A recent report has revealed that more than half of organizations consider securing their entire attack surface as their top priority when it comes to cybersecurity. This emphasizes the importance of external attack surface management solutions in preventing attacks and protecting organizations.
The lack of visibility plays a significant role in this issue. While some of it can be attributed to the capabilities of the tools used by organizations, a significant portion is due to a lack of understanding or misconfiguration of the attack surface. The constantly evolving enterprise environments, including new technologies, updates, new vendors, and third-party connections, also contribute to the complexity of securing the attack surface.
Another key finding from the report is that 65% of security teams lack qualified resources, leading to burnout among senior leaders and their team members. This shortage of skilled professionals puts organizations at a higher risk of experiencing security breaches and makes it even more challenging to protect their attack surfaces effectively.
To address these challenges, many organizations have turned to defensive measures such as zero trust and cyberinsurance. In the past year, 58% of respondents have shifted to or increased their adoption of zero trust. This strategy is driven by various factors, including increased global tensions, nation-state actors, and the White House’s new cybersecurity strategy. Zero trust provides organizations with a more effective security model that assumes zero trust for both internal and external networks.
Cyberinsurance is another measure that organizations have taken to mitigate the risks associated with cyberattacks. The report reveals that 91% of respondents have cyberinsurance in place. However, it is concerning that 27% of them do not fully understand the obligations of their insurance policies. This lack of understanding can leave organizations vulnerable and unprepared in the event of a cyberattack.
According to experts, the insurance market itself is undergoing significant changes, with evolving standards, claim processes, and policy assessment types. This makes it even more crucial for organizations to have a clear understanding of their cyberinsurance policies and ensure they are adequately covered.
The report also highlights the effectiveness of paying ransoms in resolving cyber incidents. According to a recent survey, 75% of ransomware payees reported that paying the ransom resolved all the expected problems. Additionally, 22% considered paying the ransom as a cost-saving measure, while 53% saw it as a way to minimize downtime. However, it is important to note that paying the ransom does not guarantee a complete resolution of the issue and can potentially encourage further attacks in the future.
Overall, this report sheds light on the pressing need for organizations to prioritize securing their entire attack surface and invest in external attack surface management solutions. It also underscores the importance of having qualified resources in cybersecurity teams and ensuring a clear understanding of cyberinsurance policies. By taking proactive measures and staying informed about the evolving threat landscape, organizations can better protect themselves from cyber threats and mitigate potential damages.