Security News > 2023 > April > Outdated cybersecurity practices leave door open for criminals

As organizations increasingly find themselves under attack, the data discovered they are drowning in cybersecurity debt - unaddressed security vulnerabilities like unpatched software, unmanaged devices, shadow IT, and insecure network protocols that act as access points for bad actors.

Outdated cybersecurity practices plague organizations.

77% of IT decision makers say outdated cybersecurity practices have contributed to at least half of the cybersecurity incidents their organizations have experienced.

Despite these concerning figures, fewer than one-third said they have immediate plans to address any of the outdated security practices that put their organizations at risk.

"As organizations find themselves overburdened by staffing shortages and shrinking budgets, it's no surprise that IT and security teams have deprioritized some of the basic cybersecurity necessities that may seem a bit more mundane or expendable," said Mark Bowling, Chief Risk, Security and Information Security Officer, ExtraHop.

"The probability of a ransomware attack is inversely proportional to the amount of unmitigated surface attack area, which is one example of cybersecurity debt. The liabilities and, ultimately, financial damages that result from this deprioritization compound cybersecurity debt and open organizations up to even more risk. Greater visibility into the network with an NDR solution can help reveal the cyber truth and shine a light on the most pressing vulnerabilities, so they can better take control of their cybersecurity debt," concluded Bowling.

News URL

https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2023/04/20/outdated-cybersecurity-practices/