Increasing digitalization and connectivity mean the attack surfaces of most organizations are growing. This means more IT assets to track and manage, plus more potential attack routes for threat actors to target. The threat situation is constantly increasing, especially in the area of vulnerabilities – last year over 30,000 new vulnerabilities were published. So how can you get an accurate view of your attack surface and where it might be open to exploitation?

An effective way to assess and improve your overall cybersecurity posture is to map and analyze your attack surface and get an ‘attack surface score.’ We’ll explain why your attack surface score is worth knowing and even show you how to get a free attack surface analysis.

What is an attack surface score? 

The best way to calculate an attack surface score is through an External Attack Surface Management solution. The attack surface score is an assessment of an organization’s total external attack surface. This assessment is based on various cybersecurity elements, including technical, human, procedural, regulatory, organizational, and physical aspects. All of these elements are designed to protect the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of information and systems. In this way, vulnerabilities can in turn be identified, and priorities set to increase the cyber resilience of the company. 

How is the attack surface score calculated? 

The attack surface score is a complex assessment that considers and weighs multiple areas of an organization’s attack surface. Here’s an overview of how this score is typically calculated: 

Identification of the attack surface 

First, all internet-connected assets and resources are identified. This includes web servers, cloud services, network devices, and other digital components that can be potential points of attack. EASM solutions are able to discover both known and unknown internet-facing assets.

Vulnerability assessment 

This is followed by a thorough analysis of the vulnerabilities, including known vulnerabilities in software versions, missing patches, and configuration issues. Each vulnerability is weighted according to its risk. 

Analysis of the configuration 

The EASM solution verifies that IT resources are configured according to established security policies. This includes evaluating security headers, access controls, and implementing authentication methods. 

Assessment of exposed services 

Applications or services that are accidentally or intentionally accessible directly via the internet are evaluated. These include protocols for authentication and authorization, and the need to take certain services offline or implement access restrictions. 

Encryption check 

The validity and strength of the encryption, especially of SSL certificates, is checked. It ensures that all connections are secure and protected from man-in-the-middle attacks. A man-in-the-middle attack is a cyberattack in which an attacker secretly intercepts or alters communications between two parties in order to steal or manipulate sensitive information.

An example of a man-in-the-middle attack is when an attacker on a public Wi-Fi network intercepts traffic between a user and a banking website and steals the user’s login credentials. 

Reputation monitoring 

The reputation of the company’s IP addresses and domains is checked against security lists and spam databases. Reputation issues can indicate blacklists and should be addressed immediately. 

Cyber hygiene evaluation 

The overall cyber hygiene of the digital environment is assessed, including the management of outdated websites, unused or expired domains, and unnecessary digital footprints. 

Search for compromised credentials 

In addition, Outpost24’s EASM solution integrates Threat Intelligence to check whether there are leaked credentials from users linked to your domains online. 

Early detection of cybersecurity risks and increased cyber resilience 

By continuously monitoring and assessing all internet-connected assets and their security status, organizations can identify vulnerabilities before they are exploited by attackers. Continuous monitoring and improvement of the attack surface increases an organization’s cyber resilience. A reduced and well-managed attack surface means that it becomes more difficult for attackers to penetrate the system. It also makes the company more resilient to cyberattacks by minimizing potential entry points and strengthening security protocols. 

How does your external attack surface perform? 

The attack surface score is an indispensable tool for modern companies that take their cybersecurity seriously. It provides a clear and measurable assessment of the security posture, enables effective prioritization of actions, and helps increase cyber resilience. By continuously monitoring the attack surface score and adjusting accordingly, the organization remains secure and better prepared for future threats. 

Book your free attack surface analysis here.