In the ever-evolving field of cybersecurity, we all know the importance of our defense. But, have you ever stopped to ask – How can we protect what we don’t know we have? As an industry, we need to recognize a crucial point – everything begins with asset management.
Asset management is the cornerstone of our defenses. It is an organization’s digital blueprint, detailing all the equipment, systems, software, and data that together form its digital footprint. Without good asset management, we lack visibility of what we must safeguard. Yet, all too often, we encounter an alarming truth: many organizations lack a comprehensive understanding of their own assets.
Without a comprehensive asset inventory and a clear image of what we must defend, it’s impossible to implement effective detection and response strategies. Worse, we might be unaware of entire systems that might be full of vulnerabilities that could be the source of an incident.
Understanding our digital assets involves more than merely cataloging hardware and software. It also includes knowing the data we hold, the people who have access to it, and the third-party services we use. Asset management is a dynamic process that requires continual attention and updates to stay relevant.
Often, the view from an attacker’s side, known as reconnaissance or “recon,” can offer a valuable perspective. When hackers perform recon, by looking at organizations from the outside in, they see a different picture and use innovative tricks and techniques that can reveal assets the organizations’ defenders weren’t aware of. They are able to identify unseen entry points, unnoticed vulnerabilities, and unrecognized assets. This perspective holds great value, it offers an opportunity to tighten defenses and further increase the security of organizations.
On the other hand, before diving into the protection of an online attack surface, understanding its scope is vital. Prioritizing security measures is essential, but it is equally important to address areas that may go unnoticed due to a lack of awareness. While focusing on protecting the “crown jewels” is natural, accidents often occur in overlooked areas.
In conclusion, let’s remind ourselves of this important takeaway: Asset management isn’t a one-off task – it’s a process. It should form the foundation of a solid cybersecurity strategy. And please keep in mind: it’s not about understanding everything and being in full control, that’s an illusion for all of us and important to remember. It’s a continuous process of taking one step at a time and taking your time to think about your next step.
By embracing the perspective of those who can see what defending teams might miss, we can discover and protect a larger share of our assets. So remember, it all starts with asset management – you can’t protect what you don’t know you have.
