Understanding Gartner's CTEM Categories
Gartner's Latest Framework: Gartner recently introduced new categories in its Hype Cycle for Security Operations report to enhance Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM). These categories help organizations manage their ever-expanding attack surfaces by structuring exposure management technologies into three main areas.
Key CTEM Categories
1. Threat Exposure Management (TEM): This encompasses the overall technologies and processes under a CTEM program to manage threats effectively.
2. Exposure Assessment Platforms (EAP): This new category combines vulnerability assessment and prioritization to streamline management and boost efficiency. EAPs utilize threat intelligence and asset criticality information for contextualized insights.
3. Adversarial Exposure Validation (AEV): Merging Breach and Attack Simulation (BAS) with automated pentesting, AEV provides continuous, automated evidence of exposure. It challenges IT defenses using real-world attack techniques.
How CTEM Framework Benefits Enterprises
Improved Security Posture: CTEM helps businesses proactively identify and address critical risks, making attack surfaces more manageable. EAPs reduce dependency on basic scores like CVSS by offering richer context.
Enhanced Operational Efficiency: AEV automates adversarial tests, reducing the burden on security teams and allowing red teams to focus on priority areas.
Reduced Risk: EAPs and AEVs enable enterprises to focus on vulnerabilities that pose significant business risks, rather than merely exploitable ones.
Challenges and Recommendations
Mind Shift Required: Security needs to move beyond compliance mindsets, focusing instead on the exploitability and impact of vulnerabilities.
Integration of Tools: For AEV, integrating BAS and penetration testing capabilities is crucial. Opt for agentless technologies that replicate attacker techniques while minimizing operational demands.
Final Thoughts: The CTEM framework's evolution underscores the importance of a proactive approach to reducing risk exposure. The new categories reflect product maturity and operationalization of CTEM, guiding enterprises in their cybersecurity strategies.
