A recent survey by Trend Micro reveals that 73% of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) have experienced security breaches caused by IT assets that were either unknown or left unmanaged. This alarming statistic highlights a critical blind spot in cybersecurity strategies: the lack of visibility and control over expanding digital infrastructures.
The survey, which gathered insights from over 2,000 cybersecurity executives, indicates that nearly 90% of respondents acknowledge the direct impact of attack surface management on their company’s overall business risk. Despite this awareness, a substantial portion of organizations have not implemented proactive measures to mitigate these risks. Approximately 43% of companies employ specialized tools for proactive risk management of their attack surfaces, while 58% lack continuous monitoring processes essential for identifying and addressing vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
The consequences of unmanaged assets are far-reaching. Respondents expressed concerns over potential negative impacts on various aspects of their organizations, including business continuity (42%), competitiveness (41%), customer trust (40%), supplier relationships (39%), employee productivity (38%), and financial performance (37%).
Experts emphasize the importance of comprehensive asset discovery and continuous monitoring to effectively manage attack surfaces. Implementing robust attack surface management solutions can enhance visibility, prioritize risks, and facilitate timely remediation efforts, thereby strengthening an organization’s cybersecurity posture.
As the complexity of IT infrastructures continues to grow, organizations must prioritize comprehensive asset management and proactive risk mitigation strategies to safeguard against emerging cyber threats. At Otonata, we believe visibility is the first step to resilience, helping you stay ahead of evolving risks with real-time asset intelligence.