3 Unexpected Security Risks You Might Not Have Considered (And How to Fix Them)

The evolving threat landscape in our dynamic business environment presents new and unexpected security risks that often catch organisations off-guard. While many businesses invest heavily in cybersecurity measures, some crucial vulnerabilities often remain overlooked. In this blog, we'll delve into three often-neglected security risks:

• Identity Protection,
• Attack Surface Management, and
• Sensitive Data Discovery.

By understanding these risks and implementing effective strategies, organisations can bolster their cybersecurity defences and safeguard their digital assets.

1. Identity Protection: Securing the Digital Persona

Identity theft is not a new concept, but its scope has expanded significantly with the rise of digital platforms and remote work. As more business activities transition online, the exposure of digital identities becomes a critical concern. Attackers can exploit weak authentication methods, social engineering, and compromised credentials to gain unauthorised access to sensitive information.

Risk: Organisations often focus on perimeter security, neglecting the need for robust identity protection measures. This leaves them vulnerable to unauthorised access, data breaches, and potentially severe financial and reputational damage if identity is compromised.

Solution: Adopting a Zero Trust framework is crucial to address this risk. Zero Trust emphasises strict access controls and verification for every user and device, regardless of location or previous access history. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) should become the norm, making it significantly harder for attackers to compromise accounts. Additionally, educating employees about the dangers of social engineering and implementing strong password policies can go a long way in mitigating this risk.

2. Attack Surface Management: Identifying and Securing Vulnerable Entry Points

The growing attack surface of modern organisations includes various endpoints, network devices, and software applications, both on premise and in the cloud. Attackers constantly seek vulnerabilities in these systems to gain unauthorised access or deploy malicious software.

Risk: Organisations often underestimate the breadth of their attack surface. Unmonitored devices, forgotten servers, or unprotected IoT devices, even cloud services can serve as entry points for attackers, leading to potential data breaches or network infiltration.

Solution: Regularly conducting thorough vulnerability assessments and penetration testing can help identify and mitigate potential risks. Implementing a robust asset management system to keep track of all devices and software applications within the organisation's network is vital. Additionally, promptly applying security patches and updates is crucial in reducing the attack surface and minimising vulnerabilities.

3. Sensitive Data Discovery: Knowing What You're Protecting and Where It Is

Sensitive data discovery involves understanding where sensitive information resides, both internally and externally. This is crucial for regulatory compliance and safeguarding sensitive customer and company information.

Risk: Organisations often struggle to keep track of their sensitive data. While it may be well protected in the central database, there are often copies, extracts, backups, reports etc. that are not as well managed. This can lead to accidental exposure or non-compliance with data protection regulations. The consequences of mishandling sensitive data can be severe, including hefty fines and damage to the organisation's reputation.

Solution: Implementing Sensitive Data Discovery or Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solutions can aid in identifying, monitoring, and protecting sensitive data across various endpoints and networks. Regular audits and data classification efforts help ensure sensitive data is appropriately labelled and secured. Furthermore, employee training on data handling practices and compliance regulations is essential to creating a culture of data security.

Key Takeaways

In an increasingly digital world, understanding the dynamic nature of cybersecurity threats is paramount. The three unexpected security risks we discussed - Identity Protection, Attack Surface Management, and Sensitive Data Discovery - highlight the need for organisations to adopt a holistic and proactive approach to security. By implementing robust measures, such as Zero Trust principles, vulnerability assessments, asset management, and data loss prevention solutions, organisations can significantly enhance their security posture.

Effective cyber security is not a one-time task but an ongoing commitment to protecting sensitive information and maintaining the trust of customers and stakeholders alike. Collaborating with experienced cyber security partners like Vectra can further aid organisations in staying ahead of evolving threats and safeguarding their digital assets.

Vectra is an Australian leader in providing security consulting, risk management, compliance, and managed services. You can trust us to help you identify and address cyber risks threatening your organisation’s security.

Find out how Vectra can help your business stay on top of security risks.