The Evolution of CybersecurityWhy One Method of Protection Isn’t Enough
There’s no single protection we can use if we want an intruder to get trapped, much less caught. I’m referring, of course, to cyber-attacks. At the security conference I attended this past month, one session was especially memorable. Titled ‘Attacking EDR/XDR Investigations’, the panel discussed how the bad actors are now able to evade (or bypass) EDR and Extended Detection and Response (XDR) systems. Both types of software are EPP with built-in EDR capabilities. This new sophistication emphasized the fact that we now need cybersecurity systems for detection and response, along with anticipation and trapping.
The Inadequacy of Single-Method Protection
One strategy has been to pour investments into perimeter defenses or to use reactive tools such as EDR/XDR that continually monitor and respond to threats that are already happening based on known behaviors. Both approaches give attackers a tailwind to bypass defenses and go undetected. So when tools evolved to evade perimeter defenses, reactive tools stopped being effective. When tools evolved to avoid most threat detection, traditional perimeter defenses stopped being effective. Now, when EDR/XDR systems can’t detect tools, reactive tools don’t work: there’s nobody to chase and nothing preventing attackers from accelerating their business. Because threats keep evolving, defenses must evolve too.
The Power of Traps: A Layered Defense Strategy
The other main lesson from the conference was that we must put traps along the path – countermeasures that address more than just the alerts. To that end, at BastionX, we’ve been building systems for triage and response. For instance, the BastionX system is not driven by XDR alerts but instead augments our defenses by fusing Aria XDR and SIEM with Aria Tripwire, which enables the placement of traps throughout the infrastructure. These serve as warning systems that catch attacks before penetrating the external defenses.
The Role of MDR Services: 24/7 SOC Monitoring
BastionX security-as-a-service complements this with our Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services, with 24/7 Security Operations Center (SOC) monitoring. Continually watching your environment using advanced technology combined with an elite security operations team ensures threats are detected and responded to before it’s too late. When you combine BastionX MDR services with Aria XDR & SIEM, you get continuous monitoring backed by an elite security operations team with 24/7 SOC coverage, all within BastionX’s adaptive XDR framework for detection and response.
Aria AI: Learning Your Environment
And the last and integral part of this multilayered defense is Aria AI. In the first 30 days of onboarding with BastionX, Aria AI learns the context of your typicality. In this learning phase, the AI can grasp regular operation, trace areas of vulnerability, and further tune its responses based on organization-specific requirements. We consider the learning phase another important defense layer, which ensures that Aria AI is not merely reactive but is preemptive, learning, adapting, and evolving with the infrastructure.
Strategic Partnerships: Strengthening Our Defense
Having the right mix of tools, people, and processes to defend is essential, but BastionX believes this can be improved through alliances with key partners in the cybersecurity field. Working with some of the biggest names in the industry helps BastionX implement the newest threat intelligence, tech, and best practices into its defenses, acting as another string in the company’s cyber bow to protect clients against cyber criminals.
Leveraging the Latest Threat Intelligence
We integrate the latest threat intelligence feeds from industry leaders like CrowdStrike and SentinelOne into our Aria agents to stay ahead of emerging threats. This continuous stream of real-time data ensures that our defenses are always up-to-date and capable of recognizing and responding to even the newest tactics attackers employ.
A Multi-Layered Approach is Essential
The lesson from the security conference is simple: there is no single silver bullet you should have. Cybersecurity must be multi-dimensional, combining sophisticated detection capabilities with proactive measures such as traps, ongoing threat intelligence, and around-the-clock SOC. BastionX is following this approach: we advocate using our own AriaXDR & SIEM when combined with strategic deployment of Aria Tripwire, the automatic learning of Aria AI, and the resilience of our strategic partnerships. We create a multi-factorial approach that enables us to react forward and nullify, providing the most robust protective wall imaginable for the customer.
This recognition of the need for a diversified layered defense strategy is not just the next stage in the intellectual evolution of cybersecurity thinking but also the future of cybersecurity. Given the increasing sophistication and volume of threats, our defenses have to evolve so that we are always one step ahead in the constant battle to keep our digital worlds safe.
Key Takeaways
- The Inadequacy of Single-Method Protection:
Traditional cybersecurity measures, such as EDR/XDR, are no longer sufficient due to the increasing sophistication of cyber threats. A single-method approach leaves gaps that advanced attackers can exploit.
- The Importance of a Multi-Layered Defense Strategy:
To effectively combat evolving threats, cybersecurity must incorporate a multi-layered approach that includes strategic traps, continuous monitoring, and proactive measures like Aria Tripwire, which serve as early warning systems.
- The Role of MDR Services and Continuous Vigilance:
24/7 SOC monitoring and Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services are essential to a robust cybersecurity strategy. These services combine human expertise with advanced technology to ensure real-time threat detection and incident response. - The Power of Strategic Partnerships and Continuous Learning:
Leveraging partnerships with industry leaders and integrating the latest threat intelligence into systems like Aria XDR & SIEM is critical. Additionally, AI-driven tools like Aria AI must continuously learn and adapt to the environment, ensuring defenses are always current and effective.