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Deception technology helps organizations to detect threats early by using deceptive tactics to trick attackers. It is a vital tool in cybersecurity, and it plays a significant role in MaxxMDR’s enhanced defense services.
Understanding Deception Technology
Deception technology helps to alert organizations of threats and malicious behavior. It also provides the context they need to respond effectively, such as the time and location of the attack. It also misleads and slows down attackers, and diverts their attention away from critical assets.
One of the key ways that security experts deceive attackers is by using file-based deception tokens. These are fake files planted in a system that appear valuable and blend in with other files. When attackers access these files, it alerts the security team, who can take swift action. This is an example of one of the tactics CyberMaxx uses as part of its MaxxMDR service.
How Deception Technology Works
Deception technology fills your organization’s network with fake assets designed to find attackers on your network and improve network security.
File-based deception tokens can resemble valuable financial data or human resources records that attackers may want to access. Once an attacker attempts to access one of these assets, the system notifies the organization’s IT team. This method has a low false positive rate, and it also provides information about what kind of information attackers want.
Deploying and managing deception tokens in a network requires strategic planning. Before deployment, it’s important to conduct a thorough risk assessment to identify critical assets. It’s also vital that file-based tokens are placed in strategic positions so they blend with real assets. This can help to promote early detection.
Once security teams have deployed deception tokens, they should monitor them continuously. In some cases, they can use automated systems to update detection tokens periodically. This ensures they remain undetected by attackers. It also means they can adjust the placement of the tokens according to attacker behavior.
Benefits of Deception Technology
Some of the key benefits of deception technology include:
- Early detection of threats. Deception technology helps to identify unauthorized access and suspicious activities. It alerts security teams of potential threats as soon as an attacker attempts to access a file. This means they can take immediate action.
- Misdirection of attackers. Deception technology helps to divert attackers away from valuable assets. This means that if an attacker does gain access to your system, they’re less likely to access critical data.
- Reducing dwell time. Deception technology minimizes the duration of time that attackers remain undetected on the network. It allows security professionals to act swiftly to combat attackers before they cause too much damage within your organization.
- Enhancing overall network security. Deception provides organizations with data about which file-based deception tokens attackers have interacted with. This reveals information about evolving attack methods and trends. It also helps organizations to profile attackers and gather more information about their objectives. Security teams can then use this information to further enhance network security.
Integration of Deception Technology in MaxxMDR
While deception technology is an essential part of a robust cybersecurity strategy, it is not enough on its own. MaxxMDR incorporates file-based deception tokens in coordination with other security measures. This helps to form a well-rounded, long-term defensive strategy.
For instance, using advanced monitoring tools in conjunction with deception tokens provides threat responders with detailed insights into the attackers’ motivation. Security teams can use these insights to turn attackers’ own techniques against them as part of the threat response.
In addition, MaxxMDR performs continuous threat exposure management (CTEM). This involves keeping an up-to-date view of your attack surface through external vulnerability scanning. It also involves searching the dark web and public domain for information about your organization’s IT infrastructure. If this information is out in the open, there’s a higher chance that attackers may take advantage of it.
Proactive Cybersecurity Strategy with Deception Technology
Deception technology plays an important role in helping organizations to develop a proactive security posture. It can help to identify advanced threats, including zero-day exploits that take advantage of unknown security flaws, and insider threats. Between 2021 and 2023, insider threats increased by 47%. This shows that a proactive security posture has become more important than ever as a part of continuous monitoring and adaptation to evolving threats.
Security teams can also collaborate and share the findings that they have gathered from deception technology. This can help to stay abreast of cybersecurity trends as they change and identify upcoming threats.
As technology continues to evolve further, deception technology is evolving with it. For instance, new developments in artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms are helping organizations predict future attacks before they occur. This helps them adjust their strategies accordingly.
Behavioral deception is also becoming more advanced, and systems are getting better at adapting their responses based on the behavior of attackers. This makes it harder for attackers to infiltrate systems. It also increases the barriers they face when trying to access sensitive information.
Using Deception Technology for Proactive Cybersecurity
Adopting file-based deception tokens within your organization is a vital part of a proactive cybersecurity strategy.
It can help you detect threats early, misdirect attackers, reduce dwell time, and enhance your overall network security. This bolsters your defenses and protects your organization against cyberattacks.