Tales from the Trenches: My network hasn’t changed!

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Since 2004, RedSeal has been instrumental in empowering our clients to comprehensively visualize and fortify their intricate networks. While our customers initially grasped the importance of understanding their network architecture, connections, and identifying potential risks, there’s often an enlightening “aha” moment when the true significance becomes unmistakable. These narratives, cherished within the confines of RedSeal, vividly exemplify the practical value of our platform beyond mere theory. In the words of our dedicated field team, who collaborates directly with our clients, this blog series aims to unveil the instances where the theoretical transforms into tangible reality.

Today’s post is brought to you by John Bays, Senior Security Solutions Consultant, Federal

MY NETWORK HASN’T CHANGED

Imagine navigating the landscape of a government entity, where a dedicated administrator went about their daily routine, firmly believing that a single login to the server was all it took to keep things ticking. Little did they know, a significant issue had quietly brewed beneath the surface – the network had remained unchanged for a considerable six-month stretch.

Approaching the situation with curiosity, I gently posed some questions.

  • How might they have overlooked the network’s lack of growth?
  • What led them to believe that everything was running smoothly without addressing potential issues?

This unfolding scenario morphed into a journey of understanding, aiming to uncover misconceptions and illuminate the broader responsibilities at hand.

Misunderstanding a role’s responsibility happens. At RedSeal, we know this and help ensure misunderstandings are laid to rest. Taking a supportive approach, I guided them through various aspects of the platform, emphasizing the value of active involvement. As the pieces fell into place, a realization dawned on this client – our exploration revealed numerous devices being added and removed from the network. This revelation painted a richer picture, demonstrating that their role was more intricate than they had initially perceived.

This experience turned out to be a valuable lesson for all involved, highlighting the importance of staying engaged and adapting to the ever-changing dynamics of the network environment. It wasn’t about fault-finding; rather, it underscored the need for continuous learning and awareness in the evolving tech landscape. After all, even the most dedicated administrators can benefit from a broader perspective on their responsibilities.

At RedSeal, we’re committed to helping you fortify your digital infrastructure, for good. We proactively help visualize your network, identify attack paths, prioritize risk, and help you stay in compliance to ensure your business and customers stay secure.

Reach out to RedSeal or schedule a demo today.

Keeping an Eye on IPv6 in Your Hybrid Network

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IPv6 has its advantages

With the proliferation of connected devices, organizations everywhere are making the transition to Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6). Beyond having astronomically more usable addresses than its IPv4 predecessor (2128 vs. 232), IPv6 has several other advantages, including:

  • Easier administration: IPv6 simplifies address configuration through Stateless Address Autoconfiguration (SLAAC) and DHCPv6 (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol for IPv6). This reduces the likelihood of misconfigurations and makes it easier for organizations to manage their networks securely.
  • Improved routing efficiency: IPv6 eliminates the need for Network Address Translation (NAT), a practice used in IPv4 to conserve address space. NAT can introduce complexities and potential security vulnerabilities. With IPv6, devices can have globally routable addresses without the need for NAT.
  • Enhanced security: IPv6 incorporates security features that were not present in IPv4. For example, IPsec (Internet Protocol Security) is mandatory in IPv6, providing a framework for securing communication at the IP layer. IPsec can be used to encrypt and authenticate data, ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of network communications.

Overall, IPv6 tackles the many limitations and challenges of IPv4 while providing a scalable, efficient, and secure foundation for the future growth of the internet and the proliferation of internet-connected devices.

But the transition can be tricky

While the goal is to eliminate the use of IPv4 entirely, many corporations and governments are expected to maintain dual-stack networks—using both IPv4 and IPv6—for the foreseeable future. The U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has mandated that 80% of IP-enabled assets on federal networks must be operating in IPv6-only environments by the end of its 2025 fiscal year. Meanwhile, IPv6 has been growing unchecked in corporate networks for years, right alongside IPv4.

For too long, organizations have been able to put off the IPv6 transition as a challenge for tomorrow, but the pressure is now on. Cloud adoption is driving up IPv6 use, and unexpected IPv6 pathways are rife with risk. In the worst cases, firewall bypasses can spring up due to unintentional differences between old IPv4 and new IPv6 fabric. Ultimately, IPv6 adoption means bigger networks and more connections—and risks—to manage. Who’s keeping an eye on IPv6 in your network?

IPv6 intelligence for your evolving network

Wherever your organization may be on its journey to an IPv6-only network, you need the ability to answer fundamental questions about IPv6 in your network, and RedSeal can help:

  • What percentage of my total network assets are in IPv6-only environments?
  • Is this subnet truly IPv6-only?
  • What does this IPv6-only subnet look like?
  • Which specific devices need to be upgraded to IPv6?
  • How are IPv6 subnets connected to other parts of my network?
  • Has the introduction of IPv6 created security gaps in my network?

RedSeal delivers the visibility and network context you need to understand where and how IPv6 is being used in your network and what impact it has on your security and compliance initiatives.

Contact us for more details

For more information about how RedSeal can help you minimize risk and maximize resilience in your IPv6 and dual-stack networks, download our IPv6 datasheet and then schedule a demo with one of our cyber-savvy product experts today.

 

Additional IPv6 resources:

Strengthening the Fortress: Best Practices for Incident Response

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As the digital age continues to see rapid change, cyber threat looms over businesses, organizations, and individuals even more than before. And, as technology advances, so do the capabilities of cybercriminals. With today’s digital environment, more than ever before, crafting a robust cybersecurity incident response plan isn’t a recommendation—it’s a critical necessity.

What does this mean? It’s a matter of when—not if—a network is compromised. Companies can no longer assume that security frameworks offer invincibility from evolving cyberattack trends. Instead, businesses need a strong incident response program designed to help them quickly react—and in the worst-case scenario come out stronger on the other side.

Designing a sophisticated incident response framework

A cybersecurity incident response plan establishes a structured framework for teams to adhere to when facing a cyber incident or attack. As defined by Gartner, a cyber incident response plan is “formulated by an enterprise to respond to potentially catastrophic, computer-related incidents, such as viruses or hacker attacks.” Gartner research extends to projections for 2026, suggesting that organizations invest at least 20% of security funds in resilience and flexible programs to halve their recovery time.

In crafting a cybersecurity incident response plan tailored to the specific needs of your organization, key considerations and common components include:

1. Defining objectives and scope. Objectives could include, but aren’t limited to:

  • Impact minimization
  • Business continuity
  • Protecting sensitive information
  • Regulatory compliance
  • Identifying and understanding threats
  • Outline for timely recovery
  • Response efforts
  • Future improvements for cybersecurity posture
  • Post-incident analysis

2. Establishing an Incident Response Team (IRT). Assemble a dedicated team responsible for executing the response plan. The team should be comprised of members of the organization from IT, security, legal, communications, and any other relevant business teams. Roles and responsibilities should be clearly identified to ensure a coordinated and timely response.

3. Developing an incident classification system with procedures. A system for classifying incidents based on severity and impact can help guide the response process and help the IRT prioritize actions. We recommend creating a detailed response playbook with step-by-step guidance for various incidences can help a team contain and recover from the incident effectively and efficiently. Playbook should include communication procedures to ensure employees and appropriate external stakeholders are notified.

4. Implementing incident detection and reporting. Employing an effective detection and reporting system is critical for early identification and response to a cybersecurity incident. Examples include, but are not limited to:

  • Endpoint protection
  • Firewall and network monitoring
  • Email security systems
  • Security and awareness training for employees

5. Conducting regular training and simulation. Training for the incident response team should be set up regularly through simulations and exercises. Each month, RedSeal hosts a Cyber Threat Hunting Workshop. Through our workshop, you will use the RedSeal platform and threat hunt within a pre-built virtual network model. You’ll assess the network’s overall cybersecurity posture while refining your skills in risk and vulnerability assessment, cyber hunting, and incident response. At the completion of the session, you will have learned how to:

  • Identify potential attack vectors that bad actors could use to exploit existing vulnerabilities
  • Optimize resources by leveraging risk-based vulnerability prioritization
  • Easily identify devices on the network that pose the most risk to your enterprise—those with network access and exploitable vulnerabilities
  • Quickly visualize where bad actors can pivot following system compromise and traverse a network
  • Coordinate with other teams to minimize the impact of an event while enhancing your organization’s digital resilience
  • Use network context to develop mitigation strategies and implement your run-book plays

Preventing unauthorized access into, out of, or within a network requires understanding how that network is built– a difficult, tedious, and time-consuming task.

6. Post-incident analysis. Outline and conduct a comprehensive post-incident analysis to understand the root causes of the breach and to identify areas in need of improvement. Lessons should be documented, and the incident response plan should be updated accordingly.

Designing a robust incident response plan is just the tip of the iceberg.

The most important aspect of incident response could be what comes next—evaluation and improvement. Cybersecurity resilience requires constant monitoring and evolution. Regular updates and adaptions to the plan are imperative to effectively address the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats. The journey to securing your network for good is an ongoing process, demanding an unwavering commitment to visibility, refinement, and optimization. At RedSeal, we’re committed to helping you fortify your digital infrastructure, for good. We proactively help visualize your network, identify attack paths, prioritize risk, and help you stay in compliance to ensure your business and customers stay secure.

 

Interested in learning more?

Download our in-depth look into incident response planning today!

Reach out to RedSeal or schedule a demo today.

Cyber Trends to Watch for in 2024: Navigating the Evolving Landscape

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As technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, the cyber landscape is undergoing unprecedented transformations. As we step into 2024, it’s crucial to stay ahead of the curve and be aware of emerging cyber trends.

Keep an eye on these notable trends unfolding in the cybersecurity landscape:

1. AI-Powered Cyber Attacks

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer just a tool for cybersecurity; it’s also becoming a weapon in the hands of cybercriminals. In 2024, we can expect a surge in AI-powered cyber attacks. Attackers are leveraging machine learning algorithms to automate and enhance their attack strategies, making it more challenging for traditional security measures to detect and prevent these threats. Automating attack path analysis and malware analysis with AI are a couple of ways to combat attackers using AI.

According to Springfield FBI, Cybercrime costs businesses more than $10 billion in the U.S. last year, a figure that could reach $10.5 trillion, globally by 2025, according to Cybersecurity Ventures. They also estimate ransomware alone will cost its victims around $265 billion annually by 2031—an astonishing 815 times more than the $325 million that organizations spent on ransomware in 2015.

The average cost of a data breach reached an all-time high of $4.45 million in 2023, according to IBM—a 15.3% increase over the cost in 2020. Knowing what assets you need to protect and important steps you can take to identify and mitigate them is crucial.

2. Quantum Computing Threats

While quantum computing promises revolutionary advancements, it also poses a significant threat to current encryption standards. In 2024, as quantum computing technologies mature, the risk of cryptographic vulnerabilities increases. The primary goal of a cryptographic system is to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity of data. Cryptographic techniques are widely used in various applications, including secure communication over the internet, data storage, authentication, and digital signatures. Cryptographic systems play a crucial role in ensuring the security of digital communication and information in various domains, including online banking, e-commerce, secure messaging, and data protection.

The White House and the Homeland Security Department have made clear that in the wrong hands, a powerful quantum computer could disrupt everything from secure communications to the underpinnings of our financial system.

Organizations must start preparing for quantum-resistant encryption methods to safeguard their sensitive information.

3. Ransomware 2.0: Double Extortion

Persistent and evolving, ransomware attacks continue to pose a significant threat. In 2024, we anticipate the rise of “Ransomware 2.0,” which involves double extortion tactics. In addition to encrypting data, attackers are increasingly stealing sensitive information before locking it down. This dual-threat approach puts added pressure on victims to pay the ransom, as the exposure of sensitive data adds a new dimension to the consequences of non-compliance. Prioritizing vulnerabilities and automating compliance checks can improve the efficiency of your security team.

4. IoT Security Challenges

The Internet of Things (IoT) is expanding rapidly, connecting more devices than ever before. Research expert for the consumer electronics industry, Lionel Sujay Vailshery of Statista, estimates that more than 15 billion devices are on the Internet of Things, outnumbering non-IoT devices with 2 of 3 on IoT. However, this increased connectivity comes with heightened security risks. In 2024, we anticipate a surge in IoT-related cyber attacks as attackers exploit vulnerabilities in poorly secured devices. Strengthening IoT security protocols, such as through device authentication and authorization, securing communication channels, keeping firmware and software up to date, and security testing and vulnerability management, will be crucial to prevent widespread breaches. Knowing what is attached and who can get to it will help protect you in the future.

5. Supply Chain Attacks

Supply chain attacks are not new, but they are becoming increasingly more sophisticated, with cybercriminals targeting the networks of suppliers and service providers to compromise the security of the ultimate target.

In a supply chain attack, an attacker might target a cybersecurity vendor and add malware to their software, which is then sent out in a system update to that vendor’s clients. When the clients download the update, believing it to be from a trusted source, the malware grants attackers access to those clients’ systems and information. This is essentially how the SolarWinds attack unfolded in 2020, targeting 18,000 customers.

As organizations continue to rely on a complex web of third-party vendors, securing the entire supply chain becomes paramount in 2024.

6. Regulatory Developments

Governments and regulatory bodies are increasingly recognizing the importance of cybersecurity. We’ve already seen change in New York’s requirements for reporting breaches by company size and in 2024, we anticipate the introduction of more stringent regulations and compliance requirements. Organizations will need to stay abreast of these changes to ensure they meet the evolving standards and avoid legal and financial repercussions.

The cyber landscape is poised for continued evolution. By adopting proactive cybersecurity measures and embracing innovative solutions, we can collectively navigate the challenges and threats that lie ahead.

At RedSeal, we’re committed to fortifying your digital infrastructure. We proactively help visualize your network, identify attack paths, prioritize risk, and help you stay in compliance to ensure your business and customers stay secure.

Reach out to RedSeal or schedule a demo today.