Asset Types
In cybersecurity, "asset types" refer to the various categories of valuable resources that must be protected from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. These tangible or intangible assets are crucial for an organization's operations, reputation, and compliance.
Here are some common asset types in cybersecurity:
1. Devices:
Computers: Desktops, laptops, servers, workstations.
Mobile devices: Smartphones, tablets, wearables.
Network devices: Routers, switches, firewalls, wireless access points.
IoT devices: Smart devices, sensors, industrial control systems.
Peripherals: Printers, scanners, cameras.
2. Data:
Sensitive data: Personally identifiable information (PII), financial data, health information, intellectual property.
Business data: Customer data, employee data, financial records, operational data.
Configuration data: System settings, network configurations, application settings.
3. Applications:
Software applications: Operating systems, business applications, web applications, mobile apps.
Databases: Relational databases, NoSQL databases, data warehouses.
Cloud services: SaaS, PaaS, IaaS.
4. Network:
Network infrastructure: Routers, switches, firewalls, cables, wireless networks.
Network segments: VLANs, subnets, DMZs.
Domain names: Websites, email servers.
5. Users:
Employees: Internal users with access to organizational resources.
Customers: External users who interact with the organization's systems or services.
Partners: Third-party entities with access to specific organizational resources.
6. Infrastructure:
Physical infrastructure: Data centers, server rooms, network closets.
Virtual infrastructure: Virtual machines, containers, cloud infrastructure.
7. Intellectual Property:
Trade secrets: Confidential information that provides a competitive edge.
Patents: Exclusive rights granted for an invention.
Copyrights: Legal protection for original works of authorship.
8. Brand and Reputation:
Brand image: The public's perception of the organization.
Reputation: The organization's track record and trustworthiness.
It's important to note that this is not an exhaustive list, and the specific asset types may vary depending on the organization and industry. Organizations must identify and classify their assets to implement appropriate security controls and protect them from cyber threats.
ThreatNG, with its comprehensive suite of features, can significantly help organizations manage and secure their diverse asset types by:
1. Discovery and Assessment:
Identifying and classifying assets: ThreatNG's superior discovery capabilities can locate an organization's internet-facing assets, including domains, subdomains, IP addresses, cloud services, web applications, and more. This comprehensive inventory provides a clear picture of the organization's attack surface and helps prioritize security efforts.
Assessing vulnerabilities: ThreatNG's assessment capabilities can identify vulnerabilities associated with each asset, such as exposed APIs, weak security configurations, and susceptibility to BEC, phishing, ransomware, and other attacks. It allows organizations to address weaknesses and reduce their risk exposure proactively.
Monitoring: ThreatNG continuously monitors the organization's attack surface for new threats, vulnerabilities, and changes in the digital landscape. It ensures that any new risks are identified and addressed promptly.
Dark web monitoring: ThreatNG monitors the dark web for mentions of the organization, compromised credentials, and ransomware events, providing early warnings of potential threats.
3. Reporting and Intelligence Repositories:
Detailed reporting: ThreatNG provides detailed reports on the organization's security posture, including vulnerabilities, risk scores, and remediation recommendations. It helps organizations track their progress and make informed security decisions.
Threat intelligence: ThreatNG's intelligence repositories provide valuable insights into emerging threats, vulnerabilities, and attack trends. This information can be used to strengthen security controls and mitigate risks proactively.
Working with Complementary Solutions:
ThreatNG can integrate with other security solutions to enhance their effectiveness. For example:
Vulnerability scanners: ThreatNG can complement vulnerability scanners by providing external context and identifying vulnerabilities that internal scans may miss.
Security information and event management (SIEM) systems: ThreatNG can feed threat intelligence into SIEM systems to improve threat detection and response capabilities.
Threat intelligence platforms (TIPs): ThreatNG can enrich threat intelligence data from TIPs with unique insights and data sources.
Examples with Investigation Modules:
Domain Intelligence: ThreatNG can identify all subdomains associated with an organization's domain, including forgotten or unmanaged ones, and assess their security posture. It can help prevent subdomain takeover attacks.
Social Media: ThreatNG can monitor social media for mentions of the organization and identify potential brand damage or phishing campaigns that leverage social engineering.
Sensitive Code Exposure: ThreatNG can identify exposed code repositories containing sensitive information like API keys or passwords, allowing organizations to secure them before they are exploited.
Search Engine Exploitation: ThreatNG can identify sensitive information exposed through search engines, such as confidential documents or exposed server configurations, and help organizations take corrective action.
Cloud and SaaS Exposure: ThreatNG can discover unsanctioned cloud services or misconfigured cloud storage buckets, helping organizations enforce security policies and prevent data breaches.
Dark Web Presence: ThreatNG can identify compromised credentials associated with the organization's employees or mentions of the organization in dark web forums, allowing for proactive measures to mitigate potential threats.
By leveraging ThreatNG's comprehensive capabilities, organizations can effectively manage their diverse asset types, reduce their attack surface, and strengthen their overall security posture.
