Government agencies have increasingly embraced remote work and edge computing deployments in recent years, which has led to a greater reliance on cloud computing and other modernization efforts. While these developments have improved agencies’ effectiveness in fulfilling their missions, they have also created a larger cyberattack surface, and cyber attackers are taking advantage.
According to Microsoft’s Digital Defense Report, 46 percent of nation-state cyberattacks in one year specifically targeted the U.S. government. This poses a significant threat to public trust, and the cost of cyber breaches is on the rise. The IBM 2021 Cost of a Data Breach report revealed that data breaches became 10 percent more expensive in 2021, with the average cost of a breach in the public sector reaching $1.93 million. Additionally, it takes an average of 287 days for agencies to detect and contain a breach, leading to increased costs and heightened danger.
With the increasing number and severity of cyber threats, government agencies relying on traditional detection technologies are at a serious disadvantage. Cyber attackers are employing sophisticated methods that are difficult to detect. These include stealthy attacks, where adversaries use purpose-built playbooks and a deep understanding of their target’s environment to remain hidden. In fact, 91 percent of incidents do not generate a security alert, posing a threat even to well-defended agencies.
Furthermore, traditional defenses designed to detect malicious code are ineffective against human-operated attacks. For instance, 68 percent of attacks do not use malware, making it challenging for agencies to defend against tactics like ransomware, where the attack is directed by a person. Sophisticated attackers utilize advanced techniques such as legitimate credentials and built-in tools to bypass traditional defenses, putting pressure on security teams with limited resources to hunt for these threats.
Compiling vast amounts of data in security information and event management (SIEM) systems to search for signs of an attack can also overwhelm security teams with an abundance of alerts. In fact, 45 percent of these alerts turn out to be false positives. This flood of alerts hinders the ability to detect big threats buried among the noise, leading to potential vulnerabilities.
To confront this growing danger, government agencies need to implement active defense strategies. One such strategy is the use of deception technology, which involves creating a fake attack surface to distract intruders from sensitive data or systems. Deception technology leverages honeypots, or false assets, that trigger an alarm when attackers interact with them. These decoys can mimic various production assets, including endpoints, files, services, databases, and user credentials. By using deception technology, defenders can track attackers’ movements, identify targeted assets, slow down their progress, and monitor their tactics.
Deception technology provides several benefits, including pre-breach warnings that detect stealthy activities before an actual breach occurs. Additionally, application decoys and endpoint lures intercept adversaries who have bypassed perimeter defenses, limiting their ability to maneuver and find targets undetected. Deception technology also plays a crucial role in defending against ransomware by acting as landmines that detect the presence of ransomware at every stage. Moreover, deception technology integrates seamlessly with third-party security tools, allowing for real-time threat containment through automated rapid-response actions.
One of the most powerful approaches to cybersecurity involves integrating deception technology into a zero-trust system. While zero trust architecture does not typically include a threat detection component, adding deception technology as tripwires within a zero-trust environment enhances its capabilities. Deception decoys can identify compromised users or lateral movement across the network, providing an extra layer of protection.
Implementing deception technology can save time and reduce costs for government agencies. By setting up honeypots and waiting, agencies can detect advanced attacks without high operational overhead. As legitimate users have no reason to interact with fake assets, the rate of false positives is significantly reduced. This integration of deception technology not only enhances threat detection but also adds a powerful layer of defense across the enterprise.
In conclusion, as government agencies continue to expand remote work and edge computing deployments, they must be vigilant against the increasing cyber threats they face. Deception technology offers a proactive defense approach by providing a fake attack surface to distract and track intruders. When combined with a zero-trust architecture, agencies can enhance their cybersecurity capabilities and effectively detect and respond to sophisticated attacks. By investing in these advanced security measures, government agencies can protect public trust, mitigate the rising costs of cyber breaches, and ensure the effectiveness of their missions.