The attack surface of organizations continues to expand, particularly with the rise of cloud computing. Reducing the attack surface is therefore becoming a major concern for IT security. Asset monitoring, vulnerability identification and correction, and data leakage detection are all part of this strategy. Various concepts, tools and technologies enable organizations to maintain their security posture, but the key is to differentiate between the different approaches.
CAASM, EASM and DRPS are three major approaches to attack surface and digital risk management. Let's take a look at the specifics of each of these approaches, their similarities and their main differences.
What is CAASM?
CAASM: definition
CAASM (or Cyber Asset Attack Surface Management) stands for "digital asset attack surface management". The "attack surface" refers to all the entry points through which an attacker could attempt to gain access to a system or data, and all the vulnerabilities that could be exploited (unpatched software and hardware vulnerabilities, configuration faults, etc.).
CAASM is a fairly broad approach, taking into account both internal and external assets, including terminals, servers, databases, applications, etc.
CAASM's role and functions
CAASM solutions enable assets to be mapped, providing a unified view of the attack surface (asset types, locations, interconnections between different assets, etc.). Correlation with other information (vulnerability scanner, network inventory, SIEM, EDR, CMDB, etc.) enables us to assess the level of criticality and risk associated with assets.
Once this work has been completed, organizations can then implement security measures designed to reduce risk. Because it addresses both internal and external vulnerabilities, CAASM strengthens the security posture of organizations.
The importance of CAASM in securing cloud environments
The massive use of cloud computing not only extends the attack surface for organizations, but also makes visibility and control more complex. Users now need to access resources, applications and data from anywhere and from any terminal, often via online portals.
The discovery and securing of digital assets - particularly via CAASM solutions - takes on strategic importance in this context. Configuring cloud resources, managing identities and access, and securing APIs are all essential aspects of securing cloud environments.
What is EASM?
EASM: definition
EASM stands for "External Attack Surface Management", and focuses on entry points accessible via the Internet: websites, web applications, APIs, VPNs, cloud services, etc.
Managing the external attack surface involves detecting assets exposed on the Internet, identifying and prioritizing the risks associated with each asset, then prioritizing and correcting identified vulnerabilities (e.g. open ports, misconfigured services, known and unpatched software flaws, default passwords, unsecured APIs, etc.). The ultimate aim is to reduce the overall attack surface.
EASM features
While there are tools and software dedicated to EASM, it is also important to remember that it is first and foremost a global security strategy that provides better visibility of the attack surface and streamlines security operations. Continuous analysis and proactive vulnerability management are its key strengths.
How does EASM differ from other security solutions?
What are Digital Risk Protection Services (DRPS)?
DRPS: definition and objectives
DRPS stands for "Digital Risk Protection Service". These solutions aim to protect organizations, brands and reputations against potential identity theft (phishing sites, for example) and leaks of sensitive information. Digital risk protection services are not about finding vulnerabilities and reducing the attack surface. They focus on digital footprinting, online presence and threat monitoring.
These services are generally based on automated tools for proactively detecting and mitigating various digital risks. They identify digital risks on different parts of the web (clearweb, deepweb, darkweb), social networks and different digital channels.
What are the links between DRPS and regulatory compliance?
Digital risk protection services help organizations better address their compliance. For example, these solutions make it easier to analyze, assess and respond to digital risks that could lead to regulatory breaches (RGPD or sector-specific regulations, in particular).
Comparison of CAASM, EASM and DRPS approaches
The same goal, different approaches
These three approaches represent three different areas of Attack Surface Management (ASM), but all have the same objective: to precisely identify an organization's IT security shortcomings in order to prioritize and remedy them. All three are therefore geared towards improving IT security.
While these three approaches focus on managing the attack surface, they do not work on the same perimeter. EASM focuses on the security risks associated with external assets. CAASM, on the other hand, focuses on both external and internal assets, enabling organizations to visualize their attack surface more comprehensively.
DRP solutions, on the other hand, do not focus on the management of assets specific to each organization, but go far beyond this perimeter. They monitor the exposure of an organization's sensitive information on the different layers of the web and across all digital channels (monitoring the digital footprint and, in particular, the risks associated with data leakage).
CAASM, EASM, DRPS: the challenges of each approach
These three approaches are all of interest when it comes to IT security (provided they are combined with basic security measures), but they are still relatively unknown. To be fully useful, CAASM solutions need to be used in conjunction with tools for detection and response, vulnerability management and so on. Focusing on both internal and external assets, they offer a more holistic view of an organization's security posture than EASM tools.
Digital risk protection services focus on monitoring online presence, reputation and exposure of sensitive data. These are all elements that CAASM and EASM solutions do not address.
CAASM, EASM, DRPS: how to choose the right approach?
The choice of one or other approach depends on each organization's specific needs and the risks to which it is exposed. Organizations with a particularly large external attack surface are best served by EASM, while those with critical internal assets may choose CAASM. Elements such as the nature of the assets, whether or not they are exposed to the Internet, and their level of criticality should be used as selection criteria.
As for DRP-type solutions, it's hard to say today what type of organization could do without monitoring its digital footprint. All organizations have an interest in looking beyond their perimeter to identify the threats that concern them within the various digital channels.
What synergies are possible between these three approaches?
By combining these different approaches and solutions, security teams can develop a comprehensive understanding of their security risks, and take the most appropriate measures to reduce these cyber risks. Increasingly, the term "Exposure Management" is being used to describe this approach, which involves continuously identifying and prioritizing cyber threats in order to deal with them effectively.
The differences between CAASM, EASM and CBI: key points to remember
- CAASM, EASM and DRPS are three types of approach and solution for attack surface management and exposure management.
- All three focus on the assessment and mitigation of cyber risks, but the way they are achieved and their scope differ: external and internal assets for CAASM, external assets for EASM, digital channel monitoring for Digital Risk Protection Services (DRPS).
- The combined integration of these different approaches within an overall IT security strategy enables organizations to protect their assets, data and reputation.
OverSOC can help you better protect your attack surface. Please contact us.
