART)


How FireCompass Pioneered Continuous Automated Red Teaming

FireCompass’s CART solution stands out for its blend of automation and effectiveness. By coining the term CART and developing an industry-leading solution, FireCompass has changed the game for security teams worldwide.

Featured in numerous reports, including Gartner’s, FireCompass’s CART continues to receive recognition for its innovative approach. This solution simplifies complex, continuous testing, putting advanced red teaming within reach of organizations of any size.

>> Learn How Continuous Automated Red Teaming (CART) Prioritizes Initial Access Points

Conclusion: Adapting to the New Norm of Continuous Security With CART

The new SEBI guidelines emphasize a paradigm shift in how organizations approach security testing. With CART and automated red teaming, security leaders can confidently protect their organizations and meet regulatory expectations.

FireCompass’s CART solution, with its advanced features and proven efficacy, is here to help organizations in India, the Middle East, and beyond keep up with SEBI’s evolving requirements. In today’s cyber landscape, that’s a step no security team can afford to skip.

Selecting the right attack surface management vendor is essential for safeguarding sensitive data and securing your organization against vulnerabilities. Attack surface management involves identifying and mitigating risks across your digital footprint. In this guide, we will explore the top attack surface management vendors of 2024, their key features, and benefits to help you make informed decisions.

Key Takeaways

• Top vendors such as FireCompass, UpGuard, Palo Alto Networks, and Mandiant offer comprehensive solutions for effective attack surface management, each with unique features tailored to enhance cybersecurity.

• Key features to consider in ASM solutions include comprehensive asset discovery, continuous security monitoring, and risk prioritization, all of which are crucial for identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities.

• Emerging trends in ASM emphasize the integration of AI and machine learning, the alignment with DevSecOps, and the need for robust security measures for IoT and cloud environments in response to evolving cyber threats.

Top Attack Surface Management Vendors

Choosing the appropriate ASM vendor safeguards your organization’s sensitive data and minimizes breach exposure.

Here are some of the top vendors in the market today that excel in providing comprehensive attack surface management solutions.

FireCompass

FireCompass stands out with its Next Gen EASM, which combines passive and active reconnaissance with pen testing playbooks. Their AI-based learning significantly reduces false positives and actively validates discovered risks, helping organizations focus on genuine threats and reduce alert fatigue.

With continuous risk-hunting playbooks, FireCompass identifies critical risks within 24 hours, providing real-time alerts and proactive threat detection.

>>Outspeed Attackers with AI-Powered Penetration Testing & ASM

UpGuard

UpGuard is designed to benefit companies of all sizes. It offers continuous attack surface monitoring, helping organizations stay updated on their digital risks and enhance their security posture. UpGuard’s features help security teams manage risks and enhance their overall cybersecurity strategy.

Palo Alto Networks

Palo Alto Networks provides extensive visibility into internet-facing assets, enhancing security management. Known for its robust capabilities in attack surface management, it offers organizations the tools necessary to secure their internal and corporate networks. This ensures a strong cybersecurity posture and comprehensive protection against potential threats.

Mandiant Advantage

Mandiant focuses on comprehensive external attack surface management, identifying and mitigating risks in real-time. With continuous monitoring, Mandiant quickly identifies new vulnerabilities and threats. Their expert threat analysis combines threat intelligence with manual review, significantly enhancing the overall security posture of organizations.

Key Features to Look for in ASM Solutions

When considering an ASM solution, it’s essential to look for specific features that ensure comprehensive protection. Key functionalities include asset discovery and vulnerability scanning tailored to your business needs, continuous monitoring, and risk prioritization.

These features help organizations identify and address potential vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.

Comprehensive Asset Discovery

The initial stage of an ASM solution involves the discovery of internet-facing digital assets, which is crucial for understanding an organization’s exposure to threats. Known assets include devices, systems, and applications authorized to connect to the network, while unknown assets may include rogue devices and unauthorized systems.

ASM tools provide in-depth visibility into an organization’s IT environment, automating the discovery of external assets to help maintain an updated inventory of network exposure.

Continuous Security Monitoring

Ongoing monitoring ensures continuous scrutiny of vulnerabilities and changes in the IT environment. ASM solutions provide real-time alerts for immediate response to identified threats, which is essential for timely remediation efforts.

Including ASM in DevSecOps pipelines enhances software development security by addressing vulnerabilities early.

Risk Prioritization and Scoring

ASM tools should facilitate risk scoring by evaluating the likelihood of exploitation and potential impact on the organization, especially in the context of threat actors. Organizations need to evaluate the likelihood of exploitation, potential attack impact, and remediation difficulty when prioritizing vulnerabilities.

Tailoring observations and recommendations from assessments to focus on high-impact issues enhances an organization’s ability to manage risks effectively.

>>Click Here To Checkout The Questions To Ask While Selecting An External Attack Surface Management (EASM) Vendor

Benefits of Using Attack Surface Management Vendors

Engaging with ASM vendors offers several benefits, including increased visibility into an organization’s attack surface, proactive threat mitigation, and streamlined compliance efforts. These benefits help organizations enhance their cybersecurity posture and manage risks more effectively.

Enhanced Visibility

UpGuard assists organizations in preventing data breaches. It also monitors third-party vendors, which significantly enhances their overall security posture. Attack surface scoring is an important method utilized to evaluate an organization’s security posture in relation to exposed assets. Enhanced visibility is crucial for effectively managing attack surfaces and providing detailed insights into exposed assets.

Proactive Threat Mitigation

Automated attack surface management software helps security teams monitor and manage vulnerabilities as they appear. Proactive threat mitigation focuses on identifying and mitigating potential vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. This method allows security teams to swiftly address issues and prevent the escalation of cyber risks.

Streamlined Compliance

ASM ensures organizations meet regulatory standards by identifying security gaps and complying with regulations like GDPR and HIPAA. ASM solutions’ continuous monitoring helps organizations adhere to regulatory standards and avoid penalties.

This helps protect sensitive data and maintain compliance with industry regulations.

Challenges Addressed by ASM Vendors

ASM vendors address several challenges in managing an organization’s attack surface, including identifying unknown assets, keeping up with evolving threats, and integrating with existing security tools. These challenges are critical to maintaining a robust cybersecurity posture.

Managing Unknown Assets

Organizations often struggle to track and manage their assets due to rapidly changing infrastructure that can quickly introduce new vulnerabilities. Malicious or rogue assets deployed by cybercriminals pose significant threats today.

ASM vendors help discover and manage these unknown assets, reducing exposure to risks.

Keeping Up with Evolving Threats

The nature of cyber threats is dynamic, requiring organizations to continuously adapt their defenses. Attackers can scan for vulnerable systems in less than an hour, emphasizing the need for up-to-date defenses.

Effective ASM provides contextual information to prioritize fixes and address the most significant risks and impacts.

Integrating with Existing Security Tools

Seamless integration with existing security operations is crucial for maintaining a cohesive defense strategy against potential threats. Integration ensures all security tools work together efficiently, helping organizations respond to threats effectively.

How to Choose the Right ASM Vendor

Selecting the right ASM vendor requires understanding your organization’s specific security requirements and how vendors can meet them. This involves assessing security needs, evaluating vendor capabilities, and considering budget and ROI.

Assessing Your Security Needs

After identifying all assets, the next step in attack surface management is to ensure visibility and comprehend their security implications. It’s essential to map these identified assets to specific business units and integrate them with SOC tools for better monitoring and management.

Regularly assessing and addressing security gaps helps maintain robust defenses.

Evaluating Vendor Capabilities

Look for ASM vendors with proven reputations and recognition from reputable third-party analysts. Assessing vendor capabilities ensures they match your organizational goals and security needs.

Considering Budget and ROI

Balancing ASM solution costs with your budget while ensuring positive returns on your cybersecurity investment is crucial. Assessing the financial investment against the potential return in enhanced security and risk mitigation is key to making an informed decision.

>>Click here To See The Key Capability Matrix for Evaluating External Attack Surface Management EASM Vendors

Emerging Trends in Attack Surface Management

The growing emphasis on ASM is driven by the need for organizations to defend against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. Emerging trends in ASM include AI and machine learning, integration with DevSecOps, and the expansion of IoT and cloud security.

AI and Machine Learning

Advanced threat detection capabilities will improve as AI and machine learning analyze large datasets to identify potential security threats more accurately. Integrating AI and machine learning into ASM tools enhances threat detection and optimizes incident response times.

Integration with DevSecOps

Combining ASM with DevSecOps strengthens security protocols within development pipelines. ASM tools can automatically detect new applications or services, ensuring timely vulnerability assessments.

This integration allows for immediate feedback on security postures following changes in code or infrastructure.

Expansion of IoT and Cloud Security

The incorporation of specialized IoT assessment capabilities is essential for managing the unique security challenges posed by IoT devices. Securing IoT devices and cloud services infrastructures is becoming critical as these areas expand, introducing new vulnerabilities.

Future ASM solutions must focus on managing security across multi-cloud environments to tackle complex attack surface challenges.

Summary

In summary, attack surface management is essential for protecting organizations against evolving cyber threats. Selecting the right ASM vendor involves understanding your security needs, evaluating vendor capabilities, and considering budget and ROI. Key features like comprehensive asset discovery, continuous monitoring, and risk prioritization are crucial for effective ASM. By leveraging these features, organizations can enhance their visibility, mitigate threats proactively, and streamline compliance efforts.

Staying ahead of emerging trends like AI and machine learning, integration with DevSecOps, and the expansion of IoT and cloud security will ensure your organization remains resilient against future threats. Take proactive steps in managing your attack surface to safeguard your digital assets and maintain a robust security posture.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Attack Surface Management (ASM)?

Attack Surface Management (ASM) is essential for organizations as it focuses on identifying, monitoring, and managing digital assets to minimize vulnerabilities and enhance protection against cyber threats. By providing a comprehensive view of the attack surface, ASM aids in prioritizing remediation efforts and significantly reduces the risk of cyberattacks.

Why is continuous monitoring important in ASM?

Continuous monitoring is vital in Adaptive Security Management (ASM) as it facilitates real-time detection of vulnerabilities and threats, enabling organizations to promptly respond and maintain a strong security posture. This ongoing vigilance is essential for adapting to the ever-evolving IT landscape.

How do ASM solutions help with regulatory compliance?

ASM solutions aid organizations in achieving regulatory compliance by identifying security gaps, continuously monitoring assets, and generating essential reports, thereby ensuring adherence to standards such as GDPR and HIPAA while safeguarding sensitive data and mitigating penalties.

What are the key features to look for in an ASM solution?

A comprehensive ASM solution should prioritize features such as asset discovery, continuous security monitoring, and risk assessment capabilities. These elements are essential for effectively identifying and mitigating potential vulnerabilities in a timely manner.

How do AI and machine learning enhance ASM solutions?

AI and machine learning significantly enhance ASM solutions by improving threat detection accuracy through the analysis of large datasets and optimizing incident response times, thereby increasing the overall effectiveness of security measures.

The Gartner Hype Cycle 2024 shows how existing technologies have been integrated into broader platforms for more comprehensive exposure management.

Key changes in Gartner Hype Cycle 2024:

• Exposure Assessment Platforms now include both :

  • vulnerability assessment and
  • vulnerability prioritization technologies

• Adversarial Exposure Validation (added in 2024) now incorporates:

  • breach attack simulation
  • autonomous penetration testing and red teaming

Key Learnings From Gartner Hype Cycle: Adversarial Exposure Validation

• Adversarial Exposure Validation: This process uses automated tools to consistently and continuously validate how feasible various attack scenarios are. It demonstrates not just the existence but the exploitability of security exposures, deploying primarily through SaaS with agents or virtual machines.

• Convergence of Tools in Adversarial Exposure Validation: Automated penetration testing & red teaming tools and breach and attack simulation vendors have evolved into adversarial exposure validation providers, offering flexible, easy-to-deploy products that improve assessment reliability and efficiency.

  • breach attack simulation
  • autonomous penetration testing
  • autonomous red teaming 

Business Impact of Adversarial Exposure Validation/ Automated Pen Testing

• Confirms potential exposure to specific threats by taking the attackers’ perspective.
• Evaluates the efficacy of attacks through existing security controls.
• Highlights vulnerable paths to the organization’s most critical assets.
• Assists security teams in prioritizing strategic initiatives.
• Helps evaluate the value of acquired technologies.
• Complements exposure assessments by providing continuous execution of attack scenarios.

CISO Use Cases For Adversarial Exposure Validation/ Automated Pen Testing

Cyber Security has rapidly evolved by including AI-driven tools like Generative Pre-trained Transformers (GPTs). Here's an overview of the impactful cyber security GPTs that might be helpful for Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and their security teams.

1. Cyber Security Career Mentor

   • Benefits: Offers expert career guidance specifically for those entering the cyber security field.
   • Function: Provides tailored advice to help individuals grow in their careers.
   • Pros:
     • Expert advice from Nathan House of StationX.
     • Tailored guidance for beginners.
   • Cons:
     • Primarily focused on newcomers, it may not be as beneficial for seasoned professionals.
       

2. Cyber Charli

   • Benefits: Educates children on cyber security using engaging methods.
   • Function: Utilizes stories and games to teach kids aged 8-12.
   • Pros:
     • Interactive learning for younger audiences.
     • Available in both English and Dutch.
   • Cons:
     • Limited to basic concepts suitable for children.
       

3. Betterscan.io AI Code Analyzer

   • Benefits: Enhances code quality by identifying bugs and security vulnerabilities.
   • Function: Reviews and analyzes code across various languages.
   • Pros:
     • Supports multiple programming languages.
     • Comprehensive code improvement suggestions.
   • Cons:
     • Requires accurate code inputs for effective analysis.
       

4. Code Securely

   • Benefits: Strengthens coding practices through active learning.
   • Function: Offers exercises based on the OWASP Top 10 to practice secure coding.
   • Pros:
     • Hands-on learning approach.
     • Focused on real-world coding vulnerabilities.
   • Cons:
     • Users need foundational coding knowledge to start.
       

5. GP(en)T(ester)

   • Benefits: Guides users in penetration testing with bilingual support.
   • Function: Provides ethical hacking advice and a pentesting cheat sheet.
   • Pros:
     • Supports English and Spanish.
     • Friendly and supportive tone.
   • Cons:
     • May be too generalized for advanced penetration testers.
       

6. HackTricksGPT

   • Benefits: Offers comprehensive advice on ethical hacking and digital protection.
   • Function: Provides tailored responses based on user knowledge.
   • Pros:
     • Extensive information from the 'HackTricks' book series.
     • Adjustable technical depth.
   • Cons:
     • Users need some base level of hacking knowledge to fully benefit.
       

7. MagicUnprotect

   • Benefits: Educates on various malware evasion techniques.
   • Function: Explains and identifies obfuscation algorithms and evasion strategies.
   • Pros:
     • Covers a wide range of malware evasion techniques.
     • Guidance on YARA, Sigma, and Capa rules creation.
   • Cons:
     • Restricted from being used for malicious purposes.
       

8. Pentest Reporter

   • Benefits: Assists in the creation of pentest reports.
   • Function: Provides structure and suggestions for report elements.
   • Pros:
     • Simplifies the report-writing process.
     • Helps organize key report components.
   • Cons:
     • Does not generate complete reports.
       

9. ATT&CK Mate

   • Benefits: Informs on the latest tactics and techniques using the ATT&CK Framework.
   • Function: Offers guidance based on the MITRE ATT&CK Framework.
   • Pros:
     • Comprehensive and up-to-date information.
     • Uses additional vetted sources for reliability.
   • Cons:
     • Best suited for users familiar with the ATT&CK Framework.
       

10. CVEs

    • Benefits: Provides detailed vulnerability assessments.
    • Function: Looks up and presents information on CVEs.
    • Pros:
      • Structured and comprehensive vulnerability details.
      • Easy access to solutions and workarounds.
    • Cons:
      • Offers data-driven insights, needing interpretation by a knowledgeable user.
        

11. Threat Intel Bot

    • Benefits: Keeps users informed on APT threat intelligence.
    • Function: Aggregates threat data from multiple credible sources.
    • Pros:
      • Up-to-date with recent cyber security developments.
      • Draws from a wide range of information providers.
    • Cons:
      • Requires periodic updates for the most current insights.
        

12. Threat Modelling

    • Benefits: Helps identify and mitigate potential threats in system architectures.
    • Function: Provides analysis and strategies based on uploaded system diagrams.
    • Pros:
      • In-depth threat identification and mitigation strategies.
      • Useful for detailed system architecture analysis.
    • Cons:
      • Requires detailed input for the most accurate analysis.
        

13. CyberGuard

    • Benefits: Simplifies network security setup for novices.
    • Function: Provides solutions for home and small enterprise networks.
    • Pros:
      • Easy for beginners to understand and implement.
      • Customized solutions based on user input.
    • Cons:
      • Geared more towards users with little IT knowledge.
        

14. SOC Copilot

    • Benefits: Supports SOC analysts with specialized cyber security needs.
    • Function: Offers guidance on IoC detection, compliance, and more.
    • Pros:
      • Comprehensive toolkit for SOC operations.
      • Enhances efficiency of SOC analysts.
    • Cons:
      • Designed for users already familiar with SOC functions.

Conclusion

The above GPT tools serve as a robust arsenal for CISOs aiming to fortify their organization's cyber defenses. By adopting these AI-powered solutions, security leaders can enhance both offensive and defensive strategies, ultimately leading to a more secure digital environment.

Here’s a capability matrix that organizations can refer to when evaluating potential attack surface management or external attack surface management or EASM vendors. 

Capability Matrix for Evaluating EASM Vendors

This capability matrix provides a structured approach for organizations evaluating EASM vendors, enabling them to focus on critical aspects that will affect their cybersecurity posture. By asking the right questions, organizations can ensure they choose a solution that aligns with their needs, budget, and strategic goals in mitigating cybersecurity risks. 

Here is an interesting blog on What to Ask a Vendor While Selecting an External Attack Surface Management (EASM) Vendor.

This blog discusses essential questions that organizations should consider when evaluating potential EASM vendors, focusing on features, support, and integration capabilities.

External Attack Surface Management (EASM) is a critical component in identifying and mitigating potential vulnerabilities. However, with numerous vendors offering EASM solutions, how can you be sure you’re making the right choice? To help you navigate this decision, we’ve compiled a list of key questions to ask potential EASM vendors when selecting a solution.

>>Click Here To See The Key Capability Matrix for Evaluating External Attack Surface Management EASM Vendors

1. What Coverage Do Your Asset Discovery Features Provide?

Understanding the extent of your attack surface starts with knowing what assets are present. Ask potential vendors about the breadth of their asset discovery features.

• What types of assets do you cover (e.g., servers, cloud services, IoT devices)?
• How frequently is the asset database updated?
• Can your solution discover both on-premises and cloud-based assets?

A comprehensive asset discovery is foundational for any EASM strategy.

2. Do You Conduct Vulnerability Assessments On Discovered Assets?

Vulnerability assessment is one of the core capabilities of an EASM solution. Understanding how a vendor conducts these assessments is essential.

• Do you do vulnerability scanning and assessment of discovered assets to identify security weaknesses and misconfigurations?
• Do you provide custom scanning options?

Inquire about the reliability and accuracy of their scanning to gauge their ability to identify weaknesses in your environment effectively.

3. Do You Prioritize The Risks Discovered Based on Their Severity & Impact?

Many EASM tools give too many alerts, but not all vulnerabilities pose the same level of risk. It’s crucial to know how vendors prioritize vulnerabilities based on potential impact and exploitability.

• Do you prioritize risks based on their severity?
• Do you prioritize risks based on their Impact and exploitability?
• Do you provide actionable insights or the logic for prioritization?

A solid risk assessment framework ensures that the most critical vulnerabilities are addressed first.

4. How Do You Deal With False Positives & False Negatives?

False positives can cause alert fatigue and missed critical threats. Many EASM platforms need significant manual effort to remove false positives, which increases the Total Cost Of Ownership. Knowing how the vendor deals with false positives and negatives can influence your decision. A combination of passive recon and active recon can significantly reduce false positives and false negatives.

• Do you have passive recon and active recon?
• Do you create contextual attribution to create a detailed graph of entities and relationships?
• Do you validate discovered risks to reduce false positives?

Choosing a vendor that provides passive and active recon, along with validation of discovered risks, can improve the overall effectiveness of the EASM solution.

5. Do You Have Continuous Attack Surface Monitoring Capabilities?

Continuous monitoring is vital to maintaining a secure attack surface. Ask vendors about their monitoring features and how they handle notifications for newly discovered vulnerabilities.

• How frequently do you monitor the attack surface for changes?
• Do you show the delta changes for a day, month or a specific amount of time in history?
• What types of alerts do you provide?

Real-time monitoring and effective alerting can drastically reduce response times to emerging threats.

6. Does Your Product Provide Remediation Guidance?

Identifying vulnerabilities is just the first step; mitigating them is where the real work begins. Understanding the vendor's approach to remediation guidance is paramount.

• Do you provide detailed remediation steps for discovered vulnerabilities?

A vendor that offers actionable remediation guidance significantly enhances your organization's security posture.

7. Do You Have Reporting and Analytics Capabilities For The Overall Risk Posture?

Reporting and analytics are critical for understanding your overall security posture and making informed decisions.

• What types of reports can your solution generate?
• Can reports be customized to fit our specific needs?
• Do you offer visual analytics or dashboards for a quick overview of our overall risk posture?

At a glance, you should be able to obtain insights that are easy to understand and actionable.

8. Can The Product Integrate With Third Party Tools To Create Automatic Incident Tickets?

An EASM solution should fit seamlessly into your existing cybersecurity infrastructure. Understanding integration capabilities is vital.

• What third-party tools can your EASM solution integrate with?
• Do you support automated ticket creation in incident management systems?

A cohesive ecosystem enhances overall cybersecurity effectiveness.

9. Do You Have Managed Services For Setup & Help?

Comprehensive support for set up and training are essential components of a successful EASM implementation. Knowing what the vendor offers in this regard can influence your decision.

• Do you have a team to support or help in setup?
• Do you offer ongoing support and how can we access it?

Choosing a vendor that provides robust support and training can ease the adoption process and improve the overall effectiveness of the solution.

10. What is the Pricing Model?

Remember That The Total Cost Of Ownership (TCO) Can Significantly Increase With Things Like Removing False Positives Or Buying Managed Services For Setup.

Finally, understanding the vendor's pricing model is essential for budget planning.

• What are the costs associated with your solution, including any hidden fees?
• Do you offer different pricing tiers based on features or usage?
• What is your policy on contract length and renewal?

Being clear about costs upfront helps avoid budgeting surprises down the line.

>> Click Here To Checkout The Best Attack Surface Management Vendors in 2024

Conclusion

Selecting the right EASM vendor is a significant step in your organization's cybersecurity journey. By asking these key questions, you can ensure that you're choosing a solution that meets your needs, fits your budget, and ultimately strengthens your security posture against evolving threats. Remember, a well-informed decision can make all the difference in safeguarding your organization's critical assets.

On July 19, 2024, a CrowdStrike update caused a global IT outage, impacting millions of Windows devices. In this article on ‘crowdstrike microsoft outage and what we learned as CISOs,’ we explore the event’s specifics and discuss key lessons for IT leaders. Understanding the root cause and response strategies will guide future cybersecurity practices.

Key Takeaways

• On July 19, 2024, a faulty CrowdStrike sensor configuration update caused a global IT outage affecting approximately 8.5 million Windows devices, with widespread system crashes across multiple industries.

• The incident led to significant disruptions in essential services such as air travel, emergency services, and hospitals, highlighting the critical need for robust business continuity plans and thorough testing of software updates before deployment.

• In response to the crisis, CrowdStrike and Microsoft collaborated to provide remediation tools and clear communication to affected customers, demonstrating the importance of swift recovery efforts and transparent communication during IT disruptions.

The CrowdStrike Update Incident

On July 19, 2024, the cybersecurity world was shaken by a global IT outage caused by a faulty sensor configuration update released by CrowdStrike for Windows systems. This silent update, pushed out to CrowdStrike’s Falcon agent, contained a critical logic error that led to widespread system crashes, including the notorious system crash and blue screen of death (BSOD) errors. A misconfigured update from CrowdStrike was identified as the root cause of the incident, disrupting approximately 8.5 million Windows devices worldwide.

The impact was immediate and far-reaching. Systems running Falcon sensor for Windows version 7.11 or higher were particularly affected, leading to chaos across numerous industries. The faulty CrowdStrike update triggered a cascade of system failures, highlighting the vulnerabilities inherent in our reliance on automated updates and the potential for a single misstep to cause a global IT outage.

As the dust settled, it became clear that this incident was not a result of a cyberattack but rather a preventable error within CrowdStrike’s update process. The incident underscored the need for rigorous testing and validation of updates before deployment, a lesson resonating throughout the cybersecurity community.

Immediate Impact on Businesses

The fallout from the faulty CrowdStrike update was felt across a wide array of sectors, causing widespread disruptions to essential services. Some of the impacts included:

• Air travel came to a standstill as flights were grounded, leaving passengers stranded and causing significant economic losses.

• Emergency services, including 911 lines, were disrupted, jeopardizing public safety and leaving operators unable to respond to critical situations.

• In hospitals, operations were significantly hindered, with surgeries and other essential medical services being canceled.

Retailers were forced to close their doors for the day, and financial transactions were stalled, affecting everything from stock trading to everyday banking activities. The incident served as a stark reminder of how interconnected and reliant our modern enterprises are on IT systems. Businesses scrambled to recover, seeking ways to mitigate the impact and restore normalcy. This chaotic scenario emphasized the need for robust business continuity plans and preparation for unexpected occurrences.

Response from CrowdStrike and Microsoft 

In the wake of the incident, both CrowdStrike and Microsoft mobilized swiftly to address the situation, providing remediation steps and assisting affected customers. CrowdStrike took immediate action by identifying the problematic content update and reverting the changes. At the same time, Microsoft worked alongside CrowdStrike to offer recovery tools and detailed instructions.

Importance of Testing Updates

Testing updates in isolated environments is essential to identify potential issues without affecting live systems. Organizations are advised to stage updates before deployment, allowing for thorough examination of their impact on system performance. Sandboxing environments are crucial for safely testing updates, helping to:

• Identify bugs and vulnerabilities that could affect production systems

• Ensure the updates do not cause any performance issues

• Test the compatibility of the updates with existing systems and software

By testing updates in a sandboxing environment, organizations can minimize the risk of disruptions and ensure a smooth deployment process.

By implementing these practices, organizations can mitigate the risk of deploying faulty updates and ensure the stability of their IT infrastructure. Adopting a proactive approach to update management, as illustrated by the CrowdStrike incident, highlights the importance of rigorous testing and validation.

Future Directions for IT Management

In light of the CrowdStrike incident, CIOs & CISOs are re-evaluating their cloud strategies and focusing on building resilience within their IT environments. The subsequent sections will focus on future IT management considerations, including investments in data resilience, enhancing team collaboration, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Timeline of Events

The CrowdStrike-induced Microsoft outage began on July 19, 2024, at 04:09 UTC. Here is a timeline of events:

• CrowdStrike released a sensor configuration update that included a flawed channel file 291.

• Affected systems started experiencing crashes and BSODs shortly after downloading the faulty update.

• Disruptions peaked between 04:09 and 05:27 UTC.

• By 05:27 UTC, CrowdStrike had identified the problem and reverted the faulty update.

This swift identification and retraction of the problematic update were crucial in mitigating further damage and beginning the recovery process. The sequence of events emphasizes the significance of a swift response and effective incident management in handling IT disruptions.

Case Studies of Affected Organizations

The outage caused by the faulty CrowdStrike update had significant repercussions for major services and organizations. Some of the impacts included:

• Windows systems displaying Blue Screens of Death, rendering them unusable for critical periods

• Major news services like Sky News being disrupted, affecting their ability to broadcast and report news in real-time

• The aviation sector being particularly hard hit, with airlines such as United, Delta, and American Airlines facing significant flight disruptions

• These disruptions grounding flights and stranding passengers, causing economic losses and logistical nightmares.

Tailoring approaches to fit each business’s unique requirements proved essential in mitigating the impact of the outage. For instance, government agencies and large enterprises had to deploy specialized teams to address the issue, while smaller businesses leveraged external IT support to recover. These case studies emphasize the need for flexible and adaptive IT strategies that can be promptly deployed to address specific needs and reduce downtime.

Effect on Stocks After The Incident

CrowdStrike erased all 2024 gains, down 30% since the incident. There has been a series of downgrades. For comparison, Solarwinds lost around 40% value after their event (you can learn more about the lessons learned from the Solarwinds hack here: https://www.cisoplatform.com/event/fireside-chat-lessons-learnt-from-the-solarwinds-attack). Everyone is looking at Crowdstrike to see how they will manage their customers and help them recover their systems.

Summary

The CrowdStrike-induced Microsoft outage of July 2024 serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities in our interconnected IT systems. From the initial faulty sensor configuration update to the widespread disruptions and the collaborative recovery efforts, this incident highlights the critical importance of rigorous update testing, robust business continuity plans, and resilient IT management strategies. As we move forward, it is imperative for CIOs and IT leaders to prioritize data resilience, foster collaboration, and maintain regulatory compliance to safeguard against future disruptions. By learning from this incident, we can build stronger, more secure IT infrastructures capable of withstanding the challenges of an ever-evolving digital landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

What caused the CrowdStrike-induced Microsoft outage?

The CrowdStrike-induced Microsoft outage was caused by a faulty sensor configuration update for Windows systems that resulted in widespread system crashes and blue screen errors.

Which sectors were most affected by the outage?

The outage most affected air travel, emergency services, hospital operations, and financial transactions. These sectors experienced severe impacts due to the outage.

How did CrowdStrike and Microsoft respond to the incident?

CrowdStrike and Microsoft collaborated to identify and address the issue by reverting the faulty update and providing recovery tools and instructions for affected customers.

What challenges were faced during the recovery process in cloud environments?

Recovery in cloud environments was complex, requiring manual interventions such as shutting down virtual servers and cloning disks. This highlights the need for robust cloud management practices.

What lessons can CIOs & CISOs learn from this incident?

CIOs can learn the importance of proactive measures, thorough testing of updates, robust business continuity plans, and diversified patching strategies to enhance their IT infrastructure's resilience. Being prepared for potential incidents is crucial for maintaining a reliable IT environment.

CISA released 7 Industrial Control Systems (ICS) advisories in July, which provide timely information about current security vulnerabilities and exploits.

1> Johnson Controls Kantech Door Controllers

ICSA-24-184-01 Johnson Controls Kantech Door Controllers

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• CVSS v3 3.1
• ATTENTION: Exploitable via adjacent network
• Vendor: Johnson Controls, Inc.
• Equipment: Kantech KT1, KT2, KT400 Door Controllers
• Vulnerability: Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor

RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow an attacker to gain access to sensitive information.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

The following products by Kantech, a subsidiary of Johnson Controls, are affected:

• Kantech KT1 Door Controller, Rev01: Versions 2.09.01 and prior
• Kantech KT2 Door Controller, Rev01: Versions 2.09.01 and prior
• Kantech KT400 Door Controller, Rev01: Versions 3.01.16 and prior

2> mySCADA myPRO

ICSA-24-184-02 mySCADA myPRO

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• CVSS v4 9.3
• ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely/low attack complexity
• Vendor: mySCADA
• Equipment: myPRO
• Vulnerability: Use of Hard-coded Password

RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow an attacker to remotely execute code on the affected device.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

AFFECTED PRODUCTS

The following mySCADA products are affected:

• myPRO: Versions prior to 8.31.0

3> ICONICS and Mitsubishi Electric Products

ICSA-24-184-03 ICONICS and Mitsubishi Electric Products

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• CVSS v3 7.0
• ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely
• Vendor: ICONICS, Mitsubishi Electric
• Equipment: ICONICS Product Suite
• Vulnerabilities: Allocation of Resources Without Limits or Throttling, Improper Neutralization, Uncontrolled Search Path Element, Improper Authentication, Unsafe Reflection

RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities could result in denial of service, improper privilege management, or potentially remote code execution.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

AFFECTED PRODUCTS

ICONICS reports that the following versions of ICONICS Product Suite are affected:

• ICONICS Suite including GENESIS64, Hyper Historian, AnalytiX, and MobileHMI: Version 10.97.2 (CVE-2023-2650, CVE-2023-4807)
• AlarmWorX Multimedia (AlarmWorX64 MMX): All versions prior to 10.97.3 (CVE-2024-1182)
• MobileHMI: All versions prior to 10.97.3 (CVE-2024-1573)
• ICONICS Suite including GENESIS64, Hyper Historian, AnalytiX, and MobileHMI: All versions prior to 10.97.3 (CVE-2024-1574)

4> Johnson Controls Illustra Essentials Gen 4 (Update A)

ICSA-24-179-04 Johnson Controls Illustra Essentials Gen 4 (Update A)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• CVSS v3 9.1
• ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely/low attack complexity
• Vendor: Johnson Controls, Inc.
• Equipment: Illustra Essentials Gen 4
• Vulnerability: Improper Input Validation

RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow an attacker to inject commands.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

AFFECTED PRODUCTS

Johnson Controls reports that the following versions of Illustra Essentials Gen 4 IP camera are affected:

• Illustra Essentials Gen 4: all versions up to Illustra.Ess4.01.02.10.5982

5> Johnson Controls Illustra Essentials Gen 4 (Update A)

Simply put,penetration testing as a service or PTaaS is a continuous guard against cyber threats, offering an ongoing cycle of testing that traditional penetration tests don’t provide. This service combines the insights of security experts with the efficiency of automated scanning to help businesses stay ahead of security breaches. We’ll unpack PTaaS in this article, clarifying its role and advantages in a digestible format for businesses navigating the complexities of cybersecurity.

Key Takeaways

• PTaaS offers continuous, on-demand penetration testing services. It employs both automated tools and human expertise to detect vulnerabilities and protect against evolving cyber threats.

• PTaaS incorporates a range check types, including network-level, application, and system-wide assessments, ensuring comprehensive security coverage tailored to an organization’s unique digital landscape.

• The integration of PTaaS into business processes, especially within DevSecOps, enhances cybersecurity at every stage of the software development lifecycle and aligns pentesting with business objectives and strategies.

Decoding Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS)

Penetration testing, the art of simulating cyber-attacks to find weaknesses before the bad guys do, has evolved. The traditional approach of periodic ‘traditional pentests’ is now outshone by the continuous and dynamic nature of PTaaS. Imagine having a team of cyber experts and automated systems constantly patrolling your network, ready to adapt to new threats at a moment’s notice.

This encapsulates PTaaS, a service model that guarantees your defenses remain adaptable to ever-changing threats.

The PTaaS Model Unveiled

In the cybersecurity realm, timing holds pivotal importance. PTaaS, ever ready, steps up as an on-demand champion, prepared to face danger whenever it surfaces. This strategic flexibility allows businesses to schedule security assessments at their convenience, scaling up or down as needed, without being shackled to traditional testing timelines.

When trying to solve a problem, it’s essential to identify the root cause to find the most effective solution. By doing so, you can save time and resources while addressing the issue at its core, covering more ground in the process.

Human Expertise Meets Automation

PTaaS combines the brilliance of human intelligence with the unwavering efficiency of automation. This alliance ensures that even the most cunning vulnerabilities cannot slip through the net. Automated scanning, continuously vigilant, is complemented by the discerning eye of human experts, who delve into the complexities where machines tread lightly.

Service Delivery and Access

Think of the ability to launch a penetration test instantly with a click, starting a security assessment in just 24 hours. PTaaS breaks the chains of delay, offering rapid automated tests that unfold within hours and comprehensive manual tests that wrap up within a workweek. It’s the equivalent of having a rapid response team at your beck and call, ensuring your digital fortress remains impregnable.

Identifying the Role of Security Engineers in PTaaS

At the core of every PTaaS operation resides the security engineer, a watchman whose expertise forms the foundation of your cyber defense. With certifications like OSCP, CEH, and CISSP, these engineers are the elite force tasked with the crucial mission of identifying the most elusive of vulnerabilities. They are the architects of your security, shaping the defenses to protect your digital realm from the most sophisticated of cyber threats.

From Assessment to Action

The journey from vulnerability assessment to the fortification of defenses is a meticulous one, orchestrated by the strategic minds of security engineers. Their crafted plans and scripts are tailored to the unique landscape of each client, simulating real-world attack vectors that reveal the true mettle of your current security posture and cyber defenses against potential threat actors. By examining vulnerability details, they can identify and address weak points in your security.

Verifying and Reporting Findings

Once the battle is over, the security engineers lay out the map of the battlefield, detailing each exploit and vulnerability with precision. These reports are not mere documents but guiding stars that prioritize the path to remediation. They serve as a bridge between the technical trenches and the strategic summits of management and stakeholders, ensuring that no detail is lost in translation.

Benefits of Adopting PTaaS Over Traditional Penetration Testing

Adopting PTaaS is akin to switching from a semaphore to a high-speed internet connection for your cybersecurity approach. It’s a leap from infrequent, static testing to a continuous, integrated security approach that keeps pace with rapid development cycles.

Real-time vulnerability detection, flexible and scalable service models, and the ability to support DevSecOps – PTaaS is the modern-day guardian of the digital realm.

Why Businesses Choose PTaaS

What makes businesses gravitate towards PTaaS? The answer is multifaceted:

• Cost efficiencies bloom when time-consuming processes are automated.

• The drumbeat of frequent testing uncovers a wider array of weaknesses.

• A proactive security culture becomes ingrained within the organization.

Furthermore, the intelligence from PTaaS helps prioritize pentesting efforts, ensuring that the most vulnerable assets receive the attention they need.

Real-Time Reporting and Remediation

The true prowess of PTaaS shines in its real-time reporting capabilities. Like a vigilant watchtower, it offers immediate insights into vulnerabilities, granting businesses the power to:

• Respond with swiftness and precision

• Reduce the window of exposure to potential threats

• Benefit from a blend of machine-driven speed and human-directed insight

The Ideal PTaaS Vendor: Features to Look For

When searching for the perfect PTaaS vendor, it’s essential to find a balanced combination of thorough testing, clear pricing, and a unified platform that brings together various cybersecurity tools. Such a platform ensures that no stone is left unturned, from quarterly tests that reveal the unseen to adherence to stringent compliance standards.

Your chosen vendor should be a beacon of clarity and efficiency in a sea of digital threats.

Comprehensive Coverage and Depth

The realm of cyber threats is vast, and so the coverage of your PTaaS provider must be equally expansive. They must chart the depths of your digital landscape, ensuring that every crevice and corner is scrutinized for vulnerabilities. This includes the seamless integration with enterprise systems, ensuring that the results of the penetration tests enhance the operational workflow rather than hinder it.

Actionable Insights and Support

The aftermath of a penetration test should not leave you adrift in a sea of technical jargon. The ideal PTaaS vendor extends a helping hand, offering post-test support and insights that translate findings into actionable steps. Their reports should serve as a lighthouse, guiding every level of your organization from the stormy waters of vulnerabilities to the safe harbor of cybersecurity.

Penetration Tests Types Within the PTaaS Framework

Within the PTaaS framework, a range of penetration tests are tailored to the diverse terrains of digital assets. From the comprehensive to the agile, these tests span across networks, applications, and APIs, employing methodologies like Black Box, Grey Box, and White Box to uncover every potential threat.

PTaaS ensures that whether for compliance or security, no vulnerability remains hidden.

Network-Level Scrutiny

In the domain of network-level scrutiny, PTaaS stands as the guardian of the gates, probing the ramparts of your IT infrastructure. Security engineers map out the terrain, deploying simulations of real-time attacks to test the resilience of your network’s defenses. This scrutiny is not just a check; it’s a full-scale siege test, ensuring that the walls of your digital fortress can withstand the onslaught of cyber threats.

Application Deep Dive

Plunging into the depths of your applications, PTaaS seeks out the weaknesses within web and mobile ptaas platforms. By deploying both automated tools and the nuanced understanding of security professionals, PTaaS reveals the chinks in the application armor, ensuring that no breach goes undetected.

It’s a relentless quest to secure the very software that powers your digital presence.

System-Wide Assessments

Beyond individual components, PTaaS offers system-wide assessments, an expansive survey of your entire cybersecurity landscape. This holistic approach ensures that threats, no matter how dispersed or hidden, are brought into the light. The comprehensive nature of these assessments means that security engineers must be adept at navigating the complexities of various systems, from networks to APIs, leaving no stone unturned.

PTaaS Integration in Business Processes

Integrating PTaaS with business operations offers several benefits:

• It incorporates a protective layer into the organization’s structure, keeping security top of mind.

• It dynamically adjusts testing methodologies to meet the ever-changing threat landscape.

• It fortifies trust among stakeholders.

• It ensures that pentesting efforts are finely tuned to the business’s evolving digital assets.

Embedding PTaaS in DevSecOps

The marriage of PTaaS and DevSecOps is a match made in cybersecurity heaven. Here, security testing becomes a continuous thread woven through the software development lifecycle, ensuring that each code change is scrutinized for weaknesses. As the digital threat landscape morphs, so too must the strategies employed within DevSecOps, with PTaaS providing the insights necessary to adapt and refine.

Aligning with Business Objectives

Tailoring the PTaaS approach to the unique objectives of a business is essential for alignment with the broader security mission. By focusing on areas of greatest concern, PTaaS becomes not just a tool but a strategic ally, advising on risk mitigation and vulnerability repair.

This tailored approach ensures that pentesting efforts are not only effective but resonate with the company’s goals and values.

Machine Learning's Role in Enhancing PTaaS

Integrating machine learning with PTaaS offers several benefits:

• It enhances the platform’s capabilities, allowing for more sophisticated threat detection.

• It provides a predictive stance in managing vulnerabilities.

• Machine learning’s algorithms prioritize vulnerabilities, helping security teams focus their efforts where they are needed most.

Advanced Threat Detection

Machine learning algorithms are the watchful eyes that never sleep, constantly analyzing patterns to predict and detect threats before they manifest. These cognitive abilities, coupled with the detailed information from attack surface management, empower PTaaS to craft tailored attack scenarios, elevating the relevance and effectiveness of penetration tests.

Predictive Vulnerability Management

Predictive vulnerability management is the art of foreseeing the storm before the clouds gather. Machine learning algorithms sift through the sands of data to forecast the severity of vulnerabilities, prioritizing them for remediation. This prophetic approach allows businesses to plan their defense strategies intelligently, ensuring that their digital fortresses are reinforced against the most likely threats.

Summary

As we come to the end of our exploration of Penetration Testing as a Service, it’s clear that PTaaS stands as a beacon of modern cybersecurity. From the seamless integration with business processes to the predictive prowess of machine learning, PTaaS empowers organizations to stay ahead of cyber threats. It’s not just about finding vulnerabilities; it’s about creating a proactive, adaptive, and robust defense that keeps pace with the ever-evolving digital landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

What distinguishes PTaaS from traditional penetration testing?

PTaaS distinguishes itself from traditional penetration testing by providing continuous, dynamic security assessments with real-time reporting and remediation, and by supporting agile development processes like DevSecOps. This makes it more efficient compared to periodic testing.

How important is human expertise in PTaaS?

Human expertise is crucial in PTaaS for uncovering sophisticated vulnerabilities, validating automated findings, and maintaining proactive security culture within an organization. Therefore, it plays a vital role in ensuring comprehensive protection against evolving threats.

What features should I look for in an ideal PTaaS vendor?

Look for comprehensive coverage, transparent pricing, a unified platform, and actionable insights for efficient security management when choosing a PTaaS vendor. These features will ensure effective protection for your organization.

Can PTaaS integrate with my business's existing processes?

Yes, PTaaS is designed to seamlessly integrate with business processes, dynamically updating testing methodologies and aligning with business objectives and security strategies. With PTaaS, you can streamline your existing processes and enhance security.

How does machine learning enhance PTaaS?

Machine learning enhances PTaaS by improving threat detection, predictive vulnerability management, and prioritizing vulnerabilities for remediation, leading to increased efficiency and effectiveness in penetration tests.

Reuven Cohen, who goes by the Twitter handle @ruv, has recently been experimenting with using GPT to power attack bots. He recently posted this on his Facebook page after being able to create such an attack bot very quickly:

“Autonomous AI Hack Bots are going to change things in IT Security. This example of a bot can scan for exploits, generate custom code, and exploit a site with no human oversight directly in the ChatGPT interface."

Here is an example output from Cohen's experiments:

"This example output shows a network scan for vulnerabilities using Nmap. The results provide information on open ports, services, and versions, along with details about vulnerabilities found (CVE numbers, disclosure dates, and references).

The Metasploit Framework’s auxiliary scanner module scans the target web server for accessible directories, revealing three directories in the response. The Metasploit Framework offers various auxiliary modules for different types of vulnerability scans, such as port scanning, service enumeration, and vulnerability assessment.

After the pen test is completed, the hack bot will analyze the results and identify any vulnerabilities or exploits."

This example illustrates how a savvy individual hacker can quickly develop sophisticated tools in a matter of days. Consider the potential impact when larger teams and nation-state actors begin harnessing this technology. We can expect an unprecedented surge in the sophistication and frequency of automated attacks.

As AI continues to advance, our security strategies must evolve in tandem. Remaining well-informed and vigilant is essential in the dynamic field of cybersecurity.

Reply in comments if you want to join the CISO Platform AI Taskforce to stay informed (private group of CISO's). 

• Multiple U.S. government agencies have cautioned that the Black Basta ransomware group is actively targeting the healthcare sector along with 12 out of 16 critical infrastructure segments.

• The FBI, CISA, and HHS issued an advisory on a Friday, revealing that Black Basta has targeted over 500 organizations worldwide between April 2022 and May 2024.

• The Black Basta ransomware gang poses a grave threat to healthcare and critical infrastructure, having assaulted over 500 organizations globally in a span of two years. This highlights the rising danger to crucial societal sectors due to increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks.

• Providers of web-based technologies, such as ConnectWise, are susceptible to exploitation by ransomware gangs. Black Basta leveraged a vulnerability in ConnectWise's ScreenConnect to facilitate secure remote desktop access and mobile device support.

• Attacks on healthcare organizations jeopardize essential patient care services, causing significant complications and delays in healthcare provision. The incident involving Ascension underscores the urgent need for the healthcare ecosystem to fortify cybersecurity measures.

Welcome to RSA Conference 2024 in San Francisco, where the latest in application security (AppSec) awaits! To help you navigate the expo efficiently, we've curated a list of top companies based on booth locations. Follow this strategic path to cover key players in AppSec while minimizing unnecessary walking. Here is the link to theAppSec booths in Moscone South at RSAC.

>>Join CISO Platform CISO Stress Management Session during RSAC (Addressing Through Mindfulness)

1. Sonatype

   • Booth: MOSCONE NORTH EXPO, Booth 4624
   • Category: APPSEC
   • Twitter: @sonatype
   • LinkedIn: Sonatype

2. Fluid Attacks

   • Booth: MOSCONE NORTH EXPO, Booth 4205
   • Category: APPSEC
   • Twitter: @FluidAttacks
   • LinkedIn: Fluid Attacks

3. Jscrambler

   • Booth: MOSCONE NORTH EXPO, Booth 4404
   • Category: APPSEC
   • Twitter: @jscrambler
   • LinkedIn: Jscrambler

4. Tromzo

   • Booth: MOSCONE NORTH EXPO, Booth 5360
   • Category: APPSEC
   • Twitter: @TromzoSec
   • LinkedIn: Tromzo

5. Endor Labs

   • Booth: MOSCONE NORTH EXPO, Booth 4324
   • Category: APPSEC
   • Twitter: @EndorLabs
   • LinkedIn: Endor Labs

6. Promon

   • Booth: MOSCONE NORTH EXPO, Booth 4419
   • Category: APPSEC
   • Twitter: @Promon
   • LinkedIn: Promon

7. Cobalt

   • Booth: MOSCONE NORTH EXPO, Booth 5177
   • Category: APPSEC
   • Twitter: @cobalt_io
   • LinkedIn: Cobalt

8. Tidelift

   • Booth: MOSCONE NORTH EXPO, Booth 6548
   • Category: APPSEC
   • Twitter: @tidelift
   • LinkedIn: Tidelift

9. Myrror Security

   • Booth: ESE SOUTH LEVEL 2, Booth ESE-18
   • Category: APPSEC
   • Twitter: @MyrrorSecurity
   • LinkedIn: Myrror Security

10. GitLab

    • Booth: MOSCONE NORTH EXPO, Booth 5360
    • Category: APPSEC
    • Twitter: @gitlab
    • LinkedIn: GitLab

11. Scribe Security

    • Booth: ESE SOUTH LEVEL 2, Booth NXT-06
    • Category: APPSEC
    • Twitter: @ScribeSecurity
    • LinkedIn: Scribe Security

12. Invicti Security

    • Booth: MOSCONE NORTH EXPO, Booth 4524
    • Category: APPSEC
    • Twitter: @invicti
    • LinkedIn: Invicti Security
13. Semgrep
    • Booth: ESE SOUTH LEVEL 2, Booth NXT-04
    • Category: APPSEC
    • Twitter: @semgrep
    • LinkedIn: Semgrep
      
      

Navigating RSA Conference can be overwhelming. So if you are stressed come and join CISOPlatform for a closed door session on CISO Stress Management: Addressing Through Mindfulness.

Are you there at RSA Conference 2024? With so many innovative cybersecurity companies exhibiting, planning your visit strategically can ensure you make the most out of your time at the event. To help you navigate efficiently, we've compiled a list of top companies categorized by booth location and their specialties. Follow this guide to explore cutting-edge solutions and connect with industry leaders!

>>Join the CISO Burnout & Stress Management Session by CISO Platform (SanFrancisco, Philadelphia & Reston)

Moscone South Expo

1>Booth 0449 - Binary Defense (MSSP)

• Why Visit: Binary Defense offers robust managed security services and threat detection solutions.
• Twitter: @Binary_Defense
• LinkedIn: Binary Defense

2>Booth 0535 - Expel (MSSP)

• Why Visit: Expel provides transparent managed detection and response services for simplified cybersecurity operations.
• Twitter: @expel_io
• LinkedIn: Expel

3>Booth 0642 - eSentire (MSSP)

• Why Visit: eSentire specializes in managed detection and response services powered by AI and threat intelligence.
• Twitter: @eSentire
• LinkedIn: eSentire

4>Booth 0766 - Ontinue (MSSP)

• Why Visit: Ontinue offers comprehensive managed security services tailored for evolving cyber threats.
• Twitter: @Ontinue
• LinkedIn: Ontinue

5>Booth 0934 - Red Canary (MSSP)

• Why Visit: Red Canary provides managed detection and response solutions with a focus on threat detection and investigation.
• Twitter: @redcanary
• LinkedIn: Red Canary
  
  

  
  >>Join CISO Platform CISO Stress Management Session during RSAC (Addressing Through Mindfulness)

   

6>Booth 1443 - Arctic Wolf Networks (MSSP)

• Why Visit: Arctic Wolf Networks offers SOC-as-a-Service for proactive threat detection and response.
• Twitter: @AWNetworks
• LinkedIn: Arctic Wolf Networks

7>Booth 2239 - Kroll (MSSP)

• Why Visit: Kroll provides cybersecurity and risk management services, including incident response and digital forensics.
• Twitter: @KrollWire
• LinkedIn: Kroll

Moscone North Expo

1>Booth 4529 - Open Systems (MSSP)

• Why Visit: Open Systems offers secure SD-WAN and managed security services for global enterprises.
• Twitter: @OpenSystemsAG
• LinkedIn: Open Systems

2>Booth 4608 - Critical Start (MSSP)

• Why Visit: Critical Start provides managed detection and response services with a focus on rapid threat containment.
• Twitter: @criticalstart
• LinkedIn: Critical Start

3>Booth 4618 - Mitiga (MSSP)

• Why Visit: Mitiga offers incident readiness and response services to help organizations mitigate cyber risks effectively.
• Twitter: @mitigaInc
• LinkedIn: Mitiga

4>Booth 5261 - Arctic Wolf Networks (MSSP)

• Why Visit: Arctic Wolf Networks specializes in SOC-as-a-Service for proactive threat detection and response.
• Twitter: @AWNetworks
• LinkedIn: Arctic Wolf Networks

5>Booth 5445 - IBM (MSSP)

• Why Visit: IBM offers a range of cybersecurity services and solutions, including AI-powered threat intelligence and incident response.
• Twitter: @IBMSecurity
• LinkedIn: IBM Security

6>Booth 5770 - Verizon Business Security Solutions (MSSP)

• Why Visit: Verizon Business Security Solutions provides managed security services and consulting for enterprise cybersecurity needs.
• Twitter: @VZEnterprise
• LinkedIn: Verizon Business

ESE South Level 2

1>Booth ESE-15 - Prelude (Testing)

• Why Visit: Prelude specializes in advanced security testing solutions, including breach and attack simulation.
• Twitter: @PreludeZero
• LinkedIn: Prelude

>>If you are interested in the Top Appsec companies to visit at RSAC 2024 here is the list

Are you attending RSA Conference 2024? To make the most of your time at RSAC, we've curated a list of leading application security (AppSec) companies categorized by booth location. Follow this guide to navigate efficiently and connect with these innovative solution providers.

>>Join CISO Platform CISO Stress Management Session during RSAC (Addressing Through Mindfulness)

Moscone South Expo

1. NetSkope

   • Booth: MOSCONE SOUTH EXPO, Booth 1035
   • Category: AppSec
   • Twitter: @NetSkope
   • LinkedIn: NetSkope

2. CodeSecure

   • Booth: MOSCONE SOUTH EXPO, Booth 0262
   • Category: AppSec
   • Twitter: @CodeSecure
   • LinkedIn: CodeSecure

3. RapidFort Inc.

   • Booth: MOSCONE SOUTH EXPO, Booth 3317
   • Category: AppSec
   • Twitter: @RapidFortInc
   • LinkedIn: RapidFort Inc.

4. Veracode

   • Booth: MOSCONE SOUTH EXPO, Booth 2045
   • Category: AppSec
   • Twitter: @Veracode
   • LinkedIn: Veracode

5. Dynatrace

   • Booth: MOSCONE SOUTH EXPO, Booth 3219
   • Category: AppSec
   • Twitter: @Dynatrace
   • LinkedIn: Dynatrace

6. Contrast Security

   • Booth: MOSCONE SOUTH EXPO, Booth 1449
   • Category: AppSec
   • Twitter: @contrastsec
   • LinkedIn: Contrast Security

7. Qwiet AI

   • Booth: MOSCONE SOUTH EXPO, Booth 0666
   • Category: AppSec
   • Twitter: @qwiet_ai
   • LinkedIn: Qwiet AI

8. GitHub

   • Booth: MOSCONE SOUTH EXPO, Booth 2356
   • Category: AppSec
   • Twitter: @GitHub
   • LinkedIn: GitHub

9. Snyk

   • Booth: MOSCONE SOUTH EXPO, Booth 0748
   • Category: AppSec
   • Twitter: @snyksec
   • LinkedIn: Snyk

10. Bright Security

    • Booth: MOSCONE SOUTH EXPO, Booth 0967
    • Category: AppSec
    • Twitter: @BrightSecurity
    • LinkedIn: Bright Security

11. Lacework

    • Booth: MOSCONE SOUTH EXPO, Booth 1255
    • Category: AppSec
    • Twitter: @Lacework
    • LinkedIn: Lacework

12. JFrog

    • Booth: MOSCONE SOUTH EXPO, Booth 0455
    • Category: AppSec
    • Twitter: @jfrog
    • LinkedIn: JFrog

13. AppDome

    • Booth: MOSCONE SOUTH EXPO, Booth 2339
    • Category: AppSec
    • Twitter: @AppDome
    • LinkedIn: AppDome

14. Mend

    • Booth: MOSCONE SOUTH EXPO, Booth 1549
    • Category: AppSec
    • Twitter: @MendSecurity
    • LinkedIn: Mend

15. Detectify

    • Booth: MOSCONE SOUTH EXPO, Booth 3219
    • Category: AppSec
    • Twitter: @Detectify
    • LinkedIn: Detectify

16. Synopsys

    • Booth: MOSCONE SOUTH EXPO, Booth 1027
    • Category: AppSec
    • Twitter: @synopsys
    • LinkedIn: Synopsys

17. ArmorCode

    • Booth: MOSCONE SOUTH EXPO, Booth 0249
    • Category: AppSec
    • Twitter: @ArmorCode
    • LinkedIn: ArmorCode

18. RevealSecurity

    • Booth: MOSCONE SOUTH EXPO, Booth 2045
    • Category: AppSec
    • Twitter: @RevealSecurity
    • LinkedIn: RevealSecurity

19. TrueFort

    • Booth: MOSCONE SOUTH EXPO, Booth 3241
    • Category: AppSec
    • Twitter: @TrueFort
    • LinkedIn: TrueFort

20. OX Security

    • Booth: MOSCONE SOUTH EXPO, Booth 0867
    • Category: AppSec
    • Twitter: @OXSecurity
    • LinkedIn: OX Security

21. DataDog

    • Booth: MOSCONE SOUTH EXPO, Booth 0443
    • Category: AppSec
    • Twitter: @DataDog
    • LinkedIn: DataDog

22. Cycode

    • Booth: MOSCONE SOUTH EXPO, Booth 2056
    • Category: AppSec
    • Twitter: @CycodeHQ
    • LinkedIn: Cycode

23. Kondukto

    • Booth: MOSCONE SOUTH EXPO, Booth 1467
    • Category: AppSec
    • Twitter: @KonduktoAI
    • LinkedIn: Kondukto

24. Xygeni

    • Booth: MOSCONE SOUTH EXPO, Booth 2441
    • Category: AppSec
    • Twitter: @XygeniInc
    • LinkedIn: Xygeni

25. Checkmarx

    • Booth: MOSCONE SOUTH EXPO, Booth 1427
    • Category: AppSec
    • Twitter: @Checkmarx
    • LinkedIn: Checkmarx
      
      

Navigating RSA Conference can be overwhelming, but with our strategic booth list, you'll cover the key players in application security while minimizing your steps! To checkout the Top AppSec Companies to Visit at RSA Conference 2024 in Moscone North Expo, click the below link.

Part 2: Top AppSec Companies to Visit at RSA Conference 2024 in Moscone North Expo & ESE South

In the high-stakes cybersecurity arena, enterprises continually seek innovative strategies to safeguard their digital assets against evolving threats. Traditionally, security assessments have relied on periodic penetration testing and red team exercises to identify vulnerabilities and shore up defenses. However, these methods often fall short in the face of today's dynamic threat landscape. Continuous Automated Red Teaming (CART), a game-changing approach that leverages automation and machine learning to simulate cyberattacks continuously, helps solve the above challenges.

Addressing the Challenges of Security Teaming in Enterprises

Despite their critical roles, security teams encounter several challenges in their effort to safeguard organizational assets:

• Shadow IT & Incomplete Asset Inventory: Organizations are testing partial assets that miss Shadow IT assets like the Preprod systems, Cloud buckets ..etc. The current testing typically tests 20% of the assets or crown jewels, whereas the peripheral assets are missed.

• “Testing Point-In-Time vs Continuous Attacks From Hackers”: Organizations test “some” of their assets “some of the time,” whereas hackers attack all of the assets all of the time. Currently, the pen test or red team test reports generated are only for a point in time, while continuous alerts are required.

• Silos and Communication Barriers: Lack of collaboration between red, blue, and purple teams can lead to disjointed efforts and missed opportunities to address vulnerabilities comprehensively.

• Skill Shortages and Training Needs: The rapidly evolving threat landscape necessitates continuous upskilling and training for security professionals, yet many organizations need help attracting and retaining top talent with the requisite expertise.

• Tool Integration Complexity: The proliferation of security tools and technologies can result in integration challenges, making it difficult for teams to streamline workflows and effectively leverage available resources.

The Future of Offensive Attack Simulation: Continuous Pen testing

Continuous Pen Testing operates on the principle of persistent threat emulation, constantly testing existing defenses and applications to uncover weaknesses and blind spots. By automating the execution of red team exercises, organizations can gain real-time insights into their security posture, enabling proactive risk mitigation and rapid response to emerging threats. This paradigm shift from point-in-time testing to continuous testing marks a significant leap forward in cybersecurity resilience.

CISO Platform Fireside Chat - Future of Offensive Attack Simulation Strategies, Tools & Techniques

Why Innovative CISOs Are Turning to Continuous Pen Testing to Stay Ahead Of Adversaries

In the relentless battle against cyber threats, organizations are turning to innovative solutions like Continuous Testing to fortify their defenses and stay one step ahead of adversaries. New solutions have emerged for Continuous Pen Testing and External Attack Surface Management (EASM), enabling organizations to map out their digital attack surface, including shadow IT blind spots and automatically launch safe multi-stage attacks, mimicking an actual attacker, to help identify attack paths before hackers do:

• Continuous Pen Testing: enables organizations to emulate real-world cyberattacks through safe multi-stage attacks. By mimicking the tactics of actual threat actors, CART helps identify and prioritize vulnerabilities before hackers exploit them.

• External Attack Surface Management (EASM): EASM solution provides organizations with comprehensive visibility into their digital attack surface. By continuously discovering and monitoring the deep, dark, and surface webs, EASM helps uncover shadow IT blind spots and proactively identify potential attack paths.

Learn Why EASM Is Foundational For Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) & Penetration Testing

New Trends From Gartner Hype Cycle Including External Attack Surface Management (EASM), Automated Pentesting & Red Teaming 

Why External Attack Surface Management (EASM) is foundational for Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM)

Gartner says “CTEM is defined as a set of processes and capabilities that allows enterprises to continually and consistently evaluate the accessibility, exposure and exploitability of an enterprise’s digital and physical assets. It is composed of phases — scoping, discovery, prioritization, validation and mobilization — and underpinned by a set of technologies and capabilities, of which EASM is one. CTEM is different from risk-based vulnerability management (RBVM) in that the latter is an evolution of traditional vulnerability management, while CTEM is the wider process around operating and governing overall exposure. It includes solving the identified vulnerabilities as well as optimizing processes in the future so that the vulnerabilities do not resurface. 

EASM is foundational to CTEM for two reasons. First, it provides continuous and improved visibility into assets that organizations have less control over, such as SaaS applications and data held by supply chain partners and suppliers. Second, it assesses and prioritizes resources in mitigating/remediating issues that attackers are most likely to exploit and therefore benefits organizations during the first three phases of CTEM: scoping, discovery and prioritization.” Learn more about Continuous Threat Exposure Management or CTEM: A New Security Approach For CISOs.

• CTEM enables continuous assessment of accessibility, exposure, and exploitability of digital and physical assets
• CTEM includes phases like scoping, discovery, prioritization, validation, and mobilization
• EASM is a foundational component of CTEM, offering enhanced visibility into assets like SaaS applications and third-party data
• EASM helps assess and prioritize resources for mitigating issues most likely to be exploited by attackers during the initial phases of CTEM
• CTEM differs from risk-based vulnerability management (RBVM) by encompassing broader exposure governance and ongoing optimization processes

Why EASM is foundational for Continuous Penetration Testing 

Gartner says, “EASM can complement penetration testing during the information gathering phase about the target (finding exploitable points of entry). The convergence between penetration testing and EASM will become more prominent as automated penetration testing solutions continue to emerge. 

Most penetration testing performed today is human-driven, outsourced and conducted annually (making it a point-in-time view), which is why the automated penetration testing market has emerged. Although automated penetration testing is an emerging market on its own, some vendors have already added EASM and vice versa. This is because vendors that started in the automated penetration testing market were initially only doing automated network penetration testing and not external testing. Technologies such as EASM, DRPS, BAS and automated penetration testing can collectively provide organizations with a realistic view of the full attack surface within their environment. This lets organizations test what they can or cannot prevent and detect, as well as determine how they would respond in the event of an attack. Therefore, the convergence of these technologies can better support organizations in their CTEM program.” Learn more about Why Is Gartner Talking About External Attack Surface Management (EASM) & Real-Life Attacks

• EASM complements penetration testing by aiding in information gathering to identify entry points.
• Automated penetration testing solutions are growing, leading to a convergence with EASM
• Current penetration testing is largely human-driven, outsourced, and performed annually, providing a point-in-time perspective
• Automated or continuous penetration testing is emerging due to its ability to provide ongoing assessments
• Vendors are integrating EASM with automated penetration testing tools to enhance capabilities
• Technologies like EASM, DRPS, BAS, and automated penetration testing together provide a comprehensive view of an organization's attack surface
• The convergence of these technologies supports organizations in their CTEM (Continuous Threat and Exposure Management) programs.

 Why Is Gartner Talking About External Attack Surface Management (EASM)?

In the landscape of ever-evolving cyber threats, how can organizations safeguard their digital assets with efficacy and speed? Continuous threat exposure management (CTEM) stands out as the proactive cybersecurity frontier. This real-time strategy transcends traditional, reactive security measures by consistently scanning the digital horizon to identify and prioritize threats before they inflict damage. By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear understanding of CTEM’s principles, its integral role in fortifying defenses, and practical steps for crafting a robust CTEM program tailored to your organization’s needs.

Key Takeaways: 

• Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) provides a proactive, real-time approach to cybersecurity, moving beyond reactive strategies to prioritize and remediate threats before they lead to exploitation, focusing on continuous monitoring, risk assessment, and threat prioritization aligned with business objectives.

• A robust CTEM program is built on a framework with five critical stages—Scoping, Discovery, Prioritization, Validation, and Mobilization—and is integrated seamlessly with existing security controls enhancing management and prioritization of threats without the need for overhauling current frameworks.

• CTEM strategies reinforce an organization’s security posture by proactively managing exposures, prioritizing risks based on business impact, ensuring cloud environment coverage, aligning with business goals and compliance, and streamlining remediation processes through automation and cross-team collaboration.

Key Components Of CTEM: 

• Threat Exposure Management:
  • Entered the Gartner Hype Cycle last year.
  • Represents a broader domain, including CTEM innovations.
• Exposure Assessment Platforms:
  • Consolidate vulnerability assessment and prioritization technologies.
  • Provide simplicity and efficacy in attack surface discovery.
• Adversarial Exposure Validation:
  • Entered the Gartner Hype Cycle this year.
  • Simulates threat actor tactics for validating exposures.
  • Includes breach attack simulation and autonomous penetration testing.

The Imperative of Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM)

In an era where cyber threats are as unpredictable as they are damaging, organizations must adopt a proactive stance to stay one step ahead. Enter Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM)—a real-time, proactive approach to cybersecurity that aims to strengthen an organization’s security posture. CTEM distinguishes itself from traditional reactive vulnerability management approaches by continuously monitoring the threat landscape, enabling an organization to prioritize and remediate threats before exploitation occurs.

By surfacing and actively prioritizing threats in real-time, CTEM offers a more resilient security posture, enabling proactive threat mitigation across different environments, including cloud landscapes.

Understanding CTEM's Core Objectives

The core objectives of a successful CTEM program revolve around continuous monitoring, risk assessment, and prioritization. The discovery phase is crucial, involving the identification of all vulnerable resources, evaluating risk profiles, and focusing on potential business impacts.

CTEM involves:

• Evaluating the risk associated with each asset and ranking them, ensuring resources focus on the most significant risks first

• Placing a significant emphasis on validation to verify cybersecurity posture following threat prioritization and remediation efforts

• Aligning CTEM’s objectives with business priorities to ensure that threats most material to the business are addressed effectively.

CTEM's Role in Cyber Resilience

CTEM’s role in cyber resilience cannot be overstated. It enables continual improvement of security posture by proactively identifying and remediating vulnerabilities before they are exploited by attackers. By integrating external attack surface management, CTEM strengthens defenses along post-perimeter attack surfaces.

CTEM (Cyber Threat and Event Management) provides the following benefits:

• Ensures that an organization’s defenses remain up-to-date and capable of combating evolving cyber threats

• Provides organizations with a real-time view of their cybersecurity risk posture

• Helps in making informed security decisions

• Facilitates effective resource allocation

>> Gartner says EASM Is Foundational For Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) & Penetration Testing (Learn Why)

 
Crafting a Robust CTEM Program for Your Organization

Crafting a robust CTEM program involves:

• Assessing the current security posture

• Defining clear objectives and strategy

• Selecting and deploying the right tools

• Establishing processes for continuous monitoring and analysis

• Creating a culture of continuous improvement

• Ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and industry standards

This comprehensive approach goes beyond simply installing the latest security software and helps to create a strong and effective CTEM program.

The result? A strengthened organization’s security posture and a resilient organization ready to tackle the dynamic nature of threats and vulnerabilities in the cybersecurity landscape.

The Five Pillars of a CTEM Framework

The backbone of a CTEM program is its framework, which consists of five critical stages: Scoping, Discovery, Prioritization, Validation, and Mobilization.

The cybersecurity process involves three main phases:

1. Scoping: Determine which assets are most critical and assess the associated risks to prioritize protection efforts.

2. Discovery: Identify vulnerable assets, contributing to a comprehensive catalogue of at-risk resources.

3. Prioritization: Evaluate and rank assets based on their importance and level of threat posed.

Validation includes strategic plans implementation and security controls effectiveness testing. Lastly, the Mobilization phase defines the operational scope and involves the use of automated solutions to manage known issues.

Integrating CTEM with Existing Security Controls

CTEM is not about overhauling your existing security framework; it’s about enhancing it. CTEM programs seamlessly integrate with current controls, enhancing the overall management and prioritization of threat exposure. It empowers security operations teams to use attack surface and threat intelligence in their investigations, allowing them to focus on remediating the most impactful exposures.

CTEM utilizes continuous automation tools for scanning digital assets and promptly identifying vulnerabilities, narrowing the window of opportunity for potential attackers. The bottom line is, integrating CTEM with existing security controls leads to a more robust and resilient security posture.

Elevating Security Posture Through Proactive Exposure Management 

A key strategy to elevate an organization’s security posture is through proactive exposure management. This involves:

• Identifying and mitigating potential vulnerabilities before they are exploited

• Contrasting with reactive approaches that address threats after they occur

• Assessing cybersecurity risks by evaluating potential harm against the likelihood of threats

• Enhancing communication between security teams and executives

• Fostering a cybersecurity culture and strategic alignment of threat mitigation strategies

This proactive approach enhances communication between security teams and security leaders, fostering a cybersecurity culture and strategic alignment of threat mitigation strategies within the security team.

The result is a significant decrease in security risks, improved threat detection, and faster response to remediation, indicating the success of a proactive CTEM program.

Identifying and Mitigating Potential Attack Paths

No battle is won without understanding the enemy’s possible attack paths. In the context of cybersecurity, effective attack path analysis helps identify critical vulnerabilities and pathways, enabling targeted mitigation efforts. By examining system components and interactions, potential sequences of actions by an attacker can be mapped, enabling more targeted mitigation efforts.

Effective attack path management reveals weak links within the system and leads to proactive mitigation efforts, thereby fortifying the organization’s defenses.

Prioritizing Risks Based on Business Impact

The process of risk prioritization is integral to an effective CTEM program. By prioritizing threats based on their likelihood and potential business impact, resources can be focused on the most significant risks. Using a risk matrix in cybersecurity helps define the level of risk by categorizing the likelihood of a threat against the severity of its potential impact, aiding in risk-based decision making.

This approach ensures that organizations make informed security decisions and allocate resources effectively to reduce the impact of cyber attacks.

Exposure Management for to Overcome Resource Limitations & Compliance Regulations

>> FireCompass combines ASM with automated pen testing which is crucial for an effective CTEM program

Navigating the Attack Surface with Advanced CTEM Tactics

The rise of cloud-based operations and remote work has expanded the attack surface, making it more challenging for security teams to monitor and secure. Advanced CTEM tactics address the expanding attack surface, including identity management and coverage across cloud environments. It involves a full analysis of exposures, extending across both on-premises and cloud environments, and assesses their impact on critical assets in these integrated environments.

By incorporating external attack surface management, organizations can enhance their defenses against external threats by addressing vulnerabilities and misconfigurations that could be exploited. This process helps to identify vulnerabilities, ensuring a more secure environment.

Addressing Identity Issues in Threat Management

As organizations grow, managing the identities of a diverse range of users and machines becomes a pressing challenge. Robust Identity and Access Management (IAM) capabilities are crucial for preventing threats from exploiting identity-related security gaps.

Implementing robust IAM capabilities within a CTEM framework can proactively prevent threats from exploiting identity-related security gaps, thereby fortifying the organization’s defenses.

Ensuring Coverage Across Cloud Environments

As organizations move towards cloud-based operations, ensuring coverage across these environments becomes crucial. CTEM extends its threat management capabilities to cloud-based environments, enabling:

• Continuous and automated assessment of an evolving attack surface

• Real-time assessment of the attack surface using global databases of security information

• Tracking changes in the attack surface

• Prioritizing attacks to address across third-party cloud ecosystems

By utilizing cloud security posture management capabilities, organizations can enhance their security posture in cloud-based environments.

Aligning CTEM with Business Goals and Compliance Risks

The success of any cybersecurity initiative is closely tied to its alignment with business goals and compliance risks. CTEM offers a proactive approach to assess and mitigate risks, aligning cybersecurity with business and compliance objectives. This alignment ensures that the protection of critical business assets and processes are prioritized, and the CTEM program integrates with governance, risk, and compliance functions to enhance the security posture.

Balancing Security Investments with Business Risk

Balancing security investments with business risk is a critical aspect of a successful CTEM program. Organizations that prioritize security investments guided by CTEM are three times less likely to suffer a data breach.

Clear communication facilitated by CTEM between security teams and business executives ensures that threat mitigation efforts are aligned with the organization’s broader goals.

Addressing Compliance Risks with CTEM

CTEM plays a significant role in addressing compliance risks. It integrates with compliance frameworks through a systematic framework of:

• Scoping

• Discovery

• Prioritization

• Validation

• Mobilization

This framework aligns with business objectives and regulatory requirements.

The cyclic approach of CTEM effectively anticipates and remediates threats, enabling organizations to continuously evaluate, prioritize, and mitigate risks to meet compliance requirements.

Streamlining Remediation Processes in CTEM

Streamlining remediation processes is a critical aspect of CTEM. It involves:

• Operationalizing findings by adhering to defined communication standards

• Documenting cross-team approval workflows

• Leveraging automation for streamlined vulnerability resolution processes.

Automating Vulnerability Remediation

Automation plays a key role in enhancing efficiency within CTEM. It streamlines communication, collaboration, and workflows across teams, reducing manual coordination and expediting response times for remediation.

Automated ticketing systems and SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response) platforms are integrated within CTEM to efficiently address vulnerabilities and mitigate threats.

Orchestrating Cross-Team Approval Workflows

Effective cross-team approval workflows ensure seamless communication and collaboration for efficient vulnerability management. To successfully orchestrate these workflows, it’s essential to integrate a CTEM plan with organizational-level remediation and incident workflows, expanding focus beyond just technical fixes.

The mobilization phase of CTEM involves rallying all stakeholders to understand the need for a more engaged approach to cybersecurity risk management.

Measuring CTEM Success: Metrics and KPIs

To gauge the success of a CTEM program, organizations need to measure key performance indicators (KPIs) including the level of risk reduction, enhanced threat detection capabilities, and accelerated response times for remediation. By diminishing the blast radius and impact of security incidents, strengthening the security posture, and reducing breach-related costs, organizations can assess the success of a CTEM program.

Tracking Risk Reduction Over Time

Tools such as Breach and Attack Simulation (BAS) enable ongoing evaluation of security controls and risk reduction over time. Studies show that organizations implementing a proper continuous threat exposure management (CTEM) solution experience a significant decrease in the likelihood of a severe breach, with a reduction of up to 90%.

Evaluating the Efficiency of Security Control Systems

Evaluating the efficiency of security control systems helps organizations assess the effectiveness of their CTEM program and make informed decisions. Monitoring and control systems, such as Security Control Validation (SCV) and Breach and Attack Simulation (BAS), are tools used to simulate real-world attack scenarios to evaluate the performance of security controls.

The efficiency of security controls can be assessed based on their performance improvement over time, with measurements facilitated by these specific tools.

Summary

As cyber threats continue to evolve, organizations need a proactive, continuous, and comprehensive approach to manage these threats. Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) provides such an approach, enhancing an organization’s security posture, aligning with business objectives, and meeting compliance requirements. By implementing a robust CTEM program, organizations can stay one step ahead of cyber threats, making their defenses more resilient.

Frequently Asked Questions

What distinguishes CTEM from traditional threat intelligence?

CTEM is distinctive from traditional threat intelligence because it is proactive and offers specific mitigation advice tailored to an organization's threats.

How does CTEM enhance an organization's security posture?

CTEM enhances an organization's security posture by continuously monitoring the threat landscape and prioritizing and remediating threats before exploitation occurs. This helps the organization stay ahead of potential security risks.

What is the role of Identity and Access Management (IAM) in CTEM?

IAM plays a crucial role in preventing threats from exploiting identity-related security gaps within a CTEM framework. It is essential for maintaining a secure environment.

How does CTEM address compliance risks?

CTEM addresses compliance risks by integrating with compliance frameworks and aligning with business objectives and regulatory requirements, using a systematic approach that includes scoping, discovery, prioritization, validation, and mobilization.

How can the success of a CTEM program be measured?

The success of a CTEM program can be measured by assessing key performance indicators (KPIs) such as risk reduction, threat detection capabilities, and response time for remediation. These indicators provide a clear measure of the program's effectiveness.