Work Operating System (Work OS)
A Work Operating System (Work OS) is a cloud-based software platform designed to centralize and streamline various aspects of an organization's work processes. It is a central hub for collaboration, project management, communication, and data management. Work OS platforms typically offer features like task management, workflow automation, document sharing, communication tools, and dashboards for tracking progress.
Why Organizations Should Know All External Implementations, Third Parties, and Supply Chain for Cybersecurity:
Centralized Data Hub: Work OS platforms often serve as a repository for sensitive company data, including project plans, customer information, financial records, and intellectual property. Knowing where this data resides and how it flows through external systems is crucial for data protection and privacy compliance.
Expanded Attack Surface: Each external SaaS-based implementation, third party, and supplier in the supply chain introduces a potential entry point for cyberattacks. Identifying these connections helps assess and mitigate the expanded attack surface, reducing the risk of breaches that could compromise sensitive data and disrupt critical business operations.
Third-Party Risk Management: Third-party vendors and suppliers may have different security standards and practices. Understanding their cybersecurity posture is crucial to managing the risk they introduce to your organization's data and systems. This allows for setting security requirements, monitoring compliance, and addressing vulnerabilities.
Incident Response and Recovery: Knowing all external connections enables a swift and targeted response to a security incident. Organizations can quickly identify affected systems, isolate the breach, and implement recovery measures, minimizing the impact on business continuity and reputation.
Supply Chain Vulnerabilities: Cybersecurity threats can originate from direct third parties and deeper within the supply chain. Vulnerabilities in a fourth or fifth-party vendor can still impact the organization, potentially leading to data breaches or disruption of critical workflows.
Regulatory Compliance: Various industries have specific regulations regarding data protection and privacy (e.g., GDPR, CCPA). Identifying all external implementations and their associated entities ensures that the organization complies with these regulations, avoiding legal penalties and reputational damage.
How ThreatNG Helps Secure Organizations, Third Parties, and Supply Chain:
ThreatNG, as an all-in-one EASM, DRP, and security ratings solution, can enhance the security of Work OS implementations across the organization's ecosystem:
Discovery and Visibility: ThreatNG discovers and maps all externally identifiable SaaS-based Work OS implementations, including those used by third parties and suppliers. It provides comprehensive visibility into the attack surface, including shadow IT and unauthorized instances.
Risk Assessment and Prioritization: ThreatNG assesses the respective owner of each implementation's security posture, identifying vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and potential attack vectors. It analyzes configuration settings, user access controls, and data exposure risks. These risks are then prioritized based on their severity and potential impact.
Continuous Monitoring and Alerting: ThreatNG monitors all discovered implementations for configuration changes, new vulnerabilities, and emerging threats. Real-time alerts notify security teams of any identified risks, enabling immediate action.
Remediation and Mitigation: ThreatNG provides actionable remediation guidance, including specific configuration changes, patching instructions, and best practices. It also facilitates collaboration with third parties to ensure they implement necessary security measures.
Integration with Complementary Solutions: ThreatNG integrates with SIEM, GRC, SSPM, and vulnerability management solutions. This integration allows for comprehensive risk assessment, automated compliance checks, centralized security management, and streamlined vulnerability remediation.
Example Workflow:
ThreatNG Discovery: ThreatNG discovers an unsecured Monday.com instance used by a project management consulting firm within the organization's supply chain.
Risk Assessment: ThreatNG identifies that the organization that owns the Looker instance is susceptible to many vulnerabilities and risks.
Prioritized Alert: ThreatNG generates a high-priority alert, notifying the organization's security team and the consulting firm of the identified risks.
Remediation Collaboration: The organization collaborates with the consulting firm, guided by ThreatNG's recommendations, to strengthen access controls, implement robust encryption, and enforce MFA for the Monday.com instance.
Continuous Monitoring and Assurance: ThreatNG continues monitoring the Monday.com instance, ensuring that the implemented security measures remain in place and no new risks emerge. It assures the organization that the consulting firm is maintaining a secure environment.
Desired Business Outcomes:
Reduced Attack Surface: ThreatNG identifies and mitigates vulnerabilities in Work OS implementations, reducing the risk of data breaches and cyberattacks.
Improved Third-Party Risk Management: ThreatNG ensures third parties and suppliers adhere to security best practices and not introduce undue risks.
Enhanced Compliance: ThreatNG automates risk assessments and tracks remediation, ensuring compliance with data protection regulations.
Strengthened Security Posture: ThreatNG provides a holistic view of the organization's security posture, enabling effective risk management and incident response.
Protected Critical Data and Workflows: ThreatNG safeguards sensitive data and ensures secure Work OS operations, helping organizations maintain business continuity, protect intellectual property, and preserve customer trust.
