Security

The Rise of Attack Surface Management

Learn about the emergence and importance of Attack Surface Management in modern cybersecurity

By LAOLAB Team October 5, 2023

As digital infrastructures grow increasingly complex, managing the attack surface has become a critical component of modern cybersecurity strategies.

What is Attack Surface Management?

Attack Surface Management (ASM) is a comprehensive approach to identifying, cataloging, and managing all points of potential vulnerability in an organization’s IT infrastructure. These points include:

Internet-facing assets and applications
Cloud resources
Shadow IT
Third-party connections
Mobile devices
IoT devices

Why is ASM Important?

The attack surface of modern organizations is expanding rapidly due to:

Digital Transformation: More business processes are moving online
Cloud Migration: Infrastructure is increasingly distributed
Remote Work: Company assets are accessed from various locations
Shadow IT: Employees using unauthorized applications
IoT Adoption: More connected devices entering the network

Without proper management, these factors create numerous security blind spots that attackers can exploit.

Key Components of ASM

A robust ASM program typically includes:

Discovery

Continuous identification of all assets connected to your network, including those unknown to security teams.

Vulnerability Assessment

Regular scanning and evaluation of potential security weaknesses.

Prioritization

Risk-based approach to addressing vulnerabilities based on potential impact.

Remediation

Systematic approach to fixing or mitigating identified vulnerabilities.

Continuous Monitoring

Ongoing surveillance of the attack surface for new vulnerabilities or changes.

How Echelon ASM Helps

Our Echelon ASM platform provides:

Automated Discovery: Continuously maps your external attack surface
Vulnerability Intelligence: Real-time identification of exploitable weaknesses
Risk Prioritization: AI-driven analysis to focus on what matters most
Integration Capabilities: Works with your existing security tools
Compliance Support: Helps maintain regulatory compliance

Conclusion

As cyber threats evolve, having visibility and control over your attack surface is no longer optional—it’s essential. By implementing a systematic approach to ASM, organizations can significantly reduce their risk exposure and strengthen their overall security posture.