RESOURCES
Managing Cyber Risk with CTEM and Beyond
The great philosopher Hegel famously said "truth is the whole." This means that to truly understand something, we must see it in relation to everything it connects to—its history, relationships, contradictions, and place within the larger system. This dialectic applies perfectly to cybersecurity. Every vulnerability, indicator of compromise, indicator of a possible attack preparation, digital asset, prevention or detection gap and their possible connections with each other have some degree of weight in the whole, or in the truth. But how do we define that "truth" in such a complex digital and threat environment? Where do we start from, and how do we proceed?
Defining imminent and overall cyber risk an organisation carries is not a simple task, but Gartner's Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) concept provides a solid framework for this purpose. CTEM is a systematic and cyclical approach to identifying, prioritising, and continuously validating an organisation's exposure to cyber threats across the expanding attack surface. It goes beyond traditional vulnerability management by incorporating external threat intelligence, attack surface monitoring, and validation of security controls - creating a holistic view where each element relates to and influences the "whole". CTEM helps organisations understand their true security posture by considering:
- The complete attack surface across on-premises, cloud, and third-party environments
- Active threats and adversary tactics targeting the organisation
- Effectiveness of existing security controls and gaps in defence
- Business context and potential impact of exposures
Applying a CTEM framework-based programme enables organisations to make more informed decisions about risk mitigation and resource allocation, ensuring that security efforts are focused on the most critical exposures that pose actual risk to the business.
Challenges in Operationalising a CTEM-Based Exposure Management Programme
Whilst CTEM provides a robust framework, implementing an effective exposure management programme presents several key challenges. Firstly, it demands the integration of multiple specialised technologies working in harmony. Orchestrating these CTEM components requires careful planning and expertise—success depends on having skilled cybersecurity professionals who can implement, maintain, and optimise these systems. Secondly, organisations must continuously reassess and adjust priorities as cyber risks evolve for each digital asset. Thirdly, modern attack surfaces such as SaaS Security and Shadow brings additional threats that require sophisticated cloud access controls and monitoring systems.
Another important consideration is how CTEM integrates with broader cybersecurity efforts and operations. Security investments across SOC, MDR, and SecOps functions must strategically align with CTEM framework insights. Organizations should avoid allocating cybersecurity resources to attack surfaces that pose minimal risk, while concentrating investments on areas where concrete threats and vulnerabilities have been identified. This risk-based approach ensures optimal use of security budgets and maximises the effectiveness of defensive measures.
Finally, there is the financial burden of implementing a CTEM based exposure management program. Capital expenditure on each technology poses a significant challenge, especially for SMEs, often making investment unaffordable.
Cynode Ultima: End-to-End Managed Threat Exposure Management
To address these challenges, we proudly present the Ultima Threat Exposure Management Platform. Building on the CTEM framework while extending its coverage, Ultima leverages advanced components including comprehensive threat intelligence, dark web monitoring, attack surface management, vulnerability prioritisation, prevention validation, log & detection validation, security awareness training, and SaaS security and Shadow IT monitoring.
Cynode Ultima goes beyond simply including these solutions - it integrates them with sophisticated playbooks to maximize their effectiveness. Through our security analytics engine, even subtle indicators that might seem insignificant in isolation can reveal critical patterns of malicious activity when viewed holistically. Our clients enjoy the full power of Ultima without requiring substantial capital expenditure, while continuously strengthening their security posture.
Learn more about Cynode Ultima by contacting us at https://cynode.com/get-in-touch
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The Persistent Threat of Business Email Compromise
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The Risks of Increasing SaaS Use
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Interview with Senior Cyber Advisor Per-Olov Kask
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Regular EDR Policy Tuning
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Mastering Log Management: Enhancing SIEM and SOC Efficacy
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Understanding WebApp Exposure
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Improving SIEM Efficacy as the Market Evolves
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Hacking and Cyber Warfare Go Hand in Hand
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