Many organizations are adopting a more comprehensive “red zone” approach regarding risk mitigation. According to FortiGuard Labs, the red zone includes the vulnerabilities attackers target in an organization.
While security teams tend to focus on endpoint vulnerabilities, FortiGuard found that less than 1% of vulnerabilities in an organization were located on endpoints.
“To calculate the red zone, you take the number of active attack surfaces (where CVEs are observed and under attack) and divide them by the total number of CVEs on endpoints,” according to FortiGuard Labs’ Global Threat Landscape Report.
So, what benefits can security teams derive from focusing on vulnerabilities in the red zone? Here are a few to consider.
Risk-Based Security
Red zone threat intelligence can help security teams move toward a risk-based approach to security. A risk-based approach enables organizations to prioritize security investments that reduce risk. It also distills risk-reduction targets into pragmatic implementation programs with alignment from the C-suite to the front line.
Effective Patch Management
As part of that risk-based approach, security teams can gain insights into which vulnerabilities pose the greatest risk and should be patched first. Most software providers offer patches as soon as vulnerabilities are found. But if you don’t apply them, they’re useless. You must prioritize patch management of red zone vulnerabilities and regularly upgrade or replace software.
Protecting against red zone vulnerabilities starts with figuring out what needs to be secured. For this, you’ll need a mix of network- and endpoint-based detection and security. For visibility across all industries and areas, you should incorporate the latest security updates and threat intelligence for networks and endpoints.
Flexible Response
Enterprises of all sizes, regardless of sector or location, continue to face serious risk because the threat landscape and attack surfaces are constantly changing.
Incorporating red zone threat intelligence into your security strategy will help you stay on top of the latest threats and better protect your organization. This intelligence helps reveal the areas that cybercriminals are actively investigating for potential attacks and what they’re currently targeting.
Effectively navigating changes in attack surfaces and threat landscapes is now a critical differentiator that helps your organization stay on top.
MBL Technologies provides comprehensive cybersecurity services for long-term, sustainable solutions that address every facet of the evolving threat landscape, including shifting red zone vulnerabilities. We help you boost your cybersecurity posture while minimizing your upfront costs. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your organization.
