Designing attacker-informed defense
Our journey so far has led us into the attacker’s playbook. Whether dealing with opportunistic script kiddies exploiting a widespread software flaw (such as Log4j) or a targeted state-sponsored group carefully infiltrating a defense contractor, we’ve learned that analyzing adversaries isn’t about getting inside their heads – it’s about exposing their tactics. We learned the hard way that assuming that “good-enough” security equates to real protection is a disastrous fallacy.
The zero trust framework we’ve explored marked a critical shift toward continuous evaluation. Attackers don’t take breaks, and neither can our defenses. However, zero trust alone isn’t enough. Building robust micro-segments and enforcing strict authentication is no replacement for understanding how a determined attacker exploits the cracks left behind, even in well-structured networks.
Now, it’...
