Networking and Security
Networking & Security technologies encompass a broad spectrum of hardware, software, and services designed to establish, protect, and manage the interconnected systems within an organization's network infrastructure. These technologies ensure the secure transmission of data, protect against unauthorized access, and maintain network resources' overall integrity and availability.
Importance of Knowing Sanctioned and Unsanctioned Usage:
Risk Management: Identifying all networking and security technologies used within an organization, whether sanctioned or unsanctioned, is crucial for understanding the overall risk exposure. Unsanctioned tools can introduce vulnerabilities and create blind spots in the security posture, making the organization more susceptible to cyberattacks.
Security Posture: A comprehensive inventory of networking and security tools allows organizations to accurately assess their current security posture. This knowledge is essential for identifying gaps in protection, implementing necessary controls, and prioritizing remediation efforts.
Compliance: Regulatory requirements often mandate specific security controls and measures for protecting sensitive data and critical infrastructure. Knowing which technologies are in use ensures compliance with relevant regulations and standards.
Incident Response: A clear understanding of the network architecture and security tools is vital for an effective response to a security incident. It helps identify the root cause, contain the breach, and restore normal operations swiftly.
Vendor Management: Many networking and security solutions are provided by third-party vendors. Using unsanctioned tools can introduce vendor risks, such as inadequate security practices or lack of support.
External Identifiability:
Networking and security technologies can often be identified externally through various means:
Network Traffic Analysis: Monitoring network traffic can reveal communication patterns with specific vendors or cloud services.
DNS Records: Domain names and subdomains associated with security vendors can be identified through DNS queries.
Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT): Publicly available information, such as job postings, company websites, or social media, can reveal details about the technologies in use.
Identifying whether these technologies are on-premise or cloud-based is also crucial. On-premise solutions often require internal resources for maintenance and updates, while cloud-based solutions rely on the security practices of the cloud provider.
Types and Vendors (with Cybersecurity Considerations):
Network Monitoring:
ThousandEyes: Provides visibility into network performance and internet connectivity. It's crucial to secure access to the ThousandEyes platform and monitor for unauthorized changes or configurations.
Networking Hardware & Software:
Cisco and Citrix: These vendors offer a wide range of networking equipment and software solutions. Ensuring timely updates, patches, and configuration hardening is essential to protect against vulnerabilities and attacks.
Web Application Security:
Detectify: A web application vulnerability scanner that helps identify and remediate security flaws in web applications. Regular scans and timely patching are critical to mitigate the risk of web attacks.
Cybersecurity:
Broadcom, FoxIT, Sophos: These vendors offer comprehensive cybersecurity solutions, including endpoint protection, firewalls, and threat intelligence. Choosing reputable vendors and updating their solutions to address emerging threats is essential.
Crowdsourced Security:
BugCrowd: A platform for crowdsourced security testing where ethical hackers find and report vulnerabilities. Ensure proper program management and vulnerability disclosure processes to avoid potential security risks.
Account Takeover Prevention:
SpyCloud: Helps protect against account takeover attacks by monitoring for leaked credentials and providing real-time alerts.
Email Security:
Agari, DMARC Analyzer, DMARCIAN, EasyDMARC, Mimecast, Proofpoint, Red Sift, SMTPeter: These vendors offer email security solutions that protect against phishing, spam, and other email-borne threats. Proper configuration and ongoing monitoring are essential to ensure optimal protection.
Email Authentication:
Valimail: Ensures email authenticity using DMARC, DKIM, and SPF protocols. Properly implementing and validating these protocols is crucial for preventing email spoofing and phishing attacks.
Email Deliverability:
Validity: Helps improve email deliverability by verifying email lists and monitoring sender reputation.
Email Verification:
Kickbox: Verifies email addresses to ensure they are valid and deliverable. It helps reduce bounce rates and improve email marketing effectiveness.
ThreatNG: Fortifying Network and Security Infrastructure through External Intelligence
ThreatNG offers comprehensive visibility and risk assessment for an organization's network and security infrastructure by identifying and analyzing externally visible components. Here's how ThreatNG can help:
Uncover Shadow IT and Unknown Assets: ThreatNG can discover unauthorized network devices, cloud services, or software components deployed without IT approval. This helps identify shadow IT risks and potential entry points for attackers.
Detect Misconfigurations and Vulnerabilities: ThreatNG scans network devices, firewalls, and security tools for misconfigurations. It also identifies known vulnerabilities in software components, allowing for timely patching and remediation.
Monitor for Data Leaks and Breaches: ThreatNG continuously monitors the dark web and other sources for leaked credentials, sensitive data, or exposed network configurations. This early warning system enables rapid response to potential breaches.
Assess Third-Party and Supply Chain Risks: ThreatNG analyzes vendors' and suppliers' network and security postures to provide insights into risk profiles. This information helps organizations evaluate their partners' security practices and make informed collaboration decisions.
Working with Complementary Solutions:
ThreatNG's effectiveness is amplified when integrated with existing security solutions within an organization:
Vulnerability Scanners: ThreatNG's external findings can be correlated with internal vulnerability scans to prioritize remediation efforts based on the most critical risks.
Security Information and Event Management (SIEM): ThreatNG's alerts can be ingested into SIEM systems, providing a comprehensive view of the threat landscape and enabling faster incident response.
Network Access Control (NAC): ThreatNG's data can be used to enforce access policies and restrict network access for devices with known vulnerabilities or unauthorized configurations.
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR): ThreatNG's external intelligence can enrich EDR alerts, providing additional context for investigations and response actions.
Example Workflow:
ThreatNG Discovery: ThreatNG identifies an outdated and vulnerable version of a Cisco router on a branch office network.
Vulnerability Scanner Correlation: The organization's vulnerability scanner confirms the vulnerability and its severity.
SIEM Alert and Prioritization: An alert is raised in the SIEM system, highlighting the critical risk and providing context from both ThreatNG and the vulnerability scanner.
Remediation: The security team promptly updates the router's firmware, mitigating the vulnerability and reducing the risk of network compromise.
Overall Benefits
ThreatNG offers several benefits for organizations seeking to strengthen their network and security infrastructure:
Reduced Attack Surface: By identifying and addressing vulnerabilities and misconfigurations, organizations can significantly reduce their attack surface and minimize the risk of cyber attacks.
Proactive Risk Management: ThreatNG's continuous monitoring and analysis allow for early detection and proactive mitigation of potential threats, reducing the likelihood of successful attacks.
Enhanced Security Posture: By addressing external risks, organizations can strengthen their security posture and demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding their data and systems.
Improved Compliance: ThreatNG helps organizations adhere to regulatory requirements by identifying potential compliance violations in network and security configurations.Streamlined Incident Response: Integration with existing security tools enables faster and more effective incident response, minimizing the impact of potential breaches.
Increased Visibility and Control: ThreatNG provides a comprehensive view of the organization's external attack surface, enabling security teams to prioritize and address the most critical risks effectively.
By incorporating ThreatNG into their cybersecurity strategy, organizations can proactively manage network and security risks, protect their critical assets, and maintain a robust security posture in the face of evolving threats.
