Continuous Threat Exposure Management Mitigates Human Risk

Continuous Threat Exposure Management, or CTEM, is a proactive cybersecurity framework designed to continuously monitor, assess, and mitigate risks across an organization's attack surface. It emphasizes an iterative approach to improving security posture by integrating structured processes and leveraging advanced security tools.

CTEM focuses and reduces remediation efforts by prioritizing efforts across all exposure types, not just CVEs, based upon the impact of real risk to critical assets. And it provides a holistic process for managing that risk over time.

CTEM is not a single tool, but a comprehensive program aimed at:

• Continuously identifying and addressing vulnerabilities.
• Reducing risk exposure through validation technologies.
• Aligning security strategies with business goals to ensure executive engagement.

CTEM has five stages:

• Scoping: Defining the organization's critical assets and business objectives on which to focus.
• Discovery: Identifying vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and risks across systems, networks, and applications.
• Prioritization: Ranking vulnerabilities based on exploitability, business impact, and urgency.
• Validation: Using simulations and testing to confirm the exploitability of vulnerabilities and the effectiveness of defenses.
• Mobilization: Implementing remediation actions and refine processes for future cycles.

How humans fit into CTEM through the scoping and discovery phases

Human risk is a key component to understanding overall risk. The fact that 8% of users account for 80% of breaches demonstrates why organizations need to concentrate their efforts on preventing and mitigating human risk. Defining and refining the scope of CTEM demands that security teams understand business priorities and identify the potential impact of threats. Unlike traditional vulnerability management projects, CTEM programs adopt an attacker’s point of view – looking far beyond common vulnerabilities and exposures like CVEs.

The Discovery process is the link between Scoping (Stage I) and Prioritization (Stage III). Discovery in the CTEM framework goes beyond mere identification of assets and vulnerabilities. It encompasses a broader spectrum, including the detection of misconfigurations in assets and security controls, as well as exposures to identity and access threats such as exposed credentials and elevated permissions.

Prioritization and how a human risk aids in the process

A cybersecurity human risk score is a metric used to evaluate the level of risk an individual poses to an organization's cybersecurity. It is typically based on a combination of factors that assess an individual's behavior, knowledge, and susceptibility to cyber threats. This human risk score highlights the exposure of organizations to risk-based activities. To prioritize vulnerabilities, organizations need to consider severity, impact, asset value, and threat intelligence. The threats most likely to result in a breach should be prioritized. Attention should also be given to the riskiest users first.

How human risk impacts the validation and mobilization phases

Mimecast’s Human Risk Command Center is key to understanding the effectiveness of policy changes and the human impact. Validation is a crucial process aimed at confirming the effectiveness of security measures and ensuring the reliability of systems, networks, or applications. It involves thorough testing and assessment to verify security controls, configurations, and protocols are functioning as intended and providing the necessary level of protection.

Effective validation verifies the accuracy and relevance of threat intelligence data and the efficacy of incident response plans. It’s also a key element of proactive risk management – allowing organizations to stay ahead of evolving cyber threats and adapt their security measures accordingly.

Mimecast’s Integrated Human Risk Management Platform adapts policies based on human risk score changes. Our HRM platform can be tuned to provide better protection natively. Mobilization in cybersecurity also refers to implementing proactive measures to strengthen defenses, such as conducting security assessments, implementing security controls, and continuously monitoring systems for potential threats. This proactive approach helps to reduce the likelihood of cyber attacks and improves overall resilience to threats and incidents.

Overall, mobilization in cybersecurity is a critical component of a robust cybersecurity strategy, as it enables organizations to effectively detect, respond to, and recover from cyber threats and incidents in a timely and coordinated manner. By being prepared and mobilizing resources proactively, organizations can better protect their assets, data, and reputation from cyber threats.

Benefits of CTEM

Organizations who implement CTEM programs benefit from:

• Reduced risk exposure through continuous monitoring which helps identify and address threats before they escalate.
• Improved prioritization which focuses resources on the most critical vulnerabilities.
• A proactive security posture that encourages ongoing assessment and adaptation to emerging threats.
• Cost savings by preventing costly breaches and reducing the fallout from potential attacks.

Why CTEM matters

As organizations face increasingly complex and evolving cyber threats, CTEM provides a structured, proactive approach to managing these risks. It ensures that security measures are not only reactive but also anticipatory, aligning with business priorities and reducing the likelihood of breaches.

The bottom line

The Mimecast HRM Platform, Human Risk Command Center, and the integration of both with the latest in security programs like CTEM will revolutionize how organizations manage human risk.

Mimecast is leading the way. Our mission to advance security and transform the way organizations manage and mitigate risk is bolstered by our very own HRM platform and human risk dashboard. By integrating security into the very fabric of human interaction, organizations can set a new standard for protection in an increasingly complex digital world.

For more information on how you can benefit from Mimecast’s human risk management solutions, visit our integrated human risk management platform website page.