RunZero Research Report Volume 1, 2024

Annual cybersecurity reports from major vendors typically include sections on current threat landscapes, attack surface insights, and emerging risks. Key findings highlight rapid exploitation of vulnerabilities, the convergence of OT and IT environments, and the expanding attack surfaces introduced by cloud and IoT devices. These reports underscore the importance of continuous asset discovery and risk management in a rapidly evolving threat environment. #runZero #OTandITconvergence

Keypoints

  • Major cybersecurity reports generally have a structured format comprising an introduction, threat landscape analysis, attack surface assessment, emerging threats, and strategic recommendations. Each section provides insights into ongoing vulnerabilities, attack techniques, and future risks.
  • Statistics reveal a surge in exploitation of zero-day vulnerabilities and delayed patching by suppliers, leaving organizations vulnerable for extended periods.
  • Trends show increased convergence of operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT), creating larger and more complex attack surfaces that are increasingly accessible from the internet.
  • Notable findings include the widespread exposure of industrial control systems (ICS) and OT devices to global networks, often with insufficient security controls, raising risks of sabotage and disruption.
  • Reports highlight the proliferation of unusual/end-of-life devices and embedded IoT assets, which tend to be under-monitored but pose significant security liabilities.
  • Recurring themes emphasize the necessity for real-time asset discovery, outlier detection, and comprehensive exposure management to keep pace with fast-changing environments.
  • The impact of cloud migration adds another layer of complexity, with hybrid architectures and stale or misconfigured cloud systems serving as additional attack vectors.
  • Major threats involve exploitation of legacy systems, insecure IoT devices, and vulnerabilities in shared cloud infrastructure, requiring vigilant discovery and mitigation efforts.
  • Overall, cybersecurity landscapes are characterized by rapid shifts in attack techniques and an increasingly broad attack surface, demanding more dynamic and proactive defense strategies.
RunZero-Research-Report-Vol1-2024
Source: Awesome Annual Security Reports - The reports in this collection are limited to content which does not require a paid subscription, membership, or service contract. (https://github.com/jacobdjwilson/awesome-annual-security-reports/)

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