September 25, 2024
One of the first steps to protecting your business from cyber threats is understanding your attack surface. Simply put, the attack surface is the sum of all the points where an unauthorized user could try to enter or extract data from your systems. As your business grows and adopts new technologies – such as migrating to the cloud – this surface expands, making it crucial to know exactly where your vulnerabilities lie.
Managing vulnerabilities is essential for keeping your organization safe. Vulnerability management is the ongoing process of finding, assessing, and fixing security gaps that could be exploited by attackers. By actively managing these vulnerabilities, businesses can reduce their attack surface and lower the risk of a breach. Taking a risk-based approach to vulnerability management is important. According to IBM’s 2023 Cost of a Data Breach Report, organizations that deploy risk-based analysis for vulnerability management had breach costs 18.3% lower than organizations that relied on the industry-standard Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) glossary alone. This proactive approach helps avoid costly incidents and keeps critical systems and data protected.
Patches are updates that fix security flaws, and staying on top of these updates is crucial. Organizations should utilize a structured process for applying patches regularly; delaying updates can leave your business exposed to attacks. Best practices include:
If patches aren’t available, it’s important to find other ways to minimize risk, such as implementing temporary fixes or workarounds until a permanent solution is found.
Cyber threats evolve rapidly, which is why it’s important to have continuous monitoring tools in place. These tools help track your systems in real-time, ensuring you’re always aware of the latest risks and can act quickly to resolve them before they become serious issues. Key advantages include:
Effective vulnerability management is not just about addressing individual threats—it’s about improving your overall security posture. When you consistently find and fix weaknesses, you build a more resilient defense against cyberattacks. This reduces the chance of a breach, protects valuable assets, and ensures your business can operate smoothly, even in the face of evolving threats.
By understanding your attack surface, prioritizing vulnerabilities, and leveraging patch management and monitoring tools, you can stay one step ahead of attackers and strengthen your organization’s security. Want to learn more? Schedule a meeting with our cybersecurity experts today and see what steps you can take to fortify your security posture.
Dewpoint, an award-winning, Michigan-based technology firm, has been helping businesses prepare for, stay ahead of, and respond to IT challenges for over 27 years. From IT security to infrastructure management to automation, cloud migration, and beyond, Dewpoint has long been a trusted technology resource for businesses.