A Framework for Improved Security: Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM)

 Acronyms are commonplace in the rapidly developing subject of cybersecurity, and new ones are constantly being created. Continuous Threat Exposure Management, or CTEM, is one of the acronyms that are now popular. Companies implementing CTEM programmes may run into unexpected difficulties that impede their development and cause setbacks. This article seeks to clarify CTEM, its objectives, and the challenges that businesses must overcome to successfully apply it.

            

It's critical to comprehend what Continuous Threat Exposure Management comprises before diving into the difficulties. CTEM is not a technology or a specific product that suppliers sell. Instead, it's a constant 5-stage programme or framework made to assist organisations in tracking, assessing, and lowering their level of exploitability. Its goal is to deliver a standardised and practical security posture correction and improvement plan that corporate executives can comprehend and architectural teams can implement. Prior to being exploited by attackers, potential vulnerabilities are found and fixed using CTEM.

The objectives of CTEM are in line with the requirement for more efficient security measures in the continually changing threat landscape of today. The reports and remediation lists produced by conventional security measures, such as technology-focused attack surface assessments and vulnerability management programmes, are frequently ignored. These methods have trouble keeping up with organisations' growing attack surfaces. CTEM attempts to overcome these difficulties by offering a thorough and dynamic security posture correction strategy.

Organisations must be aware of the difficulties they can face as they set out on their CTEM journey. Early attention to these issues during the implementation process can ultimately save time and frustration. Here are three typical challenges encountered when using CTEM:

Challenge 1: Getting non-security and security teams on the same page is the first challenge.

It can be difficult to communicate with and comprehend security teams when working with non-security teams (such as IT, infrastructure, DevOps, application, etc.). When new programmes like CTEM are implemented, this disconnect becomes more difficult. Progress can be hampered by unclear expectations for roles and SLAs.

It is essential to include participants from non-security teams in the conversation from the beginning in order to overcome this difficulty. Giving them a to-do list alone is insufficient. Spend some time with them and go over the CTEM program's objectives. Ask for their opinions and learn what assistance from other teams inside the organisation they need. Sharing information about cyberattacks and their possible effects on businesses can promote awareness and a sense of shared resposnibility.

Challenge 2: Obtaining a bird's-eye perspective

A thorough CTEM programme covers a range of topics, including network security, cloud security, active directory, and software vulnerabilities, among others. Each of these places has a unique set of resources, proprietors, and problems to solve. The difficulty lies in developing a comprehensive viewpoint that takes into account each of these factors and makes sure that no area is left out.

Identify a "point person" who can take a broad view and comprehend how the many areas intersect and affect one another in order to address this difficulty. This person doesn't have to be an expert in every technical nuance, but they should be able to see the large picture to make sure that all necessary specialists are continuously paying attention to all key areas.

Challenge 3: Getting over diagnostic overload

CTEM includes combining data from several technologies, each of which generates a unique set of warnings. Although the primary goal is to streamline this information, doing so can result in an excessive quantity of noise and notifications.

Accepting that no problem can really be fixed is crucial to overcoming this obstacle. Prioritise the scopes and exposures that pose the most risk to the business and are most likely to be used by attackers. Adopt a staged strategy, beginning with a modest scope and progressively growing it as the CTEM programme develops. This "crawl, walk, run" strategy guarantees effectiveness and efficient use of resources.

In conclusion, putting in place a Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) programme can greatly improve the security posture of an organisation. Organisations can lessen the possibility of breaches by taking proactive measures to mitigate vulnerabilities. But there are obstacles in the way of a successful CTEM implementation. Organisations may overcome these difficulties and achieve seamless CTEM implementation by incorporating non-security departments, acquiring a comprehensive awareness of all areas, and efficiently setting priorities. By 2026, organisations that prioritise their security investments based on a continuous exposure management programme will have a three times lower risk of experiencing a breach, claims Gartner. Organisations can set themselves up for success in the field of CTEM by removing any barriers.