The realm of information technology is becoming increasingly complex, with forecasts indicating that global IT spending could surpass $5.61 trillion this year. As businesses expand their technological infrastructures, they face mounting challenges in effectively monitoring and managing these environments. This expansion often leads to substantial blind spots within organizations’ networks.
Cybersecurity experts describe these blind spots as “unknown unknowns”—devices that are neither tracked nor managed, yet can potentially gain access to vital corporate systems. The hidden nature of these security gaps poses some of the most significant risks, as they remain obscured from oversight, making it exceptionally challenging to safeguard against threats.
Believing that “what you don’t know can’t hurt you” is a perilous mindset. Cybercriminals deliberately target these vulnerabilities, taking advantage of the very gaps organizations mistakenly assume are secure.
The issues surrounding security visibility often arise not from a lack of effort but from inadequate tools or poor utilization of existing resources. Many security teams discover that they can identify an additional 15% to 30% of devices that were previously unnoticed, even when conducting regular manual audits.
This misperception of security stems from traditional tools that provide an incomplete picture. Common agent-based scanners and conventional security solutions often fail to deliver a comprehensive view, leading to a false sense of safety. A device that appears secure under the metrics of one tool may, in reality, lack essential protections when evaluated against data from other sources.
Compounding this challenge is the fragmented nature of IT environments. Disconnected teams and silos of information make it difficult to implement a unified security strategy. While individual teams may feel confident in their control over visible assets, the disjointed aspects of their data inhibit a holistic understanding of the security landscape. Without an effective way to correlate and analyze this information, organizations struggle to form a coherent view of their security posture.
Relying on outdated, manual processes further limits audits to infrequent evaluations. In the fast-evolving world of IT, audits can quickly become obsolete before their findings can be acted upon.
The risks associated with these visibility gaps manifest in various ways. For instance, employees frequently connect to corporate systems with unmanaged devices, a situation exacerbated by the rise of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies and flexible work arrangements. Many individuals access corporate data using personal laptops, which leaves organizations exposed because these devices remain beyond the oversight of IT departments.
Moreover, inactive or misconfigured assets might give the illusion of compliance while concealing vulnerabilities. Research indicates that around 10% of devices lack essential cybersecurity controls, with roughly 20% poorly configured. Alarmingly, some devices may still interact with corporate networks, even when audit reports suggest they are offline.
These unseen and unsecured devices are ripe targets for cybercriminals, creating pathways into corporate networks without triggering any alarms. A compromised personal machine not only opens doors to sensitive information but also serves as a conduit for attacks such as Account Takeover (ATO).
So, how can organizations effectively address these visibility challenges? The first step is to equip IT and security teams with the right tools, paired with training for proper usage. While many companies invest heavily in comprehensive security solutions, they often fail to leverage them fully or choose tools that do not align with their specific needs.
A shift in focus is necessary; it’s not just about how often assessments are conducted, but also about their depth and quality. Security teams must aim for a full understanding of their network and all connected devices, ensuring this information is current and accurate.
Implementing a Cyber Asset Attack Surface Management (CAASM) strategy can provide the level of visibility organizations need. This approach automates asset discovery, creating an up-to-date inventory based on actual network activity rather than outdated records.
With a complete asset inventory in hand, the next step is to evaluate the security stance of each device. This process includes confirming the presence of adequate security measures, verifying they are operational, and ensuring proper configurations. Relying on assumptions about these systems can lead to substantial pitfalls.
Additionally, continuous, real-time monitoring of all assets is essential. Automation plays a critical role here, as correlating data manually at scale is impractical. Automated tools can consistently cross-reference access logs with IT inventories, highlighting any discrepancies.
Beyond merely identifying devices, it’s crucial to track how they access applications. Security teams should have a comprehensive view of which devices interact with critical applications and data, allowing them to spot anomalies, such as attempts to access systems from unmanaged assets.
Establishing strong security frameworks like Cyber Essentials, ISO 27001, and NIST CSF is a foundational step toward enhancing visibility and addressing security needs. However, a notable cultural shift is required; organizations must adopt a proactive approach to discovering and securing unknown assets. The risks posed by even a single unmanaged device can culminate in a serious breach, making ongoing discovery a priority over infrequent audits.
Organizations often fail to recognize the extent of their IT blind spots, which could be mitigated with their existing resources. Lacking a thorough view limits informed security decision-making, much like locking a front door while leaving windows wide open and obscuring any visibility of them.
To delve deeper into effective IT asset management solutions, explore the latest offerings available on the market.
This viewpoint is part of Nova PlayPro’s Expert Insights series, featuring perspectives from notable figures in the tech field. The insights shared here reflect the author’s viewpoint and do not necessarily represent those of Nova PlayPro or Future plc. If you wish to share your insights, learn more here: Submit your story to Nova Play Pro.
