Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs): Protect your organization with Cosmikal Endurance

Do you know what phishing, a DDoS attack, or ransomware is? They are some of the most commonly reported attack variants by companies in recent months. However, organizations also register many other types, some of which are more delicate and cross-cutting, such as Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs).

What are APTs?

Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) refer to advanced attackers who are highly skilled and sufficiently motivated to exploit systems and networks. Unlike conventional attacks, APTs are persistent and adaptive, evading detection for long periods. APTs can be sponsored by governments, organized crime, or competitors.

The danger of this type of threat goes beyond the monetary losses that the affected company will initially suffer, as the prolonged presence of attackers in the system will allow them to understand the IT infrastructure well enough for the impact to be much deeper and more harmful.

How do they work?

Typically, APTs have followed a life cycle similar to this:

• Attackers typically use social engineering and spear phishing via email, employing zero-day viruses. They may place malware on a website that the affected employees are likely to visit.
• Establish a foothold: The attackers may install remote management software on the victim’s network or create backdoors and network tunnels that allow stealthy access to the network infrastructure.
• Escalate privileges: The attackers use exploits and decrypt passwords to gain administrator privileges on the victim’s computer and potentially extend them to Windows domain administrator accounts.
• Conduct internal reconnaissance: The attackers gather information about the surrounding infrastructure, trust relationships, and Windows domain structure.
• Move laterally: They extend control to other workstations, servers, and elements of the infrastructure, collecting data from them.
• Maintain presence: The attackers ensure continuous control over the access channels and credentials acquired in the previous steps.
• Complete the mission: The aggressors extract the stolen data from the victim’s network.

What could be some indicators of their existence in an organization?

Anomalous traffic: Look for unusual communication patterns or connections to suspicious locations.

User behavior: Detect changes in employee behavior, such as unusual access or large data downloads..

File anomalies: Scan files for malicious signatures or unauthorized changes.

What can you do to mitigate this type of threat?

As the information security officer, there are several actions you should take:

• Create an Information Security strategy from the company’s management by hiring a security officer or establishing a security committee with a business focus.
• Update your systems, install necessary patches, perform indicated maintenance, and test your incident response plan.
• Develop a training and awareness program for employees.
• Install a Privileged Access Management (PAM) solution.

What is a Privileged Access Management (PAM) solution and how can it protect my company?

A Privileged Access Management (PAM) solution is software that helps the Information Security officer secure, control, manage, and monitor privileged access to critical assets. A PAM solution helps minimize attack surfaces, control privileges, and secure the organization’s most important digital assets.

Here are some of its features:

• Secure storage and management of confidential credentials such as passwords, keys, and certificates in a secure vault.
• Application of least privilege principles and zero permanent privileges.
• Machine-to-machine password rotation without user knowledge.
• Log, monitor, audit, and video record all user activities.

Cosmikal Endurance, the Privileged Access Management (PAM) solution

Among the numerous cybersecurity applications and systems that could help protect you from these types of threats, experts highlight Cosmikal Endurance, the customizable and scalable Privileged Access Management (PAM) solution.

Cosmikal Endurance provides users with a quick and easy setup, simple and secure maintenance, advanced monitoring and auditing, and enhanced performance. Additionally, Endurance offers information security officers a secure and user-friendly remote desktop, complete protection of access and assets, and increased credential protection. Contact Cosmikal and safeguard what matters most to your organization, your assets.