When it comes to cybersecurity, much of the focus tends to be on software and the threats it poses. However, hardware based security is often overlooked, despite its critical role in establishing a secure workspace. This is largely due to a general lack of knowledge about how hardware security functions and its significance in the overall security framework. It’s time to debunk some myths you might believe about hardware based security.
Every enterprise is a potential target for malicious actors, and attacks can happen for various reasons. The key takeaway is that you can strengthen your company’s defenses by focusing on hardware based security and gaining visibility into the Physical Layer.
Myth #1: Hardware-Based Attacks Don’t Exist!
Just because hardware-based attacks aren’t often in the headlines doesn’t mean they don’t exist. Typically, the cyberattacks that grab media attention involve large corporations falling victim to software-based attacks carried out by notorious cybercrime syndicates. These stories tend to be sensational and drive more clicks, which is why they dominate the news cycle.
Additionally, many businesses choose to withhold information pertaining to hardware-based attacks as it indicates insufficient physical security, which reflects negatively upon the business. Another reason you don’t hear about hardware-based attacks frequently is that many enterprises are unaware they’ve been targeted. When a breach occurs, the typical assumption is that it’s due to a software vulnerability or phishing scam. This misunderstanding, combined with limited resources to detect hardware-based attack tools, often results in the true attack method being overlooked.
However, that is not to say that hardware-based attacks don’t receive any media attention. A great example that receives public resonance concerns ATMs. These cash dispensing machines are becoming a go-to target for cybercriminals because of the instant payout. Instead of using brute force attacks on ATMs, cybercriminals can now just attach a hardware attack tool, known as a Black Box, to the internal computer to trick it into releasing cash through a MiTM attack. Since 2021, Black Box attacks have been on the rise and have amounted to losses of 1.5 million Euros in Europe alone.
Myth #2: We Have Security Measures in Place. All our Employees use VPNs – We Are Protected!
Yes, your security measures like NAC, IDS/IDP, firewalls and VPNs definitely provide some level of protection. However, malicious actors are continually evolving and finding new attack methods, which means exploiting blind spots, one of which is the hardware domain. Existing security solutions lack visibility into the Physical Layer (Layer 1), leaving them unfit to defend against, let alone identify, hardware-based attack tools. These malicious devices are designed to evade detection by operating on the Physical Layer and mimic human-like commands and executions, making them extremely dangerous as they can carry out a variety of harmful attacks without any obstacles in their way.
If you are unable to identify all your assets’ hardware details within 10 seconds, you are, in fact, not fully protected.
Myth #3: We Don’t Use USBs, So Why Should it Concern Us
That’s a line we’ve heard many times before, but here’s the truth: you do use USBs, and it absolutely should concern you!
Sure, your organization might not use flash drives and there might be some authorization capabilities in EPS/EDR solutions that block phones, keyboards and mice with certain VID/PIDs. That’s great, but what about the keyboards employees use to type? And the mice they use to navigate? Correct, those are USBs. They might be authorized, but that doesn’t mean they can’t get impersonated by a covert spoofing device. So long as there are HIDs in the work environment, there is the risk that one (or more) may be illegitimate. And without Physical Layer visibility, there’s no mechanism in place to determine what’s legitimate or not.
Myth #4: Why Would Anyone Want to Hack Us?
The reality is that cybercriminals target businesses of all sizes. The idea that hackers only target large corporations or government entities is outdated. Any business with data—regardless of its size or industry—is a potential target. From stealing sensitive information to executing ransomware attacks, hackers will exploit any opportunity. Without robust hardware based security solutions, your enterprise remains vulnerable to sophisticated attack methods that can infiltrate systems at the Physical Layer.
Why Hardware Based Security Is Crucial for Safeguarding Your Organization
In conclusion, hardware based security is essential for defending against attacks that bypass traditional software defenses. As cyber threats continue to evolve, ensuring visibility and protection at the Physical Layer is more important than ever. By integrating hardware security solutions, you can strengthen your defenses, minimize vulnerabilities, and reduce the risk of hardware-based attacks.
Take proactive steps to protect your business by gaining full visibility into your hardware assets. Learn more about the critical role of hardware based security and how it can enhance your overall cybersecurity posture.
Read the article in securityaffairs.com to learn more about these myths.
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