Cybersecurity Report: Rise in Cyber Attacks Prompt Urgent Need for Enhanced Threat Intelligence and Surface Management
Recent findings reveal that cyber breaches are increasingly being orchestrated by external actors employing sophisticated tactics such as phishing, ransomware, session hijacking, and account takeover. Data indicates that more than 80% of these breaches stem from such threats, compelling organizations to bolster their cybersecurity measures. The evolving landscape of these attacks is the result of an expanded attack surface, vulnerable internet-facing assets, and a populace that often lacks adequate awareness of digital security practices.
In particular, the 2024 Attack Surface Threat Intelligence Report, compiled by Cybersecurity Insiders, highlights significant trends affecting over 600,000 members of its cybersecurity community. This report elucidates the current challenges and best practices associated with Threat Intelligence Management (TIM) and External Attack Surface Management (EASM), which are critical technologies for enhancing security measures and automating responses to cyber threats.
According to the report, around 90% of surveyed organizations noted a rise in impactful incidents related to their attack surfaces. Notably, smaller firms reported a staggering 60% greater incidence of impactful attacks compared to their larger counterparts. Approximately 84% of respondents acknowledged that shifts in their external attack surfaces led to security incidents, underscoring the urgent need for robust management systems.
The study also observed that only one-third of organizations possess mature EASM programs, indicating that nearly half are still in the early stages of development. Larger entities demonstrate significantly more advanced capabilities compared to smaller firms. Many organizations have expressed dissatisfaction with their current threat intelligence tools, deeming them only marginally useful, while 65% are in search of multi-source, curated, and prioritized threat intelligence to combat the evolving threat landscape effectively.
Supply chain risks and inadequacies in asset inventory pose critical challenges for organizations attempting to manage their attack surfaces effectively. More than 40% of respondents pointed to the difficulties associated with external asset tracking and active threat detection as key contributors to their ongoing security management struggles. Alarmingly, 66% of organizations claim their threat intelligence tools provide little to no operational effectiveness, which exacerbates the workload on security teams tasked with identifying and mitigating real threats amid the overwhelming data noise.
The report emphasizes that as organizations adopt more cloud-based solutions and engage with third parties, their attack surfaces expand, leaving them susceptible to new vulnerabilities. The increased involvement of personal devices and home networks in corporate operations, accelerated by the shift towards remote work, has further complicated security landscapes. Organizations must confront these challenges head-on by enhancing their visibility across distributed systems, while also focusing their resources on rapid threat identification and response mechanisms.
Moreover, a substantial 90% of organizations anticipate increased budgets earmarked for attack surface management and threat intelligence tools in the coming year, signifying a growing recognition of the importance of these systems in securing their digital infrastructures.
Observing the current trends, it’s clear that companies operating in the financial and technology sectors face no shortage of external threats due to their extensive interlinked infrastructures, making them prime targets for cybercriminal activities. This report serves as a clarion call for organizations to improve their cybersecurity postures significantly, investing not only in advanced tools and intelligence sources but also in training their personnel to react swiftly and effectively to emerging threats.
In summary, organizations are navigating a challenging cybersecurity landscape characterized by escalating threats and complex vulnerabilities. The data from the Cybersecurity Insiders report underlines the immediate need for proactive measures through enhanced threat intelligence and effective attack surface management, ensuring that businesses remain resilient in the face of growing cyber adversities.
