Breach and attack simulation

Test, validate and fortify each layer within your defence-in-depth strategy with BAS.

With its multi-layered security strategy, the defence-in-depth approach is a pillar in cybersecurity. But as cyberattacks continue infiltrating these layered defences, this strategy is proving insufficient for protection. The core fallacy of this approach is the assumption that the defensive mechanisms will function consistently and effectively.

To address this challenge, forward-thinking organizations are using Breach and Attack Simulation (BAS) to test, validate, and improve the effectiveness of their security controls. Beyond theoretical security, BAS provides organizations with real-world attack scenarios that accurately simulate known and emerging adversarial tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs).

By conducting continuous and automated simulations via BAS, organizations can proactively identify and address gaps in their security infrastructure before attackers can exploit them. Unlike traditional security assessments, BAS provides actionable, in-depth insights for an enhanced security posture, empowering security teams to fine-tune. their security controls.

Ultimately, BAS plays a critical role in validating and strengthening each layer of a multi-layered defence architecture, enabling organizations to protect their assets and enhance their overall cybersecurity posture proactively.

The gap between controlled test performance and real-world application stems from the complexity of security controls and a chronic lack of skilled personnel. This combination often results in misconfigured and non-optimized security controls. Put simply, organizations need a clearer understanding of the effectiveness of their security controls. But traditional evaluation methods, such as penetration tests and red teaming exercises, are limited by their sporadic nature and an over-reliance on expertise. Oftentimes, these methods provide an incomplete or overly optimistic picture of an organization’s layered defence capabilities.

In response to this limitation, organizations are turning to Breach and Attack Simulation (BAS) as a continuous, automated, and replicable validation approach for security controls and operational readiness. Unlike periodic assessments, BAS constantly challenges defences by conducting advanced simulations that safely mimic real-world threats and pinpointing gaps across network, host, application, and data layers. By integrating BAS into
the defence-in-depth strategy, organizations can better understand their resilience against cyberattacks.

The defence-in-depth strategy includes various models with different layering structures.

Based on our analysis, we created a model centred around four fundamental layers most commonly used in multi-layered defence strategies: Network, Host, Application, and Data.

Network Layer

The Network Layer secures the organization’s network by examining external and internal traffic. This layer ensures the security of various network activities, such as data transfers, remote access, and internet browsing. For example, an IPS or NGFW solution analyzes incoming traffic, blocks malicious content, and permits legitimate traffic to pass through to the internal network, depending on the nature of the incoming requests. Other security solutions at the network layer include Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), Network Access Controls (NAC), Virtual Private Networks (VPN), and Secure Web Gateways (SWG).

Host Layer

The Host Layer protects individual devices, including servers, workstations, laptops, and other endpoints. This layer is essential for identifying and responding to suspicious or malicious activities on these devices, often targets for cyber adversaries. Solutions such as Host-based IPS (HIPS), Host-based IDS (HIDS), Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), Endpoint Protection Platforms (EPPs), anti-virus (AV), and anti-malware tools defend and maintain system integrity. For example, a HIPS can actively prevent vulnerability exploitation attacks by monitoring system activities and blocking exploitation attempts.

Application Layer

The Application Layer secures applications, including web interfaces and email systems, common targets for cyberattacks. A key defence tool in this layer is Web Application Firewall (WAF), which effectively screens and neutralizes threats such as SQL injection and Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks by inspecting and filtering malicious data requests and inputs.

Data Layer

The Data Layer protects sensitive information, including financial records, intellectual property, and customer data, prime cyberattack targets. Data Loss Prevention (DLP) systems identify, monitor, and protect data at rest, in use, or in transit, using deep content inspection and contextual analysis to prevent unauthorized transfers beyond the organization’s boundaries.

BAS technologies allow enterprises to evaluate the efficacy of their security controls and discover attack paths leading to their most critical assets, allowing them to prioritize remediation.

By integrating BAS technology at each defence layer, organizations can proactively assess and enhance their security controls, exposing potential gaps before adversaries can exploit them. As we discuss each layer, we’ll equip you with the knowledge necessary to implement BAS effectively and precisely. Ultimately, we aim to enable organizations to achieve and maintain resilience across all layers of their security infrastructure for a stronger security posture.

Integrating BAS in Network Layer

The network layer is a fundamental line of defence in a defence-in-depth cybersecurity architecture. It encompasses all security measures that block malicious external or internal traffic between devices and applications, such as NGFW, IPS & IDS, and VPN.

Integrating BAS in Host Layer

The host layer includes security measures implemented on individual devices, including servers, workstations, desktops, laptops, and other endpoints. To evaluate security solutions at this layer, BAS solutions typically deploy an agent to a representative endpoint protected by the same security controls as other endpoints. Following agent deployment, BAS can simulate the following types of cyberattacks to test the effectiveness of host layer solutions.

Integrating BAS in Application Layer

In a multi-layered defence strategy, the application layer is the tier where users interact with system software and applications. It uses specific measures to protect the applications businesses rely on, including web services, databases, and proprietary or third-party applications.

WAF and Email Security Gateways (ESG) solutions are critical for securing the application layer. While a WAF monitors, filters, and blocks potentially malicious traffic to and from a web application, ESG scans incoming and outgoing email traffic to identify and block malicious content before it reaches users’ inboxes or leaves the organization’s email system.

Integrating BAS in Data Layer

At the data layer, protection mechanisms include encryption, access controls, data masking, and DLP solutions. Since the data layer protects sensitive information, DLP systems are designed to detect and prevent unauthorized access and transfers of this data, both within an organization’s network and beyond its perimeter.

Integrating BAS with Cross Layer Solutions

Cross-layer cybersecurity solutions like SIEM and XDR provide a holistic approach to security management by correlating data and automating responses across network, host, application, and data layers. By emulating multi-stage attacks and evaluating the overall security posture, BAS can effectively test and enhance integrated security systems.

Conclusion:

Forward-thinking organizations are embracing Breach and Attack Simulation (BAS) as an innovative and dynamic solution that not only addresses shortcomings of the defence-in-depth approach but revolutionizes the strategy altogether. Going beyond traditional methods, BAS provides a comprehensive evaluation of an organization’s defensive capabilities – from the network to the data layer. By simulating realistic attack scenarios, BAS tools provide organizations with a definitive understanding of how their defence-in-depth strategies would perform against actual cyberthreats. This approach strengthens each defence layer and ensures practical effectiveness against evolving cyberthreats. BAS isn’t just about fortifying individual layers; it’s about ensuring that the sum is greater than its parts.

Elevate your cybersecurity framework by integrating Breach and Attack Simulation and experience the assurance of a validated, resilient, multi-layered defence strategy for today and tomorrow’s threats.

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