First things first:
What is TEM in security?
In as simple terms as possible, TEM (Threat Exposure Management), also known as CTEM (Continuous Threat Exposure Management), is an important organizational tool for network cybersecurity, helping organizations find and fix weak spots in their digital systems. TEM outsmarts hackers with an effective ‘threat formula’ before they break into your network.
Cyber criminals keep finding new ways to break into your network, and cyber-attacks keep getting worse – and more frequent. TEM helps businesses spot problems before they become big issues.
Here’s what TEM does:
Defines weak points in your network
Fixes issues quickly
Reduces your risk of cyber attacks
TEM continuously scans your entire network using special software to find places hackers could attack and help you fix these weak spots.
How Tem works:
Constant Monitoring
TEM is like a shark: it doesn’t sleep. It is always on the hunt for prey. This enables you to find and address new problems as soon as they appear.
Risks Assessment and Prioritization
Always dealt with the worst first. TEM finds and determines which weak spots are the most dangerous so you can fix the most important ones first.
What are the key components of TEM?
The 4 basic components are as follows:
1: Asset Discovery
This is taking stock of what you have: catalogue all devices and software on your network, because you can’t protect what you don’t know about.
2: Scanning for Vulnerabilities
This is the bread and butter of TEM. It continuously looks for open weak spots in your system, like checking for unlocked doors in your house.
3: Continuing Threat Intelligence
This is the component that keeps you apprised of new hacker tricks and tactics. It helps you know what to look for.
4: Remediation Planning
Fix the weak spots once you find them is the final part of the TEM plan. TEM helps you make good choices on how to patch these spots.
Here’s what a solid TEM plan will do for you:
Save you money
Cleaning up after a cyber-attack is never cheap, so stopping an attack before it happens can save you a lot of money.
Enhances your cybersecurity
Obviously, when you find and fix weak spots, your entire system is safer.
Gives you peace of mind
Rest easier once you have initiated TEM, because you know someone is watching your system all the time. This can help you worry less about cyber-attacks.
A good TEM tool should:
Be easy to use
Give immediate results
Integrate well with your other security tools
Generate reports that are easy to understand
Getting Started with TEM
Before anything else, review your current security setup
Select the TEM tool that best fits your needs
Set up the tool and start scanning
Create a plan to fix the weak spots you find
Stay vigilant and scan continuously
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between risk management and threat management?
Simply put, risks are a passive danger which may or may not happen, while threats are an active danger that needs immediate attention. You can only identify a threat once an attacker targets your organization. But that doesn't mean your only option is to wait until it's too late.
What is the threat formula?
The formula is basically this: Vulnerability x Threat = Risk. A single vulnerability multiplied by the potential threat (frequency, existing safeguards, and potential value loss) can give you an estimate of the risk involved.
What is the difference between CTEM and vulnerability management?
It’s a matter of being proactive versus reactive. The two key differences between Vulnerability Management (VM) and CTEM:
Scope: While VM concentrates on identifying and addressing vulnerabilities, CTEM focuses on understanding and managing the organization's overall threat exposure.
Frequency: VM is generally periodic and reactive, whereas CTEM is continuous and proactive.
What are the five stages of threat modeling?
According to Microsoft, the five major threat modelling steps are:
1: Defining security requirements.
2: Creating an application diagram.
3: Identifying threats.
4: Mitigating threats.
5: Validating that threats have been mitigated.
Read more HERE.
How secure is your network?
As a longstanding, reputable member of the Charlotte IT Support community, we offer a FREE, no-risk network and security assessment. We perform a non-intrusive scan that allows us to deliver a comprehensive report of the state of your system and its vulnerabilities that is yours to keep. There are no strings attached, and you are under no obligation to ever use our Managed IT services.
The two best defenses are next-generation network security to protect your data from theft, and a top-notch Managed Services Provider (MSP) to ensure continued reliability and defenses against newly emerging threats.
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