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The identity theft landscape is not grayscale. In sectors as diverse as healthcare and the automotive industry, hackers took an eclectic approach to choosing targets. Using cutting-edge generative artificial intelligence, entities like Scattered Spider are pioneering novel approaches, equivalent to sourcing legitimate credentials from access brokers, to compromise systems at unprecedented speeds. This sophisticated maneuvering challenges traditional methods used by IT administrators and disguises threat actors as legitimate users.
In 2022, the Federal Trade Commission made an astonishing discovery 1.1 million reports identity theft, which is a stark reminder of the need for organizations to re-evaluate their identity and access management (IAM) strategies. Organizations must consider future-proof security measures to protect sensitive data and outmaneuver adversaries to stay ahead of the competition.
#BeIdentitySmart to protect your identity online
Last month, the Identity Defined Security Alliance (IDSA) held its fourth annual Identity Management Day campaign using the hashtag #BeIdentitySmart. IDSA encouraged corporations to do so 84% of organizations have experienced an identity breach over the last yr, so caring for your identity is a priority.
The basic principle of identity sensing is determining who should have access to what. According to 2023 Verizon Data Breach Investigation Report74% of all breaches involve human aspects equivalent to errors, privilege abuse, credential theft, or social engineering. Therefore, it is becoming increasingly necessary to avoid granting general super admin permissions and as an alternative assign permissions based on specific roles. A unified endpoint management (UEM) strategy provides centralized oversight of user access and device security. His role-based access control (RBAC) ensures that only authorized users have access to specific data and applications. At the same time, device management tools equivalent to app block lists and web filtering prevent employees from accessing malicious web sites, thereby reducing the risk of credential theft.
Despite ongoing concerns about cyberattacks, corporations face increasing regulatory pressures to protect customer data. Orders like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) require corporations to use robust security measures to protect personal information. Additionally, countries equivalent to the United States are moving toward changing laws, exemplified by a bipartisan approach US Privacy Rights Act (APRA) Bill. To comply with these regulations, organizations are slowly adopting a converged identity approach, also referred to as an identity structure approach. By implementing an identity framework, corporations can streamline authentication and authorization processes for all sorts of users (including general users, privileged accounts, and third parties) across their infrastructure, helping with regulatory compliance efforts.
In cybersecurity, investing in the right tools is essential, but it’s equally necessary to master how they work to ensure quick response. According to CrowdStrike, the timeframe in which hackers can breach a system and move inside an environment has decreased significantly over the years. With escape times currently just two minutes and seven seconds, there is little room for delay, underscoring the urgent need to counter threats.
User education
In today’s digital landscape, a solid security strategy relies on one key element: empowered user permissions. The power of identity is not only about technology; this requires a significant cultural change in organizations.
Security awareness training has traditionally been a one-time event and a hurdle that should be overcome when onboarding recent employees. However, to be truly “identity smart,” organizations must make security education an integral a part of their DNA. By seamlessly weaving cybersecurity training into the onboarding process and beyond, employees gain the knowledge they need to recognize and respond to potential threats effectively.
However, creating an atmosphere of mindfulness goes beyond simply instructing employees. It requires open channels of communication where employees can feel comfortable reporting suspicious activity without fear of reprisal. This fosters a collaborative safety culture where everyone takes ownership. Security is now not solely the responsibility of the IT department; it becomes a collaborative effort.
Future-proof identity management
Recently, Zoho’s ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus was exposed to unprecedented tactics by a Chinese hacker group referred to as Volt Typhoon, which was known to embed malware to launch future cyberattacks. While the exact approach to compromising ManageEngine stays unclear, indications are that a critical authentication bypass vulnerability exists. This highlights the need to move from traditional security models equivalent to the castle and moat approach to zero trust architecture (ZTA). ZTA does not assume trust for any user or device. Instead, each access attempt is continually evaluated based on various aspects, including context, user behavior and device status, before access is granted.