The number of organizations that are using managed security service providers (MSSP) has increased. Importantly, due to the evolving nature of internal and external threats. Cybersecurity is not only becoming progressively important, but increasingly complex. Governments, and organizations, are implementing regulations regarding cybersecurity, and security teams are often unable to meet every security requirement of the organization and the government. This, and other staffing challenges, had caused the number of companies using MSSPs to increase. Additionally, MSSPs can cater to specific needs of an organization.
Many companies are concerned with improving the security of customer-facing applications of which MSSPs can provide services for. As such, the benefits of using managed security service providers are in abundance, including incident resolution. According to Gartner, through 2021, organizations with MSSP operations that are aligned with internal security operations will have a 50% superior incident resolution than organizations that are not. Moreover, a study on organizational security strategies found that organizations utilizing managed security service providers made more accurate decisions. They were more equipped to comply with regulations and requirements. Especially those who require an intimate visibility to all enterprises IT/OT/IoT assets. Ultimately, customer experience had improved, and relationships were enhanced.
Rogue Device Risks in Cybersecurity
Sepio first establishes physical layer visibility, forming the foundation for all security features. This includes peripherals connected to endpoints, network elements, or wireless access points (BYOD). With visibility into assets, Sepio addresses Rogue Devices, which are malicious and often used for attacks like data breaches or malware installation. Once physically installed, Rogue Devices give attackers remote access, even after removal. Spoofed peripherals appear as genuine HIDs, evading detection by security software, while network implants remain invisible as they operate on the undetected Physical Layer with no IP or MAC address. These devices create out-of-band connections, bypassing air-gapped networks to launch attacks. No organization is immune, and the threat is heightened by the lack of detection tools for this type of attack.
Hardware-based attacks are becoming more frequent. Yet awareness surrounding them is not correlating with the rise in occurrence. As such, organizations do not only lack the protection against them, but are often even unaware that they need it. Adding to the threat of Rogue Device attacks is that they can originate from a myriad of sources including the supply chain; insiders; social engineering tactics; and BYOD and IoT devices.
This increases the number of entry points for attackers, giving security teams an overwhelming surface area to cover.
Top Security Threats Managed by MSSPs
Advanced Persistent Threat (APTs)
APT attacks, as its name suggests, is a very advanced attack method that utilizes lesser-known and zero-day vulnerabilities. Due to the advanced nature of the attack, and that it typically continues for prolonged periods of time. It is the perfect method to carry out espionage. Although organizations can be the target for espionage, government agencies often fall victim to this type of attack, with state-sponsored hackers being the perpetrators. The nature of government agencies’ information means that an attack of this type is extremely jeopardizing.
Data Breach
A data breach involves accessing, stealing, or leaking confidential data about clients, employees, or the organization, such as intellectual property. The motives can be financial, with banks targeted for credit card information used in fraud. Healthcare facilities are also prime targets due to the value of Personal Health Information on the black market. Another motive is sabotage, where intellectual property is stolen to give the perpetrator a competitive edge.
Malware
Malware comes in various forms including viruses, worms, and trojans. The installation of malware can impact the organization’s systems. Additionally, malware can cause a data breach by providing bad actors with access to company information. Worms are an especially disruptive form of malware since they have the ability to replicate themselves and spread through the entire network, meaning the attack can reach far beyond the initial target endpoint.
Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS)
DDoS attacks occur when a large number of systems are compromised as used as a source of traffic on a synchronised attack. As a result, legitimate users are unable to access information systems, devices, or other network resources.
Man-in-The-Middle (MiTM)
MiTM attacks are whereby the messages sent between the victim and the entity are intercepted, in this case by a Rogue Device, allowing the perpetrator to alter these messages without either party knowing. Attackers might carry out a MiTM attack to steal login credentials or personal information; spy on the victim; sabotage communications; or corrupt data.
Working From Home
WFH policies, although bringing both the employer and employee benefits, can also present cyber risks. Using unknown peripherals – such as a mouse or keyboard – when connected to the network is hazardous as these peripherals might have been compromised and, having network access, can move laterally through the organization.
As such, an unknown peripheral that has been manipulated has the potential to carry out any of the aforementioned attacks.
WFH presents increased risks since an employee is likely to be working on a personal device with fewer security features than a company-owned device.
Furthermore, WFH means that the perpetrator does not need to gain physical access to the target organization, making the attack less challenging to carry out. Moreover, WFH means that there are fewer individuals in the office and, hence, fewer prying eyes – should an attacker gain access to the organization’s premises, the likelihood of being caught is lower.
Sepio’s Network and Endpoint CyberSecurity Solution
Many times, enterprises’ IT and security teams struggle in providing complete and accurate protection of their hardware assets. Especially in today’s extremely challenging IT/OT/IoT environment. This is because, often, there is a lack of device visibility which leads to weakened policy enforcement of hardware access. This vulnerability may result in security incidents such as ransomware attacks, data leakage, etc. To address this challenge, full visibility into hardware assets is essential, regardless of device type or connection interface. Malicious actors exploit “blind spots” in cybersecurity defenses using USB HID-emulating devices or network implants. These covert Rogue Devices evade detection by existing security solutions, leaving organizations highly vulnerable.
Sepio’s platform provide a panacea to the gap in device visibility. As the leader in Rogue Device Mitigation, Sepio’s solution identifies, detects and handles all peripherals; no device goes unmanaged.
Sepio uses Physical Layer fingerprinting and Machine Learning to create digital fingerprints from device electrical characteristics, comparing them to known fingerprints. This provides full device visibility and detects vulnerabilities in the infrastructure. A policy enforcement mechanism recommends best practices and allows administrators to set strict or granular rules. When a device breaches the policy, Sepio automatically triggers a mitigation process to block unapproved or rogue hardware.
See every known and shadow asset. Prioritize and mitigate risks.
Our experts will help you understand how to use Sepio’s patented technology to gain control of your asset risks.
