Businesses have to deal with growing cybersecurity threats in the fast-paced digital era. From data breaches to ransomware attacks, the risks are diverse and ever-present. Businesses must adopt Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) practices to reduce the risks.
CTEM is a cybersecurity strategy that can emphasize continuous identification, evaluation, and remediation of potential threats. CTEM provides a continuous process to identify vulnerabilities and respond to emerging threats, unlike traditional cybersecurity methods that rely on periodic monitoring and reactive measures.
The IBM Data Breach Report found that 83% of companies experienced data theft more than once during 2022. Similarly, the 2022 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report revealed that total ransomware attacks increased by 13%. This figure represents a rise that matches the number of attacks over the past five years.
Given this growing risk, Gartner emphasizes the importance of investing in CTEM. The IT research and consulting firm even explains companies that prioritize security investments based on CTEM programs are three times less likely to experience data breach by 2026.
The risk of ransomware attacks and data breach can happen to anyone with any business scale. One of Apple’s MacBook production partner manufacturers, Quanta, admitted that their servers had been breached in 2021.
The perpetrator of their data breach was a hacker group called REvil. They revealed the theft on the Happy Blog site. They stated that Quanta was a victim and had to pay a ransom of US$ 50 million to get back the stolen data.
Impact of Cyber Attacks on Businesses
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Increased Vulnerability
Without an ongoing threat management strategy, businesses are more vulnerable to evolving cyber threats. Periodic assessments may leave vulnerabilities unaddressed, providing opportunities for malicious actors to exploit weaknesses.
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Data Breaches and Losses
The absence of real-time monitoring and rapid response mechanisms increases the likelihood of a successful cyberattack, causing data breaches and potential financial losses. Reputational damage arising from such incidents can have long-term consequences.
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Failing to Comply with Regulations
Many industries are subject to strict data protection regulations. Failure to implement continuous threat management can result in regulatory non-compliance, and expose companies to legal consequences and financial penalties.
Benefits of CTEM Implementation
In its implementation, CTEM can help companies to proactively minimize cyber threats. This approach allows businesses to identify, and mitigate potential threats before they can be exploited and reduce the risk of security incidents.
CTEM implementation can also contribute to a company’s cybersecurity. Regular evaluation and adaptive security measures ensure that the company remains resilient to known and emerging threats.
By prioritizing and addressing the most critical vulnerabilities first, businesses can allocate resources more efficiently, focusing on the areas that pose the most risk to the business.
Additionally, implementing CTEM can also help businesses stay compliant with data protection regulations, avoiding legal consequences and financial penalties associated with non-compliance.
Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) is not just a security measure. It is a strategic imperative in today’s digital landscape. By adopting CTEM, businesses can actively protect their assets, customer trust, and reputation.
When it comes to strengthening businesses against evolving cybersecurity challenges, working with a reliable and expert partner is paramount. Defender Nusa Semesta (Defenxor), a subsidiary of our subholding, CTI Group, is an ideal choice for businesses looking to strengthen their security infrastructure.
Defenxor provides comprehensive and proactive solutions to protect your business. From sophisticated detection, response, and protection to ensuring compliance with the highest security standards. Enhance your business security with Defenxor, a trusted partner in the relentless pursuit of protecting data and ensuring its resilience.