Page 185 - Cyber Defense eMagazine December 2023
P. 185

The role of attack path management in cyber defense

            The role of attack path management in cyber defense cannot be overstated. Attack path management
            takes a contextual and holistic approach to protecting critical assets in a way that traditional security
            solutions do not. While continuous security testing evaluates controls in place, attack path management
            takes a more comprehensive view to identify an organization’s most critical assets and networks.

            Attack path management can help organizations understand their business operations deeply, identifying
            the most vulnerable areas requiring more security measures. By pinpointing areas within a network where
            sensitive data, such as PHI or PII, may exist, attack path management can help organizations identify
            and  eliminate  risky  pathways  that  attackers  can  use  to  target  valuable  assets.  This  is  particularly
            important  in  today’s  environment,  where  the  interconnectivity  of  networks  makes  identifying  and
            mitigating potential attack paths incredibly challenging.

            While continuous security testing plays a vital role in cybersecurity by evaluating the effectiveness of
            security controls, sometimes the testing can miss vulnerabilities or gaps in the network. Attack path
            management fills this gap by providing context to your security environment, allowing a more complete
            and accurate assessment of your defense mechanisms.

            To  embrace  attack  path  management  in  your  organization  without  causing  harm  to  your  system’s
            environment, Cyber Guards suggests platforms like XM Cyber for Attack Path. It’s important to note that
            organizations should not test in a production environment without permission.

            Attack path management and continuous security testing complement each other effectively. By adopting
            both methodologies, organizations can assess their vulnerabilities comprehensively, eliminate potential
            attack paths, and fine-tune their defense mechanisms confidently. Ultimately, this will help organizations
            improve their cyber defense posture, reduce the risk of successful attacks, and protect their critical assets
            and data.



            Embracing Innovation: Approaches for Comprehensive Cybersecurity

            Embracing continuous cybersecurity testing can help organizations stay one step ahead of threat actors
            by ensuring no gaps in their understanding of their security posture, making it much more difficult for
            attackers to find and exploit security weaknesses. Furthermore, complementing continuous testing with
            attack  path  management  allows  organizations  to  take  a  contextual  approach  to  protect  their  critical
            assets,  fine-tuning  their  defense  mechanisms  and  reducing  the  paths  attackers  might  use  to  target
            valuable assets. By exploring innovative approaches beyond traditional methods to safeguard against
            potential  security  breaches,  organizations  can  confidently  navigate  the  ever-changing  landscape  of
            cybersecurity and mitigate risks more comprehensively.











            Cyber Defense eMagazine – December 2023 Edition                                                                                                                                                                                                          185
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