NIST Meets CTEM: A New Approach to Web Security

The US’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) introduced the Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) in 2014, a set of voluntary guidelines to help those managing critical infrastructure sectors to assess their resilience against cyberattacks. Since the framework was updated so it could be applied to any industry, it’s been adopted internationally and translated into several languages. Organizations now use it to benchmark their cybersecurity standards and align their practices with recognized global standards, such as ISO/IEC 27001 and COBIT. 

Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) is a term Gartner coined in 2022. It isn’t a tool or technology. Instead, it is a five-step approach to cybersecurity that focuses on continuously identifying, assessing, prioritizing, and mitigating threats to an organization’s digital assets and infrastructure. Where traditional security measures may be reactive or happen periodically, CTEM emphasizes ongoing vigilance and adaptability in the face of evolving threats. 

In this article, we look at how combining the two approaches gives organizations a formidable defense against a wide array of cyberattacks for maximum security and resilience. We’ll examine each framework’s core components, discuss their strengths, and then illustrate how their combined application creates a comprehensive and adaptive security strategy.

NIST CSF: A Comprehensive Roadmap for Security

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework is a cornerstone of cybersecurity best practices. Developed through collaboration between government and private sector experts, this voluntary, non-prescriptive framework provides organizations with a structured approach to managing cybersecurity risk. The NIST CSF is built around five key functions: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, Recover, and Govern.

Let’s explore each of them and examine how they contribute to strengthening web security:

Identify

The first step in any effective security strategy is to gain a comprehensive understanding of your digital assets and the risks they face. In the context of web security, this involves:

• Conducting a thorough inventory of all web-based assets, including websites, web applications, APIs, and associated databases.
• Identifying critical data flows and storage locations within your web infrastructure.
• Assessing the potential impact of a breach or disruption to these assets on your business operations.
• Mapping out dependencies between various web components and third-party services.
• Recognizing regulatory requirements and industry standards applicable to your web presence.

By establishing this foundational knowledge, organizations can make informed decisions about resource allocation and prioritize their security efforts. Reflectiz ticks all these boxes by mapping all connected web assets and monitoring them for signs of unauthorized behavior.

Protect

With a clear understanding of your web assets and associated risks, the next step is to implement safeguards to mitigate identified vulnerabilities. Protection measures for web security may include:

• Implementing strong access controls and authentication mechanisms for web applications and administrative interfaces.
• Employing encryption for data in transit (HTTPS) and at rest.
• Regularly patching and updating web servers, content management systems, and other web-related software.
• Utilizing web application firewalls (WAF) to filter malicious traffic.
• Implementing secure coding practices and conducting regular code reviews.Educating employees on web security best practices, including password hygiene and phishing awareness.

These protective measures form the first line of defense against potential cyber threats, and they will significantly reduce your web attack surface.

Detect

Even with robust protective measures in place, you still need mechanisms for quickly identifying potential security incidents. Detection capabilities for web security should include the following:

• Intrusion detection systems (IDS) to monitor network traffic for suspicious activity.
• Using log management, along with security information and event management (SIEM) tools, to analyze web server and application logs.
• Employing file integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized changes to web content or server configurations.
• Conducting regular vulnerability scans and penetration tests to identify potential weaknesses.
• Monitoring user behavior analytics to detect anomalous activities that may indicate a compromised account.

Effective detection mechanisms enable organizations to respond swiftly to potential threats before they can cause significant damage.

Respond

When a security incident is detected, having a well-defined response plan is crucial. The Respond function of NIST CSF for web security involves:

• Developing and regularly testing an incident response plan specific to web-related security events.
• Establishing clear roles and responsibilities for the incident response team.
• Implementing procedures for containing and mitigating the impact of a security breach.
• Creating communication protocols for notifying stakeholders, including customers and regulatory bodies, if necessary.
• Preserving evidence for forensic analysis and potential legal proceedings.

A well-executed response can significantly limit the damage caused by a security incident and, importantly, help maintain stakeholder trust.

Recover

This CSF function is about resuming normal operations after a security incident. For web security, recovery processes should include:

• Implementing and regularly testing backup and restoration procedures for web assets and data.
• Conducting post-incident reviews to identify lessons learned and areas for improvement.
• Updating security controls and procedures based on insights gained from the incident.
• Reestablishing trust with users and stakeholders through transparent communication about the incident and remediation efforts.
• Monitoring for any lingering effects or potential reoccurrence of the security issue.

A robust recovery process ensures that your organization can bounce back quickly from security incidents and emerge stronger and more resilient.

Govern

When NIST updated the framework to version 2.0, it not only extended the applicability of CSF to organizations in other industries, it also added a governance section. It involves:

• Ensuring that cybersecurity strategies align with the organization’s overall goals and objectives, promoting a comprehensive approach to risk management.
• Clearly defining roles, responsibilities, and accountability for cybersecurity at all levels of the organization, from executive leadership to operational teams.
• Developing and maintaining policies and procedures that guide cybersecurity practices, ensuring consistency and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Integration of risk management into the governance framework.
• Collaborating and communicating with stakeholders, including IT, security teams, business units, and external partners, to foster a culture of cybersecurity awareness and collective responsibility.
• Having mechanisms for continuous assessment and improvement.

Continuous Threat Vigilance with CTEM

While the NIST CSF provides a comprehensive framework for managing cybersecurity risk, CTEM focuses on ongoing threat monitoring and mitigation. It’s a framework designed to give organizations real-time visibility into their security posture and emerging threats, and it has five stages:

1. Scoping

This initial stage involves defining the scope of the CTEM program. It includes identifying the assets, systems, and processes that need protection, as well as understanding the threat landscape and regulatory requirements.

2. Discovery

In this stage, organizations gather information about their current security posture. This includes identifying vulnerabilities, assessing the effectiveness of existing controls, and understanding potential attack vectors (something that Reflectiz can help with).

3. Prioritization

Once vulnerabilities and threats are identified, they are prioritized based on their potential impact and likelihood of exploitation. This helps in focusing resources on the most critical issues first.

4. Mitigation

This stage involves implementing measures to address the identified vulnerabilities and threats. This can include applying patches, configuring security settings, and deploying additional security controls.

5. Validation

The final stage involves verifying that the mitigation efforts have been effective. This includes conducting tests and assessments to ensure that vulnerabilities have been properly addressed and the security posture has improved.

Proactive Threat Intelligence

In contrast to reactive approaches, CTEM emphasizes the importance of staying ahead of potential threats. Your organization can fulfill its objectives by:

• Subscribing to threat intelligence feeds relevant to your industry and technology stack.
• Participating in information-sharing communities to gain insights from peer organizations.
• Analyzing threat trends and attack patterns to anticipate potential risks to your web presence.
• Incorporating threat intelligence into security decision-making processes.

Vulnerability Management

A core aspect of CTEM is the continuous identification and remediation of vulnerabilities. You can achieve this by:

• Implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools like Reflectiz to regularly assess your web infrastructure.
• Prioritizing vulnerabilities based on their potential impact and likelihood of exploitation.
• Establishing processes for rapid patching and mitigation of identified vulnerabilities.
• Conducting regular penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities that automated scans might miss.

Deeper Threat Analysis

CTEM also encourages you to go beyond simple vulnerability identification to gain a more nuanced understanding of potential threats by:

• Conducting threat modeling exercises to identify potential attack vectors and their impact.
• Analyzing the potential for chained exploits that could lead to more severe compromises.
• Assessing the effectiveness of existing security controls against emerging threats.
• Simulating advanced persistent threats (APTs) to test your organization’s detection and response capabilities.

Continuous Monitoring

CTEM emphasizes the need for ongoing vigilance through:

• Implementing real-time monitoring of web traffic patterns and user behaviors.
• Utilizing machine learning and artificial intelligence to detect anomalies that may indicate a security threat.
• Monitoring for indicators of compromise (IoCs) across your web infrastructure.
• Establishing automated alerts for potential security events requiring human investigation.

The Synergy of NIST CSF and CTEM

NIST CSF and CTEM are powerful frameworks, but just like Oreos and Milk, their true potential is realized when they are combined. The result is a comprehensive and adaptive web security strategy that’s greater than the sum of its parts.

Here’s how NIST CSF and CTEM complement each other:

Risk-Based Prioritization

• NIST CSF’s Identify function helps organizations understand their critical web assets and the potential impact of breaches.
• CTEM’s threat intelligence and vulnerability management capabilities allow for the prioritization of security efforts based on real-time risk assessments.
• Together, they enable organizations to focus their resources on protecting the most critical assets against the most likely and impactful threats.

Enhanced Detection

• NIST CSF provides a framework for implementing detection controls across the organization.
• CTEM’s continuous monitoring and threat analysis capabilities enhance these controls with real-time threat intelligence.
• This combination results in a more robust and responsive detection system capable of identifying both known and emerging threats.

Improved Response and Recovery

• NIST CSF outlines the key components of effective incident response and recovery processes.
• CTEM’s emphasis on threat intelligence and analysis informs these processes with detailed information about specific threats.
• This integration enables more targeted and effective response strategies, as well as more resilient recovery processes.

Adaptive Security Posture

• NIST CSF provides a structured approach to continuously improving security practices.
• CTEM offers the real-time insights needed to adapt quickly to changing threat landscapes.
• Together, they create a dynamic security posture that evolves in response to new threats and vulnerabilities.

Implementing NIST CSF and CTEM for Web Security

To leverage the combined power of NIST CSF and CTEM for web security, consider implementing the following steps:

1. Develop a Comprehensive Security Strategy:

• Align your web security strategy with the NIST CSF’s IDPRRG functions.
• Incorporate CTEM principles to ensure continuous threat awareness and mitigation.

2. Create a Thorough Asset Inventory:

• Identify all web-related assets, including websites, applications, APIs, and databases.
• Map data flows and dependencies within your web infrastructure. (Again, Reflectiz is well-suited to this discovery phase.)

3. Implement Robust Security Controls:

• Deploy security measures based on NIST CSF recommendations and industry best practices.
• Ensure controls are adaptable to accommodate insights gained through CTEM.

4. Integrate CTEM Capabilities:

• Implement tools and processes for continuous vulnerability scanning and threat monitoring.
• Establish threat intelligence gathering and analysis capabilities.

5. Develop and Test Incident Response Plans:

• Create detailed response procedures for various web security scenarios.
• Regularly conduct tabletop exercises and simulations to test and refine these plans.

6. Establish Continuous Improvement Processes:

• Regularly assess your web security posture against NIST CSF and CTEM best practices.
• Use insights from CTEM to inform updates to your security strategy and controls.

7. Foster a Security-Aware Culture:

• Train staff on web security best practices and the importance of continuous vigilance.
• Encourage open communication about potential security issues and near-misses.

8. Leverage Automation and AI:

• Implement automated tools for vulnerability scanning, threat detection, and incident response.
• Explore AI-driven security solutions to enhance threat detection and analysis capabilities.

9. Engage with the Broader Security Community:

• Participate in information-sharing initiatives to gain and contribute valuable threat intelligence.
• Stay informed about emerging threats and evolving best practices in web security.

10. Regularly Review and Update Your Approach:

• Conduct periodic reviews of your integrated NIST CSF and CTEM implementation.
• Adjust your strategy based on lessons learned, emerging threats, and evolving business needs.

Intersection with emerging trends in web security

How do emerging trends in web security, such as zero trust architecture and AI-driven threat detection, align with NIST CSF and CTEM?

Zero trust architecture (ZTA) is a security model that operates on the principle of “never trust, always verify.” It assumes that threats could be both external and internal and that no user or device should be inherently trusted, regardless of their location within or outside the network perimeter.

AI-driven threat detection is the use of artificial intelligence technologies such as machine learning algorithms, data analytics, and pattern recognition to identify, analyze, and respond to potential cybersecurity threats in real time.

Here’s how these approaches align closely with the CSF and CTEM in various important ways:

Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) – NIST CSF Alignment:

• Identify: ZTA emphasizes asset management and understanding the environment, aligning with the “Identify” function of the CSF.
• Protect: Continuous authentication and least privilege access control are fundamental to ZTA, supporting the “Protect” function by safeguarding sensitive information and systems.
• Detect: ZTA involves constant monitoring and validation of user and device behavior, which comes under the “Detect” function’s requirement of identifying anomalies and potential threats.
• Respond: Requires a quick response to incidents. ZTA’s real-time monitoring capabilities fulfill this.
• Recover: By limiting the attack surface, ZTA contains the damage and ensures there are fewer systems to recover.
• Govern: ZTA aligns with the ‘Govern’ function by ensuring that governance policies such as strict access controls and ongoing identity verification are enforced consistently across the organization.

 AI-Driven Threat Detection – NIST CSF Alignment:

• Identify: AI can enhance asset discovery and risk assessment processes, helping organizations better understand their vulnerabilities.
• Protect: They can also automate and strengthen protective measures, such as anomaly detection and threat intelligence.
• Detect: AI excels in real-time threat detection through behavior analysis.
• Respond: Automated response capabilities powered by AI can expedite incident response.
• Recover: AI can assist in restoring systems and analyzing post-incident data, supporting recovery processes.
• Govern: AI can assist with governance by providing advanced capabilities for monitoring, detecting, and responding to threats, including automated policy compliance, real-time security insights, and anomaly detection.

 CTEM Alignment

• Contextual Understanding: Both ZTA and AI-driven detection methods enhance the contextual understanding of threats, which is central to CTEM’s focus on protecting against vulnerabilities.
• Threat Modeling: ZTA’s principles can be integrated into CTEM’s threat modeling approaches, providing a structured way to assess vulnerabilities in a zero-trust environment.
• Adaptive Defense: AI-driven threat detection aligns with CTEM by enabling adaptive defense strategies that evolve based on the threat landscape, improving overall resilience. 

Conclusion

Reflectiz can help your organization to fulfill many of the objectives of the CTEM and the CSF frameworks. Empower your security teams with comprehensive oversight of all your connected web assets, including scripts, applications, connected domains, as well as actions related to sensitive data. Sign up today!