The Need for Symbiotic Cybersecurity Strategies | Part 2: Integrating Proactive Security Intelligence into MDR

In Part 1 of this series, The Need for Symbiotic Cybersecurity Strategies, we explored the critical need for comprehensive Managed Detection and Response (MDR) as the cornerstone of modern cybersecurity strategies. We also discussed how asset visibility is vital in enhancing MDR effectiveness by ensuring that all IT assets are accounted for and protected. In Part 2, we dig deeper into the integration of proactive security intelligence within MDR, highlighting how this symbiotic approach can significantly strengthen an organization’s overall security posture. By examining key areas such as endpoint coverage gaps, event and threat analysis, and the enhancement of MDR with proactive security measures, this installment will provide actionable insights for building a resilient cybersecurity framework.

While comprehensive managed cybersecurity services are critical, organizations increasingly recognize that traditional security measures are no longer sufficient. They are adopting proactive, risk-based approaches that combine multiple elements of cybersecurity to enhance the overall effectiveness of their security program.

Proactive cybersecurity maturity refers to the highest level of capability within an organization’s cybersecurity practices. It involves a forward-thinking approach that anticipates, prevents, and mitigates cybersecurity threats before they can harm or damage the organization’s assets, data, and reputation.

By using the MITRE ATT&CK® Framework — a comprehensive knowledge base of adversary tactics and techniques based on real-world observations — organizations can enhance their cybersecurity strategies by:

1. Aligning detections with attacker Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) to improve threat detection and response capabilities.
2. Leveraging the framework’s mitigation strategies associated with specific techniques and sub-techniques to proactively strengthen defenses.
3. Informing the development of clear guidance and integrated playbooks to contain common attacks, which can be used to accelerate response time through automation. At Critical Start, we’ve developed such playbooks based on the MITRE ATT&CK® Framework to enhance our MDR service.
4. Utilizing mitigation strategies from the MITRE ATT&CK® Framework to address repeated attack vectors with targeted solutions based on threats unique to the IT environment. Our Critical Start MITRE ATT&CK® Mitigations Recommendations feature leverages this aspect of the framework to provide customized defense strategies.

This approach allows for a more comprehensive and proactive security posture, addressing potential vulnerabilities before they can be exploited and improving overall resilience against cyber threats.

While asset visibility lays the foundation for effective MDR, it’s not the only critical component. Ensuring comprehensive coverage across all endpoints and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems is essential to avoid blind spots that threat actors could exploit. Let’s explore how addressing endpoint coverage gaps can further enhance your organization’s cybersecurity defenses.

Endpoint Coverage Gaps

In 2023, the Critical Start Cyber Incident Response Team (CIRT) found that 28% of the total network breaches worked were due to unmonitored/unmanaged devices with no/limited visibility. Furthermore, 75% of the network breaches investigated for existing Critical Start MDR customers were due to a lack of endpoint protection and visibility.

The efficacy of MDR solutions is intrinsically tied to the breadth and depth of threat telemetry ingested, emphasizing the need for comprehensive data collection across the enterprise attack surface. Limited visibility into assets connected to the network leaves organizations exposed around the clock and security leaders unsure of their true level of risk exposure. The 2024 Critical Start Cyber Risk Landscape Peer Report indicates that 86% of security professionals are concerned about unknown organizational cyber risks.

SIEM Coverage Gaps

Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems play a pivotal role in aggregating and correlating security events across an organization’s entire infrastructure, providing crucial visibility beyond endpoint-centric monitoring. However, SIEM systems can also suffer from coverage gaps. These gaps arise from incomplete data collection, misconfigurations, or a lack of integration with all relevant data sources. For example, a SIEM might miss critical events if log sources are not properly configured or if certain systems are not integrated into the SIEM’s data collection process.

When SIEM systems fail to capture comprehensive data, it can lead to critical detection issues, leaving organizations blind to potential threats. To address this, organizations should regularly audit their SIEM configurations, ensure all critical systems are properly integrated, and monitor for any unexpected drops in log volume or missing data sources. Integrating SIEM with endpoint detection capabilities and ensuring that all data sources are accurately reported can help mitigate these gaps.

Impact of Coverage Gaps

Any gaps in inventory and coverage create significant threat detection issues. When security coverage gaps exist, they remain invisible, preventing threat signals from being accurately reported and received by the MDR system. This can result in breaches occurring via unprotected endpoints, user, cloud, and network infrastructures, leaving organizations vulnerable and often wondering how these threats went undetected.

To mitigate these risks, organizations must ensure comprehensive endpoint and SIEM coverage. This includes implementing real-time monitoring solutions that provide continuous visibility into all connected assets and logs being ingested across SIEM systems and endpoint detection tools. By addressing these issues, organizations can improve their overall security posture and ensure more effective threat detection and response.

Event and Threat Analysis

The MITRE ATT&CK® Framework is a globally accessible knowledge base of adversary tactics and techniques based on real-world observations. Utilizing this framework enhances threat intelligence and response strategies. By integrating MITRE ATT&CK® Mitigations, security professionals can respond more effectively to active threats. Additionally, when these mitigations are paired with prioritized recommendations for configuration and controls, they provide prescriptive steps to continually strengthen defenses.

Enhance MDR with Proactive Security Measures

Combining proactive cybersecurity measures with MDR enhances an organization’s ability to prevent, detect, and respond to incidents. These measures include
• Framework-aligned peer-benchmarked questionnaires
• Cyber asset management
• Configuration and controls recommendations based on repeated events

This comprehensive approach integrates multiple layers of defense, creating a robust security posture that addresses vulnerabilities and mitigates risks.

Interestingly, our 2024 survey reveals a significant gap between intentions and current implementations:

• 99.4% of respondents report that they plan to implement a managed cyber risk reduction solution within the next six months to two years.
• These solutions aim to continuously monitor and mitigate cyber risks to proactively protect critical assets with a measurable ROI that aligns with the organization’s risk appetite.
• However, a mere 0.40% currently have one in place.

To further enhance the integration of proactive and reactive cybersecurity measures, Critical Start employs framework-aligned peer-benchmarked questionnaires. These questionnaires, mapped against industry standards like the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) and other relevant security frameworks depending on the specific assessment, allow organizations to assess their security posture and compare it against industry peers. By leveraging data from our initial survey work, these assessments provide actionable insights that highlight areas for improvement, ensuring our clients benefit from a comprehensive, data-driven strategy combining the latest threat intelligence with proven best practices.

Vulnerability Management

Cyber vulnerabilities are weaknesses or loopholes within system defenses that can be exploited by cyber threat actors or malicious code. These vulnerabilities stem from software flaws, outdated systems, misconfigurations, configuration drift, or subpar security practices and can potentially result in unauthorized access or data breaches. Effective vulnerability management is a critical component of cybersecurity, empowering organizations to transform threat and vulnerability data into actionable insights to eliminate attack vectors and accelerate remediation. However, it involves continuously identifying, assessing, and remediating vulnerabilities within an organization’s IT environment to prevent exploitation by threat actors.

While many organizations have vulnerability scanning tools in place, the complexities and demands of maintaining a fully functional vulnerability management program require expertise and time that organizations often lack. For example, vulnerability scanners can produce unmanageable amounts of data without providing risk-aware contextualization. While automated systems can identify vulnerabilities, validating findings and assessing real-world risks is critical to effective vulnerability management.

Triaging and prioritizing vulnerabilities takes a significant effort that involves many moving parts, including vulnerability priority and severity, exploitability, exploit probability, weaponization, and the potential impact an exploit might have on the organization. Only with a prioritized list can organizations meaningfully reduce risk through patching and mitigation efforts.

The 2024 Cyber Risk Landscape Peer Report survey respondents have increasingly recognized the value of partnering with an expert vendor for vulnerability management services. Outsourcing not just detection and response but also the management, configuration, and continuous oversight of vulnerability management programs provides several advantages:

• Comprehensive Management: Providers offer end-to-end management of vulnerability programs, ensuring that all aspects, from detection to remediation, are handled efficiently.
• Advanced Configuration: Providers bring expertise in configuring security tools and systems to optimize vulnerability detection and response.
• Resource Allocation: Outsourcing allows organizations to allocate their internal resources more effectively, allowing them to focus on core business activities while leaving complex security tasks to specialists.
• Continuous Improvement: Providers stay updated with the latest threat intelligence and best practices, continuously refining their methods to protect against emerging threats.

Despite having internal vulnerability management programs, the growing complexity of cyber threats and the need for specialized expertise make teaming up with an external provider invaluable. By partnering with an MDR service offering Managed Vulnerability Management, organizations can ensure a robust and proactive approach to cybersecurity, reducing the risk of breaches and enhancing their overall security posture.

Conclusion and Key Takeaways

In this two-part series, we have emphasized the importance of a symbiotic approach to cybersecurity, where Managed Detection and Response (MDR) is bolstered by proactive security measures. Part 1 focused on the significance of asset visibility and its role in ensuring that MDR systems receive accurate and comprehensive threat signals. Part 2 expanded on this foundation, addressing the need to close endpoint and SIEM coverage gaps, integrate event and threat analysis using the MITRE ATT&CK® Framework, and enhance MDR with proactive security intelligence.

Key Takeaways:

1. Asset Visibility: Complete visibility into an organization’s up-to-date asset inventory is essential for effective threat detection and response.
2. Endpoint Coverage: Comprehensive endpoint protection is critical to avoid blind spots in your cybersecurity defenses.
3. SIEM Coverage: Ensuring comprehensive SIEM data collection and integration and monitoring for unexpected changes in log volume or missing data sources is crucial for detecting and correlating security events across your entire infrastructure.
4. Proactive Security Intelligence: Integrating proactive measures such as vulnerability management and threat analysis into your MDR strategy can significantly improve your organization’s security posture.
5. Continuous Improvement: Regularly assess and refine your cybersecurity strategies to keep pace with evolving threats and ensure ongoing protection.

By adopting these strategies, organizations can build a robust and resilient cybersecurity framework that not only detects and responds to threats but also anticipates and mitigates risks before they can cause significant harm.

If you’re ready to start managing risk with MDR bolstered by proactive security measures, talk to our experts today.