Attack Surface Reduction #ASR
Cybersecurity is a constantly evolving field, with new threats emerging on a regular basis. Two important concepts in cybersecurity are Indicator of Attack (IOA) and Attack Surface Reduction (ASR). Understanding the difference between these two concepts can help organizations better protect their systems and networks from cyber threats.
ASR on Elastic
ASR on CrowdStrike
An Indicator of Attack (IOA) is a signal or pattern that indicates a potential attack on a system or network. These indicators can include suspicious network activity, unusual system behavior, or other signs that an attack may be imminent or underway. Examples of IOAs include network traffic from a known malicious IP address, the presence of malware on a system, or a sudden increase in failed login attempts. IOAs are used by security professionals to detect, investigate, and respond to potential or active security incidents.
Attack Surface Reduction (ASR) refers to a set of security features and controls that are designed to reduce the attack surface of a system or network. Attack surface reduction can include a variety of measures such as disabling unnecessary services or protocols, restricting access to network resources, and implementing security controls such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems. By reducing the attack surface, organizations can make it more difficult for attackers to successfully compromise their systems and networks.
One example of an ASR solution is Windows Defender Attack Surface Reduction. It's a security feature built into Windows 10 that helps to reduce the attack surface of a device by blocking certain types of malicious behavior. To use ASR, you must have Windows 10 version 1803 or later, and have Windows Defender enabled. With ASR enabled, Windows will automatically block certain types of malicious behavior, such as fileless malware, script-based attacks, and other types of exploitation.