The expansion of attack surfaces is one of the key trends and challenges shaping cybersecurity in 2025. This transformation is driven by three main factors: the proliferation of connected devices (IoT), the adoption of BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policies, and the decentralization of IT infrastructures in hybrid and multi-cloud environments. Each of these factors introduces new vulnerabilities and requires specific mitigation strategies.
1. The Complexity of IoT Devices
The connectivity of IoT devices continues to grow exponentially, but their security has not kept up at the same pace. Many devices operate with embedded systems that were not designed to handle modern attack scenarios, leading to:
- Lack of Regular Updates: The absence of automatic update support leaves devices vulnerable to known exploits.
- Insecure Protocols: Many IoT devices use outdated or proprietary protocols that lack strong authentication or proper encryption.
- Lack of Standardization: Devices from different manufacturers do not follow consistent security guidelines, making it challenging to enforce unified policies.
Recommended Measures:
- Implement Network Segmentation: Create VLANs or specific subnets for IoT devices to reduce the risk of lateral movement.
- Anomaly Monitoring: Deploy continuous monitoring tools to detect unusual behaviors in IoT devices.
- Centralized Inventory: Use asset management solutions to maintain real-time visibility over all connected devices.
2. BYOD and the Intersection of Personal and Corporate Use
The adoption of the anywhere office model, where employees can work from anywhere, further distributes access structures and complicates the enforcement of controls on personal devices. Combined with hybrid work models, this reality significantly increases the number of unmanaged endpoints connected to corporate networks. These devices often:
- Use of Unsafe Networks: Employees access corporate resources from home or public networks, increasing the risk of Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attacks, where a malicious actor intercepts and potentially manipulates communication between two parties without their knowledge.
- Lack of Policy Controls: Personal devices may not comply with corporate security guidelines, such as antivirus requirements or Multi-factor Authentication (MFA).
- Store Corporate Data Without Proper Control: The lack of data segregation allows sensitive information to be stored on devices without adequate encryption.
Recommended Measures:
- Zero Trust: Adopt a Zero Trust architecture, restricting access based on context and continuously authenticating devices and users.
- Mobile Device Management (MDM): Utilize mobile device management solutions to enforce security policies and enable remote control over corporate data.
- Segmented VPN: Provide remote access only to specific resources, minimizing exposure to critical data.
3. Hybrid and Multi-Cloud Infrastructures
The decentralization of operations and extensive use of multi-cloud environments have created operational complexities that impact cybersecurity. Organizations struggle to maintain visibility and control over:
- API Keys and Cloud Credentials: Misconfigurations or exposed credentials in public repositories are a common attack vector.
- Exposure of External Assets: External Attack Surface Management (EASM) tools frequently detect unknown or outdated assets connected to the infrastructure.
- Misconfigurations: Incorrect configurations remain a significant factor in increasing vulnerabilities in multi-cloud environments.
Recommended Measures:
- Identity and Access Management (IAM): Implement robust policies that include multi-factor authentication for all users and services.
- Continuous Monitoring: Deploy EASM solutions to map and prioritize exposed assets in real time.
- Compliance Automation: Use tools that continuously validate cloud configurations against recognized security benchmarks, such as CIS Benchmarks.
Strategic Impacts and Preparation
The expansion of attack surfaces is not just a technical challenge—but also a strategic one. It requires CISOs to adopt a holistic approach that encompasses:
- Ongoing Education: Train internal teams to recognize and mitigate threats associated with IoT devices and BYOD practices.
- Interdepartmental Collaboration: Ensure security policies are integrated across all business areas, from operations to development.
- Investments in Threat Intelligence: Leverage contextual threat intelligence to anticipate adversarial movements and prioritize preventive actions.
How CTI Supports Attack Surface Expansion Mitigation
Axur’s Cyber Threat Intelligence + Attack Surface Management (EASM) plays a crucial role in identifying and mitigating risks associated with attack surface expansion. By continuously monitoring the exposure of external assets and mapping vulnerabilities, CTI enables companies to respond to threats and prioritize actions effectively. Solutions that integrate CTI with EASM, like those offered by Axur, combine automated intelligence with actionable insights. This ensures visibility into critical attack surfaces and provides the necessary tools to protect operations in an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Explore More in the Threat Landscape 2024/25 Report
Axur’s Threat Landscape 2024/25 report is now available, offering in-depth insights into these and other trends. Download the full report for free to better understand next year’s challenges and opportunities. If you are currently facing cybersecurity threats, count on Axur to help protect your company. Schedule a meeting with our experts and discover how we can strengthen your digital security.