How External Attack Surface Management (EASM) protect businesses
Digital ecosystems are constantly under threat from cyber attacks originating from various sources, including the sinister and lesser-known Dark Web.
Companies, regardless of their size, are increasingly exposed to cyber security risks that could jeopardize their security and operational stability.
In this context, External Attack Surface Management (EASM) emerges as an effective weapon to shield against the dangers lurking in the Dark Web.
What is External Attack Surface Management (EASM)?
External Attack Surface Management (EASM) is a proactive cyber security solution aimed at identifying, monitoring, and protecting all external attack surfaces of a company.
This includes all digital resources visible and accessible from outside the organization, such as websites, servers, Cloud applications, and more.
The primary goal of EASM is to reduce the attack surface by limiting vulnerabilities that can be exploited by cyber attackers.
Why is external attack surface management important?
The external attack surface is a preferred target for cyberattacks. Increasingly, cybercriminals analyze an organization’s external digital surface to identify vulnerabilities and weak points through which they can gain access to the digital environment.
EASM helps organizations proactively reduce their attackable perimeter through automated Internet and Dark Web scans, identifying domains and subdomains, active IP addresses, web servers and cloud applications, open ports on remote hosts, and SSL/TLS certificates in use.
The result is a greater ability to map risk exposure in real time and respond promptly based on the potentially most impactful vulnerabilities.
What is the Dark Web and what are the potential threats to businesses?
The Dark Web is a hidden and unindexed part of the internet often used for illegal activities, such as selling drugs, weapons, stolen personal data, and tools for cyber attacks.
Companies are frequently targeted by cyber criminals operating in the Dark Web to steal sensitive data, extort money, or damage the company’s reputation.
Threats originating from the Dark Web can be devastating for a company, leading to financial losses, reputational damage, and violations of customer privacy.
How External Attack Surface Management (EASM) protects against Dark Web threats
External Attack Surface Management plays a crucial role in protecting companies from Dark Web threats.
Here’s how:
Continuous monitoring
EASM utilizes sophisticated tools to continuously monitor the company’s presence on the internet, identifying any unauthorized exposures or vulnerabilities that could be exploited by Dark Web attackers.
This proactive monitoring allows companies to promptly detect any threats and take preventive measures before they escalate into major issues.
In-depth risk analysis
Through analysis of collected data, EASM evaluates the potential risks associated with the company’s external exposures.
This analysis provides a clear understanding of vulnerabilities and possible threats from the Dark Web, enabling companies to prioritize security actions and effectively mitigate risks.
Vulnerability Management
Building on risk analysis, EASM helps companies manage identified vulnerabilities by implementing corrective measures to minimize the risk of exploitation by Dark Web attackers.
This may include system patching, enhanced security configurations, and implementation of stricter access controls.
The importance of Threat Intelligence in the Dark Web
CyberTrust 365’s External Attack Surface Management service applies Threat Intelligence capabilities to study the behavior of attackers hiding deep within the network.
In the face of the continuous increase and unpredictability of cyber threats, it is essential to thoroughly analyze and understand in advance what are the strategies of the attackers.
Through these detailed analyses, proactive countermeasures can be implemented to mitigate risks and reduce the average response time to an attack.
In addition, proactive analysis makes it possible to identify weaknesses within the network and address corrective actions effectively.
Benefits of External Attack Surface management
Adopting External Attack Surface Management brings numerous benefits for companies, including:
- Risk prioritization: support in identifying priority vulnerabilities, enabling organizations to address the most significant and potentially impactful vulnerabilities first.
- Intact reputation: protects the company’s reputation by avoiding customer privacy violations or damage to the corporate image.
- Compliance with the NIS2 Directive: helps companies comply with the Directive through third-party risk management, as required by the obligation to monitor the security of the supply chain.
- Identification of unknown exposed assets: EASM focuses on the continuous discovery of publicly exposed digital assets that are visible to attackers.
External Attack Surface Management represents a robust defense against Dark Web threats, enabling companies to protect their data, reputation, and business success in an increasingly dangerous digital environment.