Security Strategies
How Does Attack Surface Management Work?
Robin Hill
September 20, 2024
Summary
This blog covers how attack surface management works and why its becoming more popular amongst organisations now. Have a read of this blog to find out more about the benefits of ASM.

What is Attack Surface Management?

Attack Surface Management (ASM) is a security best practice and process designed to reduce the attack surface of an organisation’s IT environment. It works by monitoring, controlling, and reacting to changes in the environment that could potentially be exploited by attackers. This includes everything from applications, databases, networks, servers, users, and more.

Benefits of Attack Surface Management  

Attack Surface Management offers a variety of benefits to organisations looking to protect their IT environment. It helps organisations identify and manage changes in their attack surface, which can help detect potential threats and vulnerabilities before they are exploited by malicious actors. Additionally, it helps organisations reduce the complexity of their IT environments, as well as improve visibility into existing security practices and procedures.

How Does it Work?

ASM works by identifying and analysing the attack surface of an organisation’s IT environment. This includes both internal and external sources, such as cloud-based applications, web servers, user accounts, databases, networks, and more. ASM solutions can detect potential threats or vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious actors.


Once potential threats are identified, ASM can help organisations take proactive measures to protect and reduce their attack surface. This includes removing unused services or applications, hardening security settings, and patching vulnerable systems. ASM also provides visibility into the changes that have been made, so organisations can ensure that new threats are addressed quickly.


In addition to reducing an organisation’s attack surface, ASM also helps improve its overall security posture. By tracking and managing changes to an organisation’s IT environment, ASM can help organisations identify potential weak points and create more secure configurations. Additionally, it can help identify areas of improvement in existing security practices and procedures.

Why Organisations are Turning to Attack Surface Management?

Organisations are turning to Attack Surface Management for a variety of reasons. It provides visibility into the attack surface of an organisation’s IT environment, which can help detect and prevent potential threats.

Additionally, it helps organisations identify potential weak points in their security practices and procedures and take proactive steps to reduce their overall attack surface. Finally, ASM is also cost-effective, as it can help organisations reduce the amount of time and resources needed to maintain their security posture. By using Attack Surface Management, organisations can be better prepared to protect themselves from malicious actors and reduce their attack surface. This makes it an invaluable tool for boosting the security of any organisation.

Find out more at DarkInvader on how you can protect your domain.


Robin Hill

Robin Hill, a co-founder of DarkInvader, brings over 20 years of success in corporate sales, primarily within the enterprise sector. He previously co-founded RandomStorm, a cybersecurity company that was successfully acquired by Accumuli PLC in 2014. Throughout his career, Robin has demonstrated a strong sales focus, driving growth and building lasting client relationships. His deep expertise in sales and his experience leading innovative security firms have positioned him as a key figure in both the business and cybersecurity landscapes.

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