Exposed Internal Asset

An exposed internal asset, in the context of cybersecurity, refers to a network resource, system, or device within an organization's internal network that is accessible or visible to unauthorized parties, either intentionally or unintentionally. Unlike external assets directly accessible from the Internet, internal assets are typically located within the organization's perimeter network or behind firewalls and other security controls. However, exposure may occur due to misconfigurations, security lapses, or insider threats, allowing unauthorized users or attackers to access internal assets and potentially compromise sensitive data, systems, or resources. Exposed internal assets include databases with weak access controls, unpatched servers, misconfigured network devices, unprotected file shares, or unauthorized devices connected to the internal network. Exposed internal assets pose significant security risks and may lead to data breaches, insider threats, lateral movement by attackers, and other cybersecurity incidents. Thus, organizations need to put strong security measures in place to reduce the risks associated with exposed internal assets and shield their internal network infrastructure from illegal access and exploitation. These measures include network segmentation, access controls, intrusion detection systems, and continuous monitoring.

External attack surface management (EASM), digital risk protection (DRP), and security ratings solutions like ThreatNG are crucial in identifying and mitigating risks associated with exposed internal assets by providing comprehensive visibility into an organization's digital footprint and internal network infrastructure. For example, ThreatNG's capabilities to assess for internal asset exposure can identify misconfigurations, unauthorized devices, or unprotected resources within the internal network that may be visible or accessible to unauthorized parties. When integrated with complementary security solutions such as network intrusion detection systems (NIDS), vulnerability management platforms, and endpoint security solutions, ThreatNG can facilitate seamless handoffs by providing actionable intelligence and alerts. If ThreatNG detects exposed internal assets, it can trigger alerts in the NIDS to monitor for suspicious activities, in the vulnerability management platform to prioritize remediation efforts, or in the endpoint security solution to quarantine or block unauthorized devices or connections, thereby reducing the risk of unauthorized access and exploitation of internal assets. This collaborative approach strengthens an organization's ability to proactively manage and secure its internal network infrastructure against potential threats and vulnerabilities.