Asset inventory management in cybersecurity is continuously discovering, identifying, classifying, and tracking all hardware and software assets connected to an organization's network, internally and externally. This includes devices, applications, data, cloud resources, and digital assets like social media accounts and domains. Effective asset inventory management is crucial for maintaining a strong security posture. It provides a clear understanding of what needs to be protected and allows for better vulnerability management, risk assessment, and incident response.  

How ThreatNG Helps with Asset Inventory Management

ThreatNG's features and capabilities contribute significantly to effective asset inventory management in the following ways:

1. Comprehensive Discovery:

• Uncover Known and Unknown Assets: ThreatNG's external attack surface management capabilities go beyond traditional inventory tools. They continuously scan and discover internet-facing assets, including those that may be unknown to the organization (shadow IT). 

• Deep Dive into Domains and Subdomains: ThreatNG identifies all associated domains and subdomains through its Domain Intelligence module, providing a complete picture of the organization's web presence.  

• Identify Cloud and SaaS Assets: ThreatNG discovers sanctioned and unsanctioned cloud services, exposed cloud buckets, and various SaaS applications the organization uses.  

• Social Media and Code Repositories: ThreatNG identifies organizational presence on social media platforms and code-sharing websites, bringing these often-overlooked assets into the inventory.  

2. Continuous Monitoring:

• Real-time Updates: ThreatNG continuously monitors the digital landscape for changes in the organization's asset inventory, ensuring it is always current. 

• Track Asset Changes: This feature detects new assets, decommissioned assets, and modifications to existing assets, providing real-time visibility into the evolving IT environment. 

• Alert on New Risks: ThreatNG alerts security teams to new vulnerabilities or risks associated with discovered assets, enabling proactive mitigation.  

3. Classification and Categorization:

• Prioritize Based on Risk: ThreatNG's assessment capabilities categorize assets based on risk level, criticality, and potential impact on the organization.  

• Dynamic Entity Management: This method defines and tracks assets based on various criteria, including business units, departments, ownership, and sensitivity. 

• Technology Stack Identification: ThreatNG identifies the organization's technologies, providing valuable context for vulnerability management and risk assessment.  

4. Reporting and Collaboration:

• Generate Detailed Inventory Reports: ThreatNG provides comprehensive inventory reports that clearly overview all discovered assets, their risk profiles, and associated vulnerabilities.  

• Facilitate Collaboration: Share inventory data and insights with different teams within the organization to ensure everyone understands the assets that need to be protected.

• Support Compliance Efforts: Maintain an accurate and up-to-date asset inventory to meet regulatory compliance requirements.

5. Integration with Complementary Solutions:

• Enhance Visibility with Internal Asset Discovery Tools: Integrate ThreatNG with internal vulnerability scanners and asset management tools to gain a complete view of internal and external assets.  

• CMDB Integration: ThreatNG's discovered assets are fed into a Configuration Management Database (CMDB) to centralize asset information and provide a single source of truth.

• SOAR Integration: Integrate with Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) platforms to automate security workflows and incident response processes based on asset inventory data.

Examples:

• Prioritize Patching Efforts: ThreatNG helps prioritize patching efforts for critical vulnerabilities affecting specific software versions by identifying all instances of that version across the organization's assets.

• Respond Effectively to Security Incidents: During a security incident, ThreatNG's asset inventory provides crucial information about the affected systems, their vulnerabilities, and their potential impact, enabling a faster and more effective response.

• Improve Compliance Reporting: ThreatNG's comprehensive asset inventory reports can be used to demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements, such as PCI DSS, HIPAA, or GDPR.

By leveraging ThreatNG's capabilities and integrating with other security solutions, organizations can establish a robust asset inventory management program that provides continuous visibility, improved risk management, and enhanced security posture.