Have you ever held the door for someone only to realize later you should have let it slam in their face? Metaphorically speaking, of course. Cybercriminals exploit “open doors” as the entry point for their
attacks and countless companies are keeping the doors WIDE OPEN. “People who have no weaknesses are terrible; there is no way of taking advantage of them.” -Anatole France

It is essential for every executive to recognize and remediate the following “doors” cybercriminals utilize:

• Weak Passwords: Weak or easily guessable passwords are one of the most common “open
  doors” for attackers. This includes passwords that are too short, use dictionary words, or lack
  complexity (e.g., no combination of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special
  characters). Attackers may use brute-force attacks, dictionary attacks, or password spraying
  techniques to guess or crack weak passwords and gain access to user accounts.
• Unpatched Software: Unpatched or outdated software contains known vulnerabilities that
  attackers can exploit to compromise systems. When software vendors release security patches to
  fix these vulnerabilities, organizations need to promptly apply these patches to their systems.
  Failure to do so leaves systems susceptible to exploitation by attackers who actively scan for
  unpatched software to target.
• Social Engineering Tactics: Social engineering tactics exploit human psychology to manipulate
  individuals into divulging sensitive information or performing actions that compromise security.
  This could involve phishing emails that trick users into clicking malicious links or downloading
  malware, pretexting calls where attackers impersonate legitimate individuals to extract
  information, or baiting schemes that entice users to reveal passwords or other credentials in
  exchange for a perceived benefit.
• Misconfigured Security Settings: Misconfigured security settings, such as improperly
  configured firewalls, access controls, or permissions, create openings that attackers can exploit to
  gain unauthorized access to systems or data. This could include leaving unnecessary ports open,
  granting excessive privileges to users or applications, or failing to restrict access to sensitive
  resources.
• Third-Party Services and Supply Chain Weaknesses: Attackers may target third-party services
  or vendors that have access to an organization’s systems or data. Weaknesses in these third-party
  services or supply chain partners can serve as entry points for attackers to infiltrate the target
  organization’s network. This could involve exploiting vulnerabilities in software or systems used
  by third parties, compromising credentials, or intercepting communications between the
  organization and its vendors.
• Physical Security Lapses: Physical security lapses, such as unauthorized access to facilities,
  unsecured devices, or improperly disposed-of documents containing sensitive information, can
  also serve as entry points for attackers. Physical access to computers, servers, or networking
  equipment can allow attackers to bypass security measures and directly compromise systems or
  data. Addressing these common entry points requires a multi-faceted approach, including implementing strong password policies, regularly updating and patching software, providing security awareness training to educate users about social engineering tactics, configuring security settings properly, vetting and monitoring third-party services and vendors, and implementing robust physical security measures.

Addressing these common entry points requires a multi-faceted approach, including implementing strong password policies, regularly updating and patching software, providing security awareness training to educate users about social engineering tactics, configuring security settings properly, vetting and monitoring third-party services and vendors, and implementing robust physical security measures.

By addressing these entry points, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access
and data breaches. Failing to lock down these doors can have disastrous and embarrassing consequences. Just ask the U.S. Department of the Interior.

UP NEXT: Case Study – P@s$w0rds at the U.S. Department of the Interior

Sources:
https://www.kaseya.com/blog/attack-vectors