“Continuous threat exposure management is the new phrase for what we used to call vulnerability management programs," said J.J. Guy, CEO and Co-Founder of Sevco Security.

In this episode of The Security Strategist podcast, Richard Stiennon, Founder and Chief Analyst at IT-Harvest speaks with Guy about the evolution of vulnerability management into Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM). 

Guy stresses that traditional vulnerability management falls short in modern environments, which is why there's a critical shift towards CTEM. This isn't just a rebranding, it's a fundamental change in approach. As attack surfaces expand, so do the types of exposures organisations need to address. A fragmented approach to vulnerabilities leaves organisations overwhelmed.

"We've all told all auditors we've got it under control and we've all pointed to the CMDB as the tool to accommodate that control. But at the same time, we've known that the CMDB is wildly inaccurate," Guy voiced, spotlighting the need for a better system.

CTEM programs offer a structured framework, integrating the interconnectedness between vulnerabilities and devices, users, threats in the wild, and the business impact of a breach to drive more effective prioritisation, mitigation, and remediation of vulnerabilities in increasingly complex environments. As Guy says, welcome to Vulnerability Management Programs 2.0.

This is just a taste of what was discussed on the podcast. Watch the podcast for deeper insights and unconventional notions for businesses to succeed in today’s rapidly involving cybersecurity sphere.

Takeaways

• Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) is the evolution of vulnerability management.
• CTEM is seen as vulnerability management 2.0, adapting to the changing landscape of cybersecurity.
• A strong asset inventory is foundational for effective CTEM.
• Organisations often face challenges in managing multiple vulnerability assessment tools.
• The importance of real-time, live operational views of assets cannot be overstated.
• Threat intelligence plays a critical role in prioritizing vulnerabilities.
• Data aggregation from multiple sources is essential for a complete inventory.
• The industry needs to move away from compliance-oriented activities to operational ones.
• Emerging trends indicate a consolidation of tools and deeper integrations in cybersecurity.
• Better data leads to better decisions and outcomes for organisations.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Continuous Threat Exposure Management

02:52 The Evolution of Vulnerability Management

05:52 The Importance of Asset Inventory

08:54 Challenges in Vulnerability Management

11:50 Characteristics of a Strong Security Inventory

15:01 Emerging Trends in Exposure Management

17:57 Key Takeaways for CISOs