Cybersecurity is one of the most complex responsibilities for organizations today. Within the multi-layered madness, there are plenty of procedures to follow that, if missed, can open the gates to a flood of threats and malicious activity. The term “security misconfiguration” has been making its rounds lately, leaving many C-level leaders concerned, cautious, and slightly confused.
After reading this blog, you will understand what a misconfiguration is and the best ways to prevent it from occurring within your organization.
A misconfiguration is a significant cybersecurity error that occurs when a system, application, or network component is set up incorrectly or against best practices. Misconfigurations come in many forms and often stem from poor change control, adaptations made to accommodate testing or troubleshooting, or a lack of experience or understanding of best practices for a given system.
Misconfigurations are a rising concern because they create vulnerabilities in a system or network that malicious actors often exploit. This can lead to unauthorized access, data exposure, compliance violations, and more.
Ten most common network misconfigurations as defined by The National Security Agency (NSA) and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA):
All the best prevention strategies start with training and awareness, and misconfiguration prevention is no different. Recognizing warning signs and preparing for the worst will increase your team’s confidence if a misconfiguration occurs. This starts by educating yourself and your staff on proper configuration techniques and best practices. This will look different for every organization, but the overarching goal is understanding the latest threats surrounding security misconfigurations. Increasing knowledge decreases mistakes, and the same applies here.
Once your team is well-trained, it is essential to implement a consistent schedule of reviews and audits. We highly suggest performing audits two times per year to ensure all your networks and systems operate efficiently. Audits consist of checking system settings, applications, and databases to ensure correct configuration. Routine checks allow you to quickly identify misconfiguration vulnerabilities and remediate weaknesses before they’re exploited.
Automation doubles as a timesaver and lifesaver in this scenario. Implementing automated configuration management tools ensures that systems are always set up properly. Specific automation tools can detect and rectify security misconfigurations without your team lifting a finger. This directly reduces human error and saves valuable time and effort.
Dealing with misconfigurations can be lengthy, but what if there was a way to simplify it?
Enter Xigent’s SecurPath Service.
SecurPath is a security program leadership and management service that provides the expert skills (vCISO), process, and supporting technology to lead, manage, build, and maintain a cybersecurity capability you can trust to achieve your risk management goals. SecurPath encourages and assists you in implementing robust security practices, conducting regular security assessments and audits, and using automated tools to scan for and remediate misconfigurations, all for less than the cost of hiring a full-time CISO.
Click here to learn all the benefits that SecurPath can bring to your organization.