What are the best security controls for advanced persistent threats?

Advanced persistent threats come from skilled attackers possessing advanced hacking tools, and sophisticated techniques. These attackers will pursue a number of different types of attacks at the same time to gain a semi-permanent foothold in an organization. To prevent APT attacks, begin with the basics: 1) Strong Access Control for Users 2) Maintain effective endpoint security 3) Enable effective log files for systems, devices, and applications 4) Keep systems and software patched, updated, and in good repair 5) Implement network access control (NAC) solutions to actively block insecure devices 6) Use advanced firewall solutions with packet and application inspecting capabilities

Harden you AD and no legacy stuff in your environment. Restrict powershell use to confined, sysmon and monitor user accounts ofd behavior. Assuming that you already have best practice hardening, config, and security controls in place and monitor like your life depends on it.

Much like how an army prepares for battle by identifying strategic positions and key resources, a comprehensive asset inventory within an organization serves as the foundation for an effective defense against Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs). Understanding the landscape of critical assets, their value, and their vulnerabilities allows security teams to prioritize protection measures. Just as troops fortify crucial locations in anticipation of an attack, knowing what systems, data, or networks are most critical enables resource allocation and targeted security strategies, minimizing vulnerabilities and bolstering defenses against potential APTs, ensuring focused and robust protection where it's most essential.

The need for defense in depth is key for any environment to can establish a checklist of controls to be put in place. For all layers of security it all starts with correct policies. Then hardening the endpoints with a proper Anti-malware solution. Then have proper monitoring of the endpoints with solutions like EDR, XDR and mostly well configured Firewalls. This also includes IDS/IPS systems which will monitor and action any anomalies. The SIEM then is needed as a control for the whole holistic view of activities over the network. The most important solution then after is a DLP solution which will then help in encrypting all data and ensuring no data gets exfiltrated or accessed on the network without authorisation.

Identifying and prioritizing assets is crucial for safeguarding against APTs. Organizations must classify their most valuable assets based on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. This allows for effective resource allocation and security implementation. Just like an army identifies key positions, an organization's asset inventory forms the foundation for defense against APTs. Understanding critical assets enables prioritization of protection measures, minimizing vulnerabilities. Clear understanding of the organization's architecture is also important for continuous assessment and identification of vital elements.

A defesa em profundidade é importante para mitigação de riscos e exposição em casos de falha de um único modelo de defesa. Considerando o dado/informação como a maior riqueza nesse sentido, garantir que existam várias camadas até chegar a esse dado/informação é essencial para atrasar a execução de atacantes.

Defence in depth is a comprehensive security strategy that involves deploying multiple layers of defence mechanisms to protect an organization's IT infrastructure and data. This approach is particularly effective in mitigating advanced persistent threats (APTs), which are sophisticated and prolonged cyberattacks often orchestrated by well-funded and organized threat actors. By integrating these defense-in-depth measures, organisations can significantly enhance their resilience against advanced persistent threats. A layered approach ensures that even if one layer is breached, other security measures are in place to detect, prevent, and mitigate the impact of APTs.

In my experience, implementing network segmentation to compartmentalize sensitive information will limit lateral movement within the network. Furthermore, the use of next-generation firewalls and IPS to monitor and control network traffic coupled with identifying and blocking malicious activities with application whitelisting on endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions is highly recommended.

Defense in depth is incredibly important in all aspects of cybersecurity. You want to deploy a series of technical controls, not parallel ones. This assumes that a bad actor will get past 1 or 2 controls but you will hopefully be able to minimize the damage by eventually stopping them.

Defense in depth can include layered security like Security Management, Physical security, Network security, Hardware security and Software security. Using EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) and XDR (Extended Detection and Response) tools is also an important strategy for defending against APT attacks because it enables organizations to detect and respond to these threats in real time.

É um trabalho essencial e muitas vezes não visto. O trabalho de ZeroTrust faz parte do conceito de menor privilégio. Movimentações e uma correta gestão de acessos é um dos pilares mais importantes para garantir que atacantes não possam explorar, pivotear ou exfiltrar dados maliciosos.

Le principe de moindre privilège consiste à utiliser des comptes utilisateurs permettant d'accéder uniquement à la ressource nécessaire pour le contexte métier. Il est souvent difficile de prévoir tous les scénarios d'utilisation surtout en cas d'urgence. Ainsi la suppression des droits administrateurs globaux peut s’accompagner de la création d'un compte SuperAdmin "brise glace" permettant de definir une procédure pour reprendre le contrôle d'un système.

Leveraging Cyber Threat Intelligence feeds will help security organizations stay informed about the latest tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) of several APTs. This will inform security teams of associated vulnerabilities that can be potentially exploited. Ensuring regular patching of all systems and software within the infrastructure will address the listed vulnerabilities.

Implementing regular or periodic patching to ensure vulnerabilities are efficiently managed/mitigated is the best way to keep APT at bay. Organization must periodically patch all infrastructure components as well as critical systems and replicate patches to DR environment. Moreover there must be a well-defined and well-planned malicious code protection mechanism which facilitates in prevention of harmful code i.e anti-Virus, anti-Malware solutions having automatic updates and Logging enabled, frequency of scan (Daily/Weekly) defined basis criticality.

La gestion des vulnérabilités et les mises à jours de tous les composants d'un système d'information sont la clé d'une limitation des risques liées aux vulnérabilités connues. Des logiciels dédiés permettent le suivi de l'application des mises à jours de sécurité afin de prioriser les risques en fonctionne de plusieurs critères (CVSS/EPSS) et le contexte métier.

Updating and patching systems are essential for several reasons. Firstly, they help fix known vulnerabilities in software, reducing the risk of cyber attacks and unauthorized access by hackers. Secondly, updates often include performance improvements and new features that enhance the system's functionality and efficiency. In summary , staying updated ensures compatibility with the latest technology and helps maintain the overall stability and security of the system.whereby helping out in the reduction and removal of advance persistent threats.

Para fortalecer la seguridad, el cuarto paso implica mantener sistemas actualizados y aplicar parches para corregir vulnerabilidades. Este proceso protege contra APTs al cerrar posibles brechas que los atacantes podrían explotar. La actualización y parcheo pueden ser automatizados, programados o realizados manualmente según la urgencia de las correcciones.

Organizations must have comprehensive and ongoing cybersecurity training programs. Training should cover not just the fundamentals of cybersecurity, like being able to spot phishing emails, but also delve into more targeted situations involving APTs. It's important for employees to be aware of the subtle signs of a breach or unusual network activity that could indicate the presence of an APT. Regularly simulating cyber attacks can also really help in keeping staff alert and prepared. In addition, it's important to regularly update this training to keep up with the ever-changing landscape of cyber threats. When employees embrace cybersecurity awareness, they play a crucial role in protecting the organization.

Entrenar a los empleados en ciberseguridad es esencial para prevenir amenazas internas, proteger datos, evitar ataques de ingeniería social, cumplir normativas, crear una cultura de seguridad y optimizar respuestas a incidentes. Fortalece la seguridad y promueve una mentalidad proactiva frente a las amenazas cibernéticas.

Best practices to stop an Advanced Persistent Threat before it start- Network and host hardening to reduce exposure of resources to threats. Vulnerability management to reduce security weaknesses in services that are exposed. Network and application-level firewalls to stop unwanted traffic from coming in. Strong access control to prevent impersonation and spoofing. Endpoint security to prevent compromised end-user devices from becoming entry points for attackers.

✴Deploy Advanced Security Controls: Implement firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and endpoint protection. ✴Utilize Access Controls: Employ access controls to limit attack surfaces and control access. ✴Multi-factor Authentication: Incorporate multi-factor authentication to add an additional layer of security. ✴Network Segmentation: Segment your network to contain potential breaches and limit lateral movement. ✴Regular Monitoring and Logging: Monitor and log all activities in your network to facilitate early detection of any suspicious activities. ✴Regular Updates and Patching: Ensure all systems and software are kept up-to-date. ✴Security Awareness Training: Provide employees with training about the risks of APTs.

1. Network Segmentation: Isolate critical systems and data, restrict attacker movement. 2. Endpoint Protection: Strong antivirus, anti-malware, and advanced EDR tools. 3. User Training: Educate on phishing, social engineering, strong passwords, MFA. 4. Patch Management 5. IDPS: Detect and block suspicious activities, use behavior-based analytics. 6. Data Encryption 7. Develop and update plan, conduct drills for effective response. 8. Network and Cloud Security 9. Centralize and analyze log data, detect and respond to threats. 10. Monitor network traffic, system activities, detect and respond to APTs in real-time. 11. Share information with security communities, stay updated on APT tactics. 12. Conduct periodic audits and assessments.