Industry executives and experts share their predictions for 2024. Read them in this 16th annual VMblog.com series exclusive.
How Organizations Can Master Third-Party Security in 2024
By Bret Settle,
Chief Product Officer, ThreatX
In the
relentless race toward technological advancement, organizations find themselves
increasingly dependent on third-party tools and technologies. These external
solutions have become integral, enhancing efficiency, functionality, and
innovation. However, this ironclad dependence underlies a precarious reality:
the alarming vulnerability of these tools to heightened cyber threats.
As we enter
2024, this challenge will reach a boiling point as the lack of security
visibility within these third-party tools makes them enticing targets for
cybercriminals. No longer can organizations afford to react to threats
passively; instead, it demands a radical shift in approach to identify
vulnerabilities and fortify their defenses proactively. Organizations must
adopt proactive strategies integrating unparalleled observability and blocking
techniques to elevate third-party security measures.
The Complexities
of Third-Party Attack Vectors
Organizations
must redefine their relationship with third-party vendors, as more than the
traditional approach of evaluating tools based solely on their functionalities.
The question leaders must be asking now is not just what a tool can do, but how
it safeguards itself and the systems it integrates with.
Vendors must be
assessed not only on their ability to monitor for suspicious behaviors that
might indicate potential vulnerabilities but also on what security measures are
embedded within their tools in the first place. This evolution in approach
signifies a broader shift in cybersecurity strategies - one that prioritizes
transparency, agility, and strategy over mere functionality.
The focus for
organizations has shifted to proactive measures, and among these, runtime
protection powered by eBPF stands out as a game-changing technology. This cutting-edge solution offers invaluable observability
into the intricate workings of third-party tools. It provides real-time
insights, enabling organizations to identify vulnerabilities before they are
exploited. What sets eBPF apart is its capability to block attacks at an
unprecedented level. By integrating observability with proactive blocking techniques,
eBPF equips organizations with the power to thwart attacks before they
infiltrate the system, thus significantly reducing the risk landscape.
Conclusion
In this
landscape, security is not an add-on but a fundamental aspect of any tool or
technology. Organizations must embrace an "always-on" mentality for security
today, or risk falling behind competitors.
As the growth of
cyber threats in the coming years shows zero indication it will slow, the need
for elevated third-party security has never been more pressing. Proactive
measures, such as runtime capabilities and demanding more security transparency
from vendors will empower organizations to stay one step ahead.
Security teams
in 2024 will invest in creating new strategic alliances with technology
partners committed to security, to ensure the integrity of their digital
ecosystems. In doing so, those who take decisive actions today should emerge
stronger, more resilient, and better prepared for tomorrow's cybersecurity
challenges.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bret
has served in multiple executive roles for Corporate Express/Staples and BMC
Software. He has extensive knowledge of the software development and security
products industries. Bret has been responsible for enterprise security in
multiple roles and has been an innovator throughout his career. His proven
track record of building and developing high performing organizations and
dynamic cyber security teams helps ThreatX deliver AppSec services that meet
enterprise needs.