industry unlocked
response communications, meaning
that the consequences of a breach are
substantial. Steps must be taken to
ensure that every blunt edge in telecoms
cybersecurity is sharpened and secured.
Guarding assets with Privileged
Access Management
Companies today look after a whole host
of information and data, much of it being
confidential and of critical importance.
To guard this data yet still allow certain
individuals to access it, privileged
credentials exist across almost every
enterprise’s IT environment.
Cybercriminals know this. That is why
almost all advanced attacks today gain
access to a target’s most sensitive
data, applications and infrastructure
by exploiting a company’s privileged
credentials. Telecommunications is by
no means an exception.
Despite this knowledge, organisations
allow privileged access to critical
assets and systems to remain
unsecured and unmanaged. Assets are
therefore left vulnerable to damaging
cyberattacks that could impact
telecommunications companies and
citizens far beyond the limits of a
simple data breach. Companies must
Telecoms companies
are frequently
targeted because
they build, control
and operate critical
infrastructure that
is widely used to
communicate and
store large amounts
of sensitive data
up their game in securing, controlling
and monitoring the use of powerful
privileged accounts to minimise
disruptive damage to these systems.
In order to proactively reduce the risk
of privileged access abuse, telecoms
companies must first understand the
most common types of attacks that
exploit privileged access. They must
know how an attacker thinks and
behaves in each case to exploit the
organisation’s vulnerabilities. They
must then prioritise the most important
privileged accounts, credentials and
secrets. Identifying the potential points
of attack and then focusing especially
on those that could jeopardise critical
infrastructure or the organisation’s most
vital information, is also essential.
After understanding weaknesses and
access points for attackers, telecoms
companies must determine the most
effective actions to close the gap in
these areas. Which actions are the
highest priority? What can be achieved
quickly and which actions require a
long-term plan?
As an overarching rule, organisations
should recognise that attackers are
constantly looking for new ways to
gain access and act appropriately in
response. By taking the time to plan
out a strategy for managing privileged
access and returning to reassess it
as your organisation and the threat
landscape evolve, you can develop a
formidable defence.
Securing telecommunications’
exciting future
As a global society, we’re moving into
an era where technology is our most
important asset and tool.
We are innovating the very networks that
this world runs on daily, creating, in turn,
services that improve our standard of
living exponentially.
IoT devices create a network of tools that
are versatile and agile for human needs
and 5G connectivity will provide all of it
at our fingertips. But as a shepherd tends
his flock at night, so must we in keeping
alert and vigilant to potential threats that
attempt to disrupt positive growth.
By understanding threats, proactively
prioritising the weakest points in
privileged access infrastructure,
determining the best course of action
and striving for continuous improvement,
CSPs will be able to minimise damage
from cyberthreats. With a solid strategy
in place, the rewards of a hyper-
connected world will be reaped. u
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Issue 23
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