Best External Attack Surface Management (EASM) Tools

Guide to EASM Tools

External Attack Surface Management (EASM) tools are a comprehensive set of cybersecurity solutions that help organizations identify, manage, and secure their external digital exposure. The main goal of these tools is to minimize the risk of cyber threats from all possible angles, creating a safer virtual environment.

A company's attack surface refers to all the points where an unauthorized user can try to enter data or extract data from the organization's environment. This includes everything from hardware like computers and servers to software such as web applications and databases. Therefore, your organization's attack surface includes all internet-facing assets. EASM specifically focuses on those parts of an attack surface that are exposed or accessible from outside your organization.

One of the core functions of EASM tools is to conduct regular scans across an organization’s network to identify potential weaknesses or vulnerabilities in its systems. They can discover open ports, outdated software versions with known security flaws, misconfigured servers, unnecessary user accounts with high-level privileges and much more.

EASM tools also map out all internet-exposed assets linked to your business - whether intentionally exposed or not - including cloud services, partner websites or forgotten IT resources which may still be active but no longer maintained by IT teams. These forgotten resources often pose significant security risks as they are easy targets for hackers if left unsecured.

Additionally, EASM solutions provide continuous monitoring capabilities so that any changes in the external threat landscape can be detected swiftly. As new vulnerabilities emerge daily due to rapid technological advancements, constant vigilance is necessary to ensure these do not leave an opening for hackers.

Furthermore, EASM tools assess third-party risk. Given today's interconnected digital environment where businesses rely significantly on vendors for various components of their operations; this feature is particularly critical. Suppliers typically have access to some degree of a company’s sensitive information - making them tempting targets for cybercriminals who might find it easier than infiltrating directly into the intended target.

However, the adoption of EASM tools alone is not enough to ensure complete protection against external threats. They are just one component of a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. Human error remains a significant vulnerability that can undermine even the best security measures. Thus, while these tools are important, regular training and education for employees on best practices for data security is equally significant.

It's worth noting that every organization’s exposure to cyber threats will be unique based on their specific products or services, operational structure, partnerships as well as the nature of their digital footprint. Therefore, while EASM tools provide a standardized approach to manage your external attack surface; they must also be supplemented with tailored solutions based on individual organizational needs.

EASM tools help organizations stay ahead in the increasingly complex and evolving cyber threat landscape by providing them with a clear view of their external digital exposure and offering actionable insights for mitigating risks. However, they should always be complemented with other security measures including employee education and internal network defenses to maximize overall protection levels.

Features Provided by EASM Tools

EASM tools are designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of an organization's digital footprint from an attacker's perspective. These tools identify, monitor, and manage all known, unknown and rogue assets associated with an organization on the internet. Here are some of the key features provided by these EASM tools:

1. Asset Discovery: This is one of the most fundamental features of EASM tools. They can scan the entire internet space to locate all assets related to your organization. This includes not just official websites but also unofficial ones like those created by employees for various purposes or rogue sites created by hackers.
2. Continuous Monitoring: EASM tools routinely conduct scans to discover new assets as they come online and alert security teams about any changes that could increase their attack surface. Continuous monitoring helps in identifying vulnerabilities instantly when they appear.
3. Vulnerability Assessment: EASM solutions evaluate each discovered asset for potential vulnerabilities that may present a risk. The severity of each vulnerability is rated based on its potential impact and ease of exploitation.
4. Intelligence Gathering: By collecting data from diverse resources such as WHOIS databases, passive DNS data, SSL/TLS certificate metadata, etc., these systems provide rich context around every asset found during the discovery process.
5. Threat Intelligence Integration: Many solutions integrate with threat intelligence feeds which provide up-to-date information about new threats and attacks in real-time. This allows organizations to adapt their defenses proactively against emerging cyber threats.
6. Risk Prioritization: Not all vulnerabilities warrant equal attention and remediation effort; some pose more immediate or severe threats than others. EASM tools prioritize risks according to their severity, enabling your IT team to focus on addressing the most critical vulnerabilities first.
7. Alerting & Reporting Capability: Once a potential threat or weakness is detected, EASM tools send alerts directly to the security team so that they can take immediate action. They also generate reports that provide detailed insights about the organization's external attack surface and potential risks.
8. Integrations with Other Security Tools: To extend their capabilities, EASM tools often integrate with other security systems like SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) for event-based data analysis, or ticketing systems to manage vulnerability remediation effectively.
9. Cloud Infrastructure Scanning: With more organizations moving towards cloud environments, some EASM tools provide features to scan across various cloud infrastructures including AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, etc., allowing them to monitor their digital footprint across all platforms.
10. Dark Web Monitoring: Some advanced EASM solutions even extend their reach beyond the surface web into deep and dark webs where threat actors often operate. This helps in detecting threats such as leaked credentials or sensitive information that might be circulating in these hidden parts of the internet.

External Attack Surface Management tools offer a range of features that help an organization identify its entire external digital footprint, uncover vulnerabilities, prioritize risk based on severity, monitor for new threats continuously and respond quickly when issues are detected.

What Are the Different Types of EASM Tools?

EASM tools are designed to provide visibility and control over an organization's external digital footprint. They help analyze, detect, and prevent potential cyber threats. Here are different types of EASM tools:

1. Threat Intelligence Platforms: These platforms collect, organize, and analyze data about emerging threats from various sources. They can detect trends in threat behavior and help in creating proactive cybersecurity strategies.
2. Vulnerability Assessment Tools: These tools identify security holes within an organization’s IT infrastructure. They assess systems for any known vulnerabilities, missing patches or configurations that could potentially be exploited by hackers.
3. Web Application Scanners: These scanners check web applications for security weaknesses. They scan code to find issues like SQL injection flaws, cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, insecure server configuration, etc.
4. Network Security Analysis Tools: These tools monitor network traffic to detect anomalies that might signify breaches or attempted breaches. They provide real-time analysis of incoming data packets to identify potential threats before they infiltrate the system.
5. Domain Name System (DNS) Analysis Tools: These tools help organizations keep track of DNS records and domains related to their brand. They can detect suspicious activities such as domain squatting, typo-squatting or fake domains which might be used for phishing attacks.
6. Port Scanning Tools: These tools scan a network or host to identify open ports that might be vulnerable to attack. By mapping out an organization's attack surface at the port level, these tools can help prioritize remediation efforts based on risk.
7. Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS): IDS alert administrators of potential attacks in progress by monitoring system activity for malicious activities or policy violations. They can provide valuable information about where attacks are originating from and how they are being conducted.
8. Risk Assessment Tools: These tools evaluate the potential risk imposed by identified vulnerabilities. They model the possible impacts of various cyber threats and help in prioritizing security measures.
9. Social Media Monitoring Tools: These tools monitor social media platforms for any harmful content related to an organization's brand or products. They can alert organizations about phishing attempts, defamation, or unauthorized use of their intellectual property.
10. Email Security Tools: These tools scan incoming and outgoing emails for signs of phishing or other types of email-based attacks. They help in preventing data leaks and blocking spam emails.
11. Firewall Management Tools: These tools manage and maintain the rules and policies enforced by firewalls. They ensure that outdated rules are removed, and new ones are added according to changing network conditions.
12. SIEM (Security Information & Event Management) Tools: These tools collect log and event data from various sources within an IT infrastructure, providing real-time analysis for security alerts. SIEM helps in identifying patterns that could indicate a security breach.

All these types of EASM tools contribute to securing an organization's digital footprint from cyber threats, each having a specific role in mitigating different aspects of external attack surface threats.

Benefits of Using EASM Tools

EASM tools are essential in managing and securing an organization's cyber infrastructure. These tools provide a robust framework for identifying, mapping, and monitoring external assets that could be potentially exploited by malicious actors. Here are some of the key advantages:

1. Holistic Visibility: EASM tools provide a comprehensive view of an organization’s digital presence across the entire internet, not just what's publicly known or disclosed. It includes everything from traditional web applications to cloud-based assets and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. This broad visibility is critical in understanding the full scope of potential attack vectors.
2. Asset Discovery & Inventory: Organizations often struggle to maintain an accurate inventory of their online assets due to factors like shadow IT, third-party partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, etc. EASM tools automate this process, ensuring all digital properties are continuously discovered and monitored.
3. Risk Prioritization: All vulnerabilities are not created equal; some pose far greater risks than others depending upon their ease of exploitation and potential impact on the organization if breached. EASM solutions use advanced analytics to rank identified flaws based on these factors so security teams can focus their efforts where they’re needed most.
4. Continuous Monitoring & Alerts: Cyber threats evolve constantly; what was secure yesterday may not be today due to newly discovered vulnerabilities or changes in threat landscape. EASM tools monitor for changes 24/7/365 and generate real-time alerts when new risks are detected.
5. Reduced Time to Remediation: By automating discovery, assessment, prioritization and alerting processes, EASM tools significantly reduce the time taken between detecting a vulnerability or risk event and resolving it – thereby minimizing potential exposure window for attackers.
6. Third-Party Risk Management: In today’s interconnected world where organizations increasingly leverage third-party partners for various operations - supply chain management, application development, etc., it’s necessary to ensure that these partners also maintain strong cyber hygiene. EASM tools enable organizations to identify, assess and remediate risks associated with third-party digital assets.
7. Regulatory Compliance: Cybersecurity regulations like GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA and others mandate businesses to ensure proper security controls around their data. By providing comprehensive visibility into an organization’s digital footprint and robust risk management capabilities, EASM tools play a critical role in meeting these compliance requirements.
8. Proactive Threat Hunting: Rather than waiting for attacks to occur, EASM allows organizations to proactively hunt for vulnerabilities or misconfigurations within their own infrastructures as well as hosted assets. It turns the tables on attackers by taking the initiative in discovering potential attack vectors before they do.
9. Improved Incident Response: When a breach does occur, having full visibility of your attack surface lets you respond quickly and efficiently. Understanding what has been compromised, how it's connected to other assets enables faster containment of threats.
10. Cost Savings: Through automation of many tasks usually performed manually by cybersecurity teams - such as asset discovery, vulnerability scanning, etc., EASM tools generate significant operational efficiencies and cost savings.

EASM tools provide end-to-end cybersecurity risk management capability – right from asset discovery & inventorying through continuous monitoring & alerting up to risk prioritization & remediation – making them indispensable in today’s complex and rapidly evolving threat landscape.

Types of Users That Use EASM Tools

• Security Analysts: They are the primary users of EASM tools. Security analysts utilize these tools to identify potential vulnerabilities across an organization’s external digital footprint. These professionals monitor and analyze data flowing in their network, seeking out anomalous patterns that may signify a security breach.
• Information Security Officers: These individuals use EASM tools to better track and monitor the vulnerabilities of the systems they're responsible for. They use these tools to manage their organization's risk and ensure compliance with industry regulations regarding data protection and privacy.
• Penetration Testers/Ethical Hackers: These users employ EASM tools as part of their techniques to figure out how easy it is to breach an organization's security system. The results from these tests help organizations define effective strategies against potential threats.
• IT Administrators/Managers: IT Administrators use EASM solutions to gain a comprehensive view of their network’s security infrastructure. By identifying gaps in an external attack surface, IT managers can prioritize areas needing improvement and more strategically allocate resources.
• Risk Managers: Risk managers utilize EASM toolsets to create risk profiles for organizations by quantifying and categorizing identified vulnerabilities. Thorough analysis helps them establish procedures to mitigate risks before they turn into actual breaches.
• Incident Response Teams: In case of a security breach, incident response teams use information gathered from EASM solutions as part of their investigation processes. This data aids in recognizing how the breach occurred, possibly through which vulnerability point, thereby aiding in damage control and prevention against future attacks.
• Network Engineers: Network engineers rely on this software to identify weak points within the architecture of networks that can be exploited by attackers, helping them develop robust defense systems against possible intrusions.
• Cybersecurity Researchers: Researchers who study cybersecurity trends also use this tool for broad threat landscape monitoring across various domains or IP addresses – contributing towards emerging threat intelligence or research purposes.
• Compliance Auditors: These users use EASM tools in verifying the effectiveness of an organization's security measures, especially if they need to comply with certain industry norms or standards. They evaluate external attack surfaces against these guidelines ensuring that the systems are adequately secured.
• Legal and Privacy Officers: Legal and privacy officers use EASM tools to ensure their organizations' infrastructures align with legal requirements regarding data storage, transmission, or processing. This alignment helps prevent possible legal consequences due to compliance breaches.
• Business Executives: They may not directly use EASM tools but rely heavily on information derived from them. It helps them understand the security posture of their organization, make informed decisions about cybersecurity investments, and manage potential reputational risks associated with a breach.
• Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs): MSSPs leverage EASM tools when providing third-party IT security services to other organizations. They can effectively manage multiple client networks using these solutions, enhancing overall service delivery.
• Software Developers: Some software developers might also utilize EASM tools during their development process as part of DevSecOps practices – helping identify and fix vulnerabilities early in the software lifecycle.

How Much Do EASM Tools Cost?

The cost of EASM tools can vary significantly depending on a multitude of factors. It's challenging to pinpoint an exact price range without considering the specific needs, scale, and budget of the company in question.

Firstly, the price can be highly influenced by the size of your organization. Larger companies with more extensive digital footprints will usually require more advanced (and thus, more expensive) solutions compared to small to midsize businesses (SMBs). This is due to the fact that larger companies typically have more digital assets to manage and protect - including websites, subdomains, IP addresses, cloud storage systems, etc.

Secondly, the complexity of your organization’s network will also play into costs. If you have numerous interconnected systems across various geographical locations or different types of infrastructure like cloud-based servers and physical data centers that need protection simultaneously, expect costs to increase.

Furthermore, pricing models differ among EASM providers which could either be subscription-based or based on usage or both. Subscription plans often come in various tiers ranging from basic packages ideal for SMBs to comprehensive enterprise-level plans incorporating advanced features such as continuous monitoring and real-time threat intelligence.

In terms of actual dollar values: As an estimate based on industry standards and average market prices; smaller organizations might spend anywhere from $10,000-$30,000 per year for a basic EASM software. Medium-sized organizations might spend between $30,000-$100,000 annually while large enterprises may see costs running into several hundred thousand dollars or even millions annually due to their expansive attack surfaces and higher security demands.

However it should be noted that these are rough estimates and prices can greatly vary depending upon individual vendors' pricing structure along with custom requirements tailored specifically for your organization's unique environment.

This doesn’t take into account potential return on investment (ROI). While EASM tools indeed represent a significant financial investment; however they can also provide important cost savings in the long run, significantly reducing the risk of financial loss due to data breaches or other cyber attacks, and thus should be considered as a crucial investment in your organization's overall cyber security posture.

What Software Do EASM Tools Integrate With?

Many types of software can integrate with EASM tools to enhance their functionality and provide synergistic security benefits. 

Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems, for instance, can combine with EASM tools to aggregate data and identify trends or anomalies across multiple sources. SIEMs help in analyzing log data generated by network hardware and applications, which when used in combination with EASM tools, can proactively identify potential threats before they materialize into actual attacks.

Vulnerability Assessment Tools are another type of software that integrates well with EASM solutions. They scan the network to find weaknesses that could be exploited by hackers. When integrated with an EASM tool, these vulnerabilities can be monitored regularly, and defensive actions can be taken more effectively.

In addition to this, Threat Intelligence Platforms (TIPs) work excellently alongside EASMs. TIPs collect information about emerging cyber threats from a variety of sources, which when coupled with an EASM tool's capabilities, provides a comprehensive view of both the internal and external threat landscape.

Network Monitoring Software also works seamlessly with EASMs. These tools monitor traffic flowing through your network for unusual or suspicious activity and notify administrators when something is detected. The insights from an EASM tool can supplement this analysis by providing additional context.

Incident Response Platforms can work in tandem with EASMs by helping teams respond effectively to identified risks or attacks on their digital assets. By integrating these two types of tools together it allows for swift action based on real-time data provided by the EASM tool.

Thus numerous kinds of software ranging from SIEM systems through vulnerability assessment platforms, TIPs, Network Monitoring Software to Incident Response Platforms have the ability to integrate with External Attack Surface Management tools enhancing cybersecurity measures.

Recent Trends Related to EASM Tools

1. Increasing Demand: There is a growing demand for EASM tools due to the rise in digital transformation across industries. This trend is fueled by the need for businesses to manage their digital footprint more efficiently and safeguard their data from external threats.
2. Real-time Threat Intelligence: Organizations are increasingly leaning towards EASM tools that offer real-time threat intelligence. These tools continuously monitor the organization's external attack surface and provide real-time updates about potential vulnerabilities, enabling quick action to mitigate risks.
3. Shift to Cloud-based Solutions: The trend of moving to cloud-based EASM tools is gaining momentum as these solutions offer scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. They also provide easy access to updates and improvements without requiring significant hardware or software changes.
4. Integration with Other Security Tools: Companies are looking for EASM tools that can easily integrate with their existing security infrastructure, such as Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems, vulnerability management systems, and incident response platforms. This integration allows for more cohesive threat management.
5. Automation in EASM Tools: There's an increasing trend towards automation in EASM tools. Automated solutions can identify vulnerabilities faster and more accurately than manual processes, thus enhancing efficiency and allowing IT teams to focus on strategic tasks.
6. Focus on User Experience: As the market matures, vendors are focusing more on the user experience of their EASM tools. Easy-to-use interfaces, clear visibility over assets, and insightful reports are some features being highlighted to attract customers.
7. Regulatory Compliance: With regulations like GDPR and CCPA becoming more stringent, businesses are using EASM tools not only for security but also for compliance purposes. These tools help companies ensure they are not violating any data privacy laws.
8. AI and Machine Learning Integration: AI and machine learning capabilities are increasingly being integrated into EASM tools to improve their effectiveness in identifying and responding to threats. These technologies can analyze vast amounts of data quickly to pinpoint security gaps and predict potential attacks.
9. Vendor Consolidation: The EASM market is experiencing vendor consolidation as companies look for comprehensive solutions from a single provider. This trend is driven by the desire to simplify security management and reduce the complexity associated with managing multiple vendors.
10. Rise in Managed Security Services: Many businesses are opting for managed security services for their EASM needs. Such services provide expert handling of the company's external attack surface, allowing them to focus on their core business functions.
11. Increased Awareness of Cybersecurity Risks: With high-profile data breaches regularly making headlines, companies are more aware than ever of the risks posed by cyber threats. This heightened awareness is driving the adoption of EASM tools.
12. Advanced Threat Detection: There's a growing trend towards advanced threat detection capabilities in EASM tools, including behavior-based detection mechanisms that can identify anomalies and potential threats based on user behavior patterns.
13. Growth in IoT Devices: The proliferation of IoT devices has increased the attack surface for many organizations, leading to a rise in demand for EASM tools that can manage and secure these devices.
14. Inclusion of Risk Scoring Systems: Some EASM vendors are incorporating risk scoring systems into their solutions, which assess and rate the potential risk each asset poses to the organization, allowing for prioritized action based on these scores.
15. Adoption by Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs): Previously, only larger organizations used EASM tools due to their high costs. However, with more affordable solutions becoming available, more SMEs are adopting these tools to protect their business assets.
16. Emphasis on Proactive Approach: Instead of reacting to cyber-attacks after they occur, there's a trend towards taking a proactive approach using EASM tools. This involves identifying potential vulnerabilities and threats before they can be exploited by malicious actors.

How To Pick the Right EASM Tool

1. Define Business Requirement: The first step in selecting the right EASM tool is to identify and clearly define your business requirements. Understanding what you need from an EASM tool, including any industry-specific or compliance-related needs, will help guide your selection process.
2. Evaluation of Features: Look for features like continuous monitoring and mapping, automated discovery of new assets, coverage across all layers of the tech stack, threat prioritization based on actual risk, etc. The tool should provide comprehensive visibility into your external attack surface while also offering actionable insights.
3. Ease-Of-Use: Choose a user-friendly solution that can be easily understood and operated even by non-technical staff. This includes intuitive interfaces, clear reports and alerts, easy integration with other systems, etc.
4. Scalability: Choose an EASM tool that can grow with your business as it expands its online operations and digital infrastructure. The tool must be able to manage larger volumes of data without sacrificing performance or accuracy.
5. Vendor Reputation & Support: Research the reputation of each vendor before making a buying decision. You want to ensure they have a proven track record delivering high-quality products/services and providing excellent customer support post-sale.
6. Integration Capability: Ensure that the EASM tools you choose integrates well with your existing security infrastructure like Security Information & Event Management (SIEM) systems, Vulnerability Management solutions, etc.
7. Cost Efficiency: Besides purchase price or subscription cost, consider also maintenance costs and hidden costs such as training for employees, implementation expenses, etc., when comparing service providers.
8. Regular Updates & Upgrades: With continuously evolving threats landscape, it's crucial that the chosen EASM provider regularly updates their system to ensure it remains effective against current types of attacks.
9. Automated Reporting & Alerting Mechanisms: The ideal EASM tools should have built-in reporting capabilities and alerting mechanisms that quickly notify you about potential vulnerabilities or active threats targeting your assets.
10. Reviews & Feedback: Check online reviews, testimonials, and ask for recommendations from industry peers to understand the effectiveness of an EASM tool. This can provide insights into how well the tool works in a real-world setting and if it's reliable.
11. Trial Period/Demo: If possible, opt for a trial or demo before making the final decision. This will give you a chance to test the functionality and compatibility of the tool with your existing systems.

Remember that one size does not fit all when it comes down to security tools. It's essential to identify what features are most crucial for your business needs and evaluate potential solutions based on those specifications. Use the comparison engine on this page to help you compare EASM tools by their features, prices, user reviews, and more.