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By Rekha Shenoy, CEO of BackBox

In today's digital landscape (and tomorrow), cyber resilience will no longer be a choice but a necessity. As organizations increasingly rely on networked infrastructure, the ability to withstand and recover from cyberattacks has become critical to maintaining business continuity. Cyberattacks are evolving rapidly, with threat actors using advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) to exploit vulnerabilities in network devices faster than ever. This changing threat landscape has made traditional, manual methods of managing network security insufficient.

According to a Qualys report, in 2023, the time between the discovery of a vulnerability and its exploitation by attackers averaged just 44 days. In some cases, exploits were available on the same day the vulnerability was disclosed. The sheer speed at which cybercriminals can now act means that organizations must adapt and embrace automation to keep pace and stay secure.

At the core of cyber resilience is automated vulnerability management and remediation. Automation is essential for organizations looking to manage their network infrastructure efficiently, reduce the burden on IT teams, and quickly address emerging vulnerabilities. With network infrastructure spanning multiple vendors and device types, manual vulnerability management becomes increasingly complex and error-prone. Automated solutions enable faster identification of vulnerabilities, prioritization based on actual risk, and swift remediation to reduce exposure.

Automation begins with having a clear and dynamic understanding of your network's inventory. Knowing which devices are in use, their configurations, and whether they are up-to-date is foundational. By mapping this information to vulnerability feeds, organizations can quickly identify which vulnerabilities pose the greatest threat to their environment. Automation tools make this process faster and allow for continuous updates, ensuring the network remains secure at all times.

Once vulnerabilities are identified, they must be prioritized. Not all vulnerabilities are equally dangerous-some may have a critical impact on edge devices, while others pose minimal risk to internal systems. Automation helps security teams focus on the vulnerabilities that matter most, enabling efficient use of time and resources.

However, detection and prioritization are only part of the equation. Cyber resilience also requires effective remediation. This involves identifying vulnerabilities and taking action to resolve them-whether that means applying a security patch, updating firmware, or adjusting device configurations. Automated remediation ensures that fixes are deployed consistently across the network, minimizing the potential for human error. In cases where an update fails or introduces a new issue, automated systems can alert network engineers, allowing them to intervene quickly and restore the device to a secure state.

Looking forward, cyber resilience will play a defining role in the way organizations approach network security. As the volume and complexity of cyber threats continue to grow, manual processes will no longer be able to keep pace. Automation offers a proactive solution, allowing organizations to stay ahead of the curve, maintain compliance, and ensure that their network devices are always in a known and trusted state.

Beyond security, automation also provides operational efficiency. By automating repetitive tasks, IT teams can redirect their efforts toward more strategic initiatives that support growth and innovation. This shift is crucial in a world where agility and adaptability are key to staying competitive.

In the future, organizations that embrace cyber resilience will be better positioned to handle the rapidly changing threat landscape. By automating vulnerability management and remediation, businesses can significantly reduce the risk of breaches and minimize downtime. More importantly, they can recover quickly when disruptions occur, ensuring their operations remain stable and secure.

As cyber resilience becomes a central focus for organizations worldwide, it's clear that automation is the key to unlocking this future. By integrating resilient practices into their network management strategies, businesses can protect their infrastructure, reduce risks, and maintain the trust and confidence of their stakeholders. In this evolving landscape, the future truly belongs to those prioritizing cyber resilience.

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