In 2017, there were over 130 large-scale, targeted breaches in the U.S., and the numbers are growing every year by 27%. Professionals are always saying there is no such thing as perfect security. If this is true, then why aren’t all cyber vulnerabilities being exploited? It all has to do with what it's worth for the attacker. But to make sure the cost to exploit your organization outweighs the benefits, you need to understand the concept of an “attack surface.”
An “attack surface,” in cybersecurity, is defined as the number of vulnerabilities that can be exploited by an attacker. The smaller your attack surface, the less likely your organization will be exploited. Imagine a criminal deciding which building to rob. Between a building with multiple entries and another with just one, which do you think the criminal would choose? The latter would cost more time and energy to find a way to break in. This is how you want your organization to be. Fewer options for entry mean fewer possibilities of exploitation.
Once you reduce your attack surface, remember that this doesn’t mean you’re vulnerability-free. Make sure you’re always aware of the vulnerabilities you still have. And always prioritize the biggest threats and act on them immediately!
Could the Vulnerability Fujiwhara Effect Be the New Normal?
Kent Weigle January 18, 2021Six Ways to Improve Your Patch Management Practices
Kent Weigle January 05, 2021Top Trending CVEs of January 2021
Kent Weigle February 01, 2021So I Really Have to Update Chrome?
Kent Weigle February 08, 2021CVSS: The Vulnerability Dartboard
Kent Weigle December 16, 2020