What is Digital Risk Protection (DRP)?
The idiom “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is applicable across many domains, and cybersecurity is no exception. Proactively preventing cyberattacks before they happen is preferable to cleaning up damage after a security breach. Cyberattacks do not occur in a vacuum. There are always clues and indicators of planned attacks if you know where to look. Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) monitoring uses data from multiple sources to build a snapshot of the threat landscape. This can identify emerging threats against organizations and allow mitigation before attacks occur.
Cybercriminals leave traces on the public and dark web as they discuss and trade security information, such as spoof domain registrations and stolen login credentials. Digital Risk Protection (DRP) uses insights from CTI to proactively protect organizations from cyberattacks – irrespective of the motives, attack vectors, or perpetrators. Security teams should use DRP strategies to prevent attacks instead of reactively responding to attacks after the fact.
What is Digital Risk Protection?
Digital Risk Protection (DRP) safeguards digital assets. As more business operations embrace digital practices, the threats and attack surfaces that can be exploited by cybercriminals increase. Each organization is unique, but DRP can use the insights derived from Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) monitoring to highlight actionable and specific protections for all.
DRP solutions are not merely a database of intelligence information. DRP platforms use intelligent algorithms plus multiple reconnaissance methods to find, track, and analyze threats in real time. Using both indicators of compromise (IOCs) and indicators of attack (IOAs) intelligence, a DRP solution can analyze risks and warn security teams of potential or imminent attacks.
The data handling and analysis capabilities of DRP systems prevent security teams from being overwhelmed by intelligence data and therefore overlooking a relevant threat. DRP solutions can feed into automated response solutions. They can continuously find, monitor, and mitigate risks that target an organization’s digital assets in real time.
The Four Quadrants of DRP
DRP requires a multifaceted approach. The four quadrants shown below combine to deliver effective DRP.
DRP Protection Use Cases
The threat landscape is changing all the time as new threat surfaces and attack vectors emerge. This can be overwhelming for security teams tasked with protecting digital assets. Effective DRP deployment can ease the burden and allow security teams to focus on essential business tasks. The following are some examples of how DRP built on comprehensive CTI can improve security and make life easier for IT professionals and C-level executives.
Phishing Detection - Phishing is the most common attack vector used by cybercriminals. Tracking phishing indicators, such as registered domains, MX record changes, and DNS reputation with DRP, can identify planned phishing scams and allow the takedown of impostor domains and sites.
VIP and Executive Protection - Spear phishing that targets real users within organizations is prevalent. DRP can identify spoofing plans and secure the digital assets belonging to VIPs, executives, and other personnel.
Vulnerability Prioritization - The volume of security data CTI and DRP collect and analyze is always increasing. DRP uses intelligent algorithms to automatically sift this data and prioritize alerts for security teams, focusing on the most imminent and pressing cyberattack issues.
Dark Web Visibility - Most malicious cyberattack planning and activity occur on the dark web. DRP solutions monitor all places where criminal activity is discussed and planned. This process is vital to identifying and mitigating threats.
Brand Protection - Brands are valuable. DRP monitors for domain spoofing and IP address spoofing by cybercriminals using your brand or close analogues. Taking down these illicit activities protects both your IT systems and your reputation.
Fraud Protection - DRP monitors for illegal financial and sensitive data auctions. Valuable data is sold on the dark web for use in phishing and other attacks. Monitoring for this activity is crucial.
Malicious Mobile App Identification - Mobile apps are essential to modern business. Cybercriminals are aware of this and have developed and deployed dummy mobile apps designed to mimic known apps to trick users into thinking they are authentic. Criminals then use them to steal data and personal info. DRP can monitor for and highlight these malicious mobile apps.
Automated Threat Mitigation - Rapid response to identified threats is imperative. Automating responses based on predefined criteria delivers better security for both users and data.
Leaked Credentials Monitoring - Stolen login and other access credentials are a valuable asset for cybercriminals. DRP solutions monitor the web for references to leaked credentials and alert security professionals upon discovery.
Sensitive Data Leakage Monitoring - Leaked data is also a valuable item for cybercriminals. DRP monitors for discussions about data breaches and will alert when any references to an organization’s data are found on the web or dark web.
Supply Chain Risk Protection - Most organizations have extensive physical and digital supply chains. DRP can monitor for references to the systems used by suppliers so that security is not breached via a supply partner you trust with access to your organization.