Mastering External Attack Surface Management

As we move through an age of “digital transformation” companies are facing tough challenges. Their external attack surface is quickly growing, making them more vulnerable to cyber threats and risks1. 83% of attacks originate from external sources, hitting a company's network perimeters1. This statistic alone shows just how important it is to understand and manage your External Attack Surface (EASM).

This guide offers key insights, practical steps, and top techniques for handling EASM2. It explains using the Principle of Least Privilege, improving vulnerability and patch management, and enhancing cloud security and Web App security2. You’ll also learn about third-party risk management, IoT security, and creating an incident response plan. These are all crucial for a strong EASM program.

Key Takeaways

Understand the critical importance of EASM in safeguarding your organization's digital assets
Discover the key components of the external attack surface, including internet-facing assets, cloud services, and web applications
Learn effective techniques for mapping and continuously monitoring your organization's external attack surface
Explore strategies for reducing the external attack surface through secure configurations and vulnerability management
Gain insights into the role of web application security, third-party risk management, and incident response in EASM
If you are interested in assessing your external attack surface, please consider letting N8tive partner with you by filling out our contact form or emailing: contact@n8tivesec.com

Introduction to External Attack Surface Management

Organizations are rapidly migrating to the cloud. Because of this, the risk from cyber attacks has sharply increased 3. Now, organizations must secure technologies that range from on-premises to services in the cloud, mobile apps, and even IoT devices 3.

What is External Attack Surface Management?

External Attack Surface Management (EASM) means keeping track of and checking an organization's digital footprint that face the internet. The goal is to reduce risks of cyber attacks by addressing identifiable vulnerabilities 3.. The N8tive approach informs security teams about their weak spots, allowing them to put strong defenses in place, and keep up with new threats 3.

Importance of External Attack Surface Management

Focusing only on what we know about is not enough. Often, we forget about all the new or unwatched areas that might be easy targets for threat actors 3. Bringing in new tech without solid security can make things worse. It can create more dangers and raise the chances of cyber attacks succeeding 3. EASM steps, like finding assets, checking for problems, watching for threats, and making systems safe, are key in stopping outside attacks 3. By watching the outside risks and acting fast on threats, organizations can protect critical data and services 3.

Yet, handling the external attack surface has its own set of tough issues. Things like a mix of IT systems, changing situations with assets, hidden digital spaces, risks from third parties, and new threats all add to the challenge 3. To face these, many organizations are now using special EASM tools. These tools help spot problems, cut risks, meet compliance rules, and improve how they respond to attacks. Developing a strong EASM plan helps organizations keep their guard up against an ever evolving threat landscape. 3.

Key Components of the External Attack Surface

The external attack surface includes many digital assets such as servers, cloud services, and web applications 4. Threat actors find ways into organizations by looking for weaknesses and leveraging vulnerabilities in the external facing systems.5 Knowing your organizations digital footprint is essential to managing risks and protecting data.

Internet-Facing Assets

Digital resources that anyone can access online are internet-facing assets. Think of servers, databases, and web applications4. Attackers are drawn to these because they offer direct access to an organization's data and network. It's vital to find and protect these resources.

Cloud Services and Infrastructure

As companies move to the cloud, the cloud's servers, storage, and databases become part of their risk 5. It's important to set up and secure these cloud resources well. Whether you are using a private cloud, AWS, Azure, or GCP, if you are unsure about how to assess your cloud security posture, we would be happy to advise you on cloud security best practices or perform an assessment. Contact us to learn more how N8tive can help.

Web Applications and APIs

Web applications and APIs are significant and growing targets for attackers 5. They face many types of attacks, such as injection, broken access control or cross-site scripting. By enhancing the security on your external web apps and APIs, you make a big difference in lowering your cyber risk 4.

Key EASM Capabilities	Benefits

Asset discovery and inventory	Comprehensive visibility into the external attack surface
Vulnerability assessment and prioritization	Identification and remediation of security weaknesses
Threat monitoring and intelligence	Real-time detection and response to emerging threats
Continuous monitoring and change detection	Proactive risk management and compliance alignment

Key Components of the External Attack Surface	Examples	Risks
Internet-Facing Assets	Servers, databases, web applications	Direct path for cyber attackers, exploitation of vulnerabilities
Cloud Services and Infrastructure	Cloud-based servers, storage, databases	Improper configuration, misconfiguration of cloud resources
Web Applications and APIs	Public-facing web apps, APIs	Injection vulnerabilities, authentication and authorization issues

Mapping and Discovering the External Attack Surface

Finding and charting an organization's full external attack surface is key. N8tive offers an Attack Surface Assurance service to help in managing external threats effectively. We use different tactics to find out about assets, cloud services, and websites that are out in the open which may expose an organization to unneeded risk 7.

Attack Surface Enumeration Techniques

For a holistic view of the external attack surface, we perform a mix of passive and active enumeration techniques. Passive enumeration utilizes internet-based tools to identify externally facing assets. Active scanning, on the other hand, reaches out to systems directly to gather information. 8. We also perform OSINT information gathering, looked for leaked credentials and vulnerability scanning. These methods uncover both what's already known and what's much less known 9.

Shadow IT and Rogue Asset Discovery

Finding out what's part of the external attack surface is hard when shadow IT and rogue assets are present. These are IT systems or services that sneak in unnoticed. They're often set up by employees or small business teams without official IT department approval. It's vital to track and manage them. Otherwise, they could pose major security threats 8. Keeping an asset and software inventory of your known public-facing assets helps reduce the risk of being compromised by an unpatched shadow asset.

The following table is a list of things you can do internally to help address the creep of your external attack surface.

Technique	Description
Passive Scanning	Monitoring network traffic to identify and catalog internet-facing assets
Active Scanning	Proactively interacting with systems to gather more detailed information
Network Traffic Analysis	Analyzing network traffic patterns to uncover the presence of shadow IT and rogue assets
Cloud Infrastructure Monitoring	Continuously monitoring cloud-based services and infrastructure for unauthorized deployments
Employee Interviews	Engaging with employees to identify any unsanctioned systems or services they may be using

A thorough approach to mapping and discovering the attack surface is crucial. It gives organizations a better grip on external threats. This enables them to act proactively in risk reduction 8.

External Attack Surface Management

External Attack Surface Management (EASM) is key in the cybersecurity world but many organizations don't know about or manage 64% of their assets that are connected to the internet, according to Reposify's findings 11. N8tive uses many methods to identify assets, checks them for weaknesses, advise on secure configuration, and help your business manage risks from third-parties. We offer “done for you” and “built for you” services to help you with EASM. The goal being to make your attack surface smaller, handle weaknesses, and get better at understanding threats so that the risks to your business are reduced.

Partnering together to begin an EASM program can bring quick wins. For example, some organizations have seen a 70% reduction in their attack surface and also found 7% fewer major problems, like credentials in open online repositories, in the first 12 months of starting an EASM program 12.

External Attack Surface Management is more than “check box” security, it makes up a large part of an overall cyber security strategy. Knowing where your weaknesses are and assigning an appropriate level of risk to prioritize resolving these concerns further ensures your resilience against compromises.

Reducing the External Attack Surface

Managing the external attack surface well is key to strong cybersecurity. Attack surface reduction lowers the chances for hackers to get in. It's done by using good external attack surface management (EASM) processes. This helps see what's at risk, fix problems, and keep an eye out for new threats.

Removing Unnecessary Services and Ports

Getting rid of things you don't need online is a big step. Identifying and removing unnecessary exposure means there are fewer chances for bad actors to find a way in. This can happen through unchecked doors like unused ports and services. So, by finding and stopping these, you make your systems safer.

Implementing Secure Configurations

It's also vital to set up things the right way. This means making sure your online assets are secure. You do this by putting in strong access controls, using good encryption, and keeping everything up to date. This effort cuts down on mistakes that hackers could use against you.

Metric	Improvement
Visibility of exposures and security risks	55% improvement
Investigation time using automatic alert configurations	60% reduction
Overall reduction of external attack surface risks	75%

Comprehensive EASM solutions do a lot for protecting your data. They give better risk checks and keep your reputation in the market. They help react to threats faster, find weak spots, and can show how you're fixing things over time. Plus, they make handling risks and patching easier and faster.

Being proactive to slim down your weak spots and stand up systems securely cuts risk. This means ditching what's not needed and locking down what you do keep. By doing this, you build stronger protection for your valuable data against online dangers.

Continuous Monitoring of the External Attack Surface

To keep the outside attack surface safe, regular assessments must happen because of the pace at which environments change and new vulnerabilities are found. This includes noticing any changes, like new or missing assets. It is especially important to perform an assessment after a merger, acquisition or divestiture.

We know the CapEx for tools can be significant, not to mention the operational expense of having an employee administer them. That is why we offer a variety of EASM services to fit your unique need. Whether you need a one-time assessment, multiple assessments a year, or a partner to build an internal EASM program for you, N8tive has you covered.

Change Detection and Alerting

Good monitoring means always watching for updates to an entity's online space15. It means spotting new online assets, cloud features, or web apps. And also noticing if any go missing. Doing this in real-time lets security teams quickly spot possible weak points or ways in for attacks15.

Automated Vulnerability Scanning

Continuous monitoring means always checking for external risks 15. Scanning tools look for spots that are not well protected, like networks or cloud devices 16. Checking security constantly helps security teams prioritize fixing the important things first and checking off all critical issues fast 15.

High-end, costly tools like Mandiant Attack Surface Management can be good for this job 14. They give a clear view of how your digital world is changing all the time. This enables groups to stay a step ahead, managing threats well and keeping a strong guard against attacks 15 14 16.

Web Application Security in External Attack Surface Management

With cyber threats always evolving, web applications and APIs are key targets. They are part of the external attack surface organizations need to protect 17. It's vital to use a Secure Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) approach. This ensures web apps are made with security as a top priority. Also, adding strong Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) and API Gateways offers more defense against attacks and common flaws.

Secure Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC)

The Secure Software Development Lifecycle mixes security into the making of software from start to finish. This means jumping on potential issues before they can be used against you. There are many steps involved, like thinking through possible threats, coding securely, and checking for weaknesses often 17. Using a Secure SDLC can shrink the places attackers might target your web apps, making them a lot safer. For more information on secure coding practices, our friends Startup Security, are experts in this area!

Web Application Firewalls (WAFs)

Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) are like hard guards for your web apps and APIs. They're set up to defend against attacks like SQL injection and cross-site scripting. WAFs use both set rules and smart learning to stop attacks right away 18. With a WAF, your web applications are safer from harm. This extra layer keeps the bad guys out and your data secure.

To truly protect against external threats, using Secure SDLC and WAFs are vital. It helps lock down your web apps and APIs. This drops your chances of being compromised by an attack and makes your digital space much tougher for threat actors to breach 17 18 19.

Third-Party Risk Management

An organization's external attack surface goes beyond its digital assets, involving third-party services and vendors 20. It is critical to manage third-party risks by assessing vendor risks and ensuring proper supply chain security 20.

Vendor Risk Assessment

Assessing vendor risks is vital in third-party risk management. Tools like Panorays may be good for this as they automatically check and track vendors' security levels21.

These tools give a real-time risk score for each vendor relationship. This helps organizations know which vulnerabilities to focus on first, based on their goals 21. They also offer plans that are specific to each vendor, to help them improve their security21.

Supply Chain Security

Big companies now work with an average of 175 third parties for their IT needs 22. This high number stresses the importance of strong supply chain security. Attacks to the supply chain show the need for deeper insights into your vendors and business partners 22.

AI is becoming crucial in managing these risks. It helps with better risk evaluations, speeds up security checks, and finds weak points in digital workflows 22.

But, using AI also brings its own security worries. These include privacy issues and the challenge of keeping up with the rapid AI adoption by suppliers 22. For more in-depth information on AI, check out our AI Security article.

Good third-party risk management, including vendor checks and supply chain security, is key to reducing risks from outside attacks 20. With the right tools, companies can see risks clearly, fix problems, and raise their cybersecurity level 21. N8tive’s EASM service can leveraged to assess aspects of your business partners, vendors, and competitors security posture.

Incident Response and Remediation

Even with strong practices in External Attack Surface Management (EASM), incidents can still happen. Organizations must be ready to deal with these issues effectively 23. This means being able to detect and respond to attack surface breaches. Having a clear plan to respond to security incidents and reduce the impact of these incidents is crucial. If you need help with Incident Response planning, building Detections, or starting your security journey, we would love to help advise and provide a sounding board. Drop us a line, contact@n8tivesec.com

Incident Response Planning

Experts stand by External Attack Surface Management (EASM) as one of the most important aspects of cybersecurity 23. Using tools and analysis helps get the right information about your external risks 23. Failures in managing these risks can lead to big problems, like the Equifax case 23.

Attack Surface Management (ASM) is about always knowing what IT assets your company has 24. EASM, as described by Gartner, is the use of special processes and tools to watch over assets that can be reached from the internet. This includes spotting incorrectly set up cloud services and weak points in third-party software 24.

CAASM is Gartner’s term for a more specialized ASM. It's all about using more technology to see and understand any digital risks your assets might bring. This includes working closely with software and keeping a close watch on any vulnerabilities 24.

Gartner sees EASM and CAASM as key parts of a bigger whole. Along with services to protect from digital risks, they all make up what's now called attack surface assessment (ASA). This change in name is to make things clearer in the industry, but it really hasn’t worked 24.

ASM has a lot of benefits like cutting risks, following standards, getting ready for emergencies, and making your assets stronger against threats 24. But, putting ASM solutions in place isn’t always easy. It can cause too many alerts, not enough info, and it might not grow as you do 24.

Conclusion

Looking back at what we've learned, mastering EASM is vital in today's cybersecurity world. Strong strategies in this area help spot and reduce risks from attacks. This makes it possible for security teams to improve their defenses against new cyber threats 25.

This article has covered the basics, best methods, and new trends in EASM. It offers readers insights and knowledge to protect their online assets. We talked about finding and managing your external attack surface. Plus, we shared tips and tools to keep you one step ahead 26.

As we move forward, the value of EASM will keep increasing. Our online presence is getting bigger and our IT systems are becoming more complex. Cyber threats are always changing so to stay safe and succeed in the digital world, companies need to manage their attack surfaces well 25 4.

One last pitch before you go, if you need help we are here for you!

Best wishes and stay secure out there,

The N8tive Team