CTEM

In their Predicts 2023 report, Gartner underscores the significance of organizations transitioning from reactive threat responses to actively overseeing their exposure to threats. In recognition of the continually growing threat environment, Gartner has introduced the Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) process. CTEM focuses on the ongoing monitoring, assessment, and reduction of security risks by implementing strategic enhancement plans and actionable measures for security posture remediation. In this piece we will try to articulate what differentiates CTEM and its importance in the upcoming years.?

What is CTEM??

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CTEM is a proactive and continuous approach that helps organizations to monitor, evaluate and reduce their exploitability and validate their security posture. This process leverages current common processes such as vulnerability management, threat hunting and red teaming, along with cutting edge technologies such as BAS (Breach and attack simulation) and CASM (Continuous attack surface management) to continually assess the organization’s defenses with the goal of proactively identifying and prioritizing readily exploitable vulnerabilities and blind spots to stay ahead of the continuously evolving threat landscape.????

The CTEM lifecycle?

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The CTEM lifecycle includes five stages scoping, discovery, prioritization, validation, and mobilization.?

Scoping?

In the initial phase of CTEM, scoping is undertaken from the perspective of key business processes, which leads to the collaborative identification of the specific segments of the infrastructure to be incorporated into the program. A comprehensive examination of the organization's priorities and associated IT assets is carried out, encompassing both internal and external attack surfaces, including cloud infrastructures. As an integral part of this process, organizations are required to assess the critical aspects of their business supported by technology and subsequently delineate the boundaries of the CTEM program based upon business priorities.?

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Discovery?

In the discovery step, in-depth analysis of the infrastructure is conducted to unveil vulnerabilities and evaluate the risk associated with the various asset classes. The assessment process includes a comprehensive understanding of potential threats across the entire organizational infrastructure matched with the identification of specific vulnerabilities.?

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Prioritization?

In the prioritization step, vulnerabilities are prioritized based not only on the likelihood of occurrence and severity, but on the impact the issue can cause on the organization’s business processes.??

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Validation?

In the validation step, the issues with the highest priority are further analyzed and measures are undertaken to proactively prepare to respond to an attack leveraging such vulnerabilities. This is where technologies such as BAS can be utilized to validate the implemented security controls are providing the intended protections. The key outcome of this phase is to provide evidence that supports the prioritization decisions and to demonstrate the need for the implementation of the remediation plans in business terms.?

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Mobilization?

In this step it is key that security leadership makes sure to rally all stakeholders and ensure that remediation decisions are taken based on key business considerations aligned with technological requirements.?

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What are the key differences between CTEM and the traditional vulnerability management approach??

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Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) sets itself apart from traditional vulnerability management programs in six distinctive ways.?

Proactive Approach?

First, it is all about being proactive. Instead of reacting to known vulnerabilities, CTEM takes the initiative by constantly keeping an eye on the threat landscape, prioritizing fixes for potential threats before hackers even get a chance to strike.??

Organizational Perspective?

Second, CTEM has a broader perspective. It does not just focus on technical vulnerabilities but looks at the bigger picture including business processes and resources. CTEM considers items such as things configuration errors, misused credentials, insider threats, etc.?

Business Goal Alignment?

Third, alignment with business goals. Traditional approaches often struggle to prioritize fixes effectively, but CTEM zeroes in on the critical threats that could impact an organization's most important assets.??

Continuous Lifecyle?

Fourth, CTEM can be thought of as a continuous improvement cycle. It is not a one-and-done deal. It is about constantly monitoring, evaluating, and beefing up the organization’s security game over time.??

Comprehensive integration?

Fifth, CTEM plays well with others. The CTEM approach is not indented to replace vulnerability management or other traditional cyber security capabilities. It is in fact looking to integrate seamlessly with existing security controls and processes such as threat hunting, vulnerability management, and patch management for a more comprehensive and consistent approach.??

Security Validation?

And last, validation. CTEM goes beyond mere vulnerability assessments; CTEM looks for actual validation of the current defenses to support the action plans and demonstrate the need to act.??

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How Can MAKINSIGHTS Help?

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At MAKINSIGHTS we have the experience and understanding to help you on your journey to obtain the benefits of CTEM. Our seasoned team of security experts will guide your organization in this shift and help build your CTEM capabilities internally or provide CTEM as a managed service. Our Immediate Threat Analysis and Response (ITAS) can help your organization to give the first steps in to the CTEM approach. Please feel welcome to book a consultation with us via [email protected] or through Calendly here.?