In 2023, the average cost of a data breach for data exfiltration was USD 5.21 million.
This figure was published in IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report 2023, and it highlights the need to implement best-in-class technology to safeguard your digital assets. There are many organizations that are still relying upon traditional security mechanisms like firewalls, anti-virus softwares, and basic monitoring tools.
Without a doubt those data exfiltration detection tools worked beautifully well in their time but gradually with time the tools have evolved into more sophisticated data exfiltration technologies to fight against the evolving tactics of cybercriminals. We’ll take a look at these new data exfiltration techniques, but first, let’s understand the limitations of the traditional methods they replace.
Why traditional methods of prevention and detection are no longer sufficient?
In the earlier days of protecting organizational data from threats, firewalls, antivirus programs and intrusion detection systems (IDS) were enough. But the rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape has revealed some significant holes in these data exfiltration solutions. Here’s why:
Static defenses can’t keep up with dynamic threats: Traditional systems are optimized to defend against known modes of attack but often fail to detect novel or sophisticated data exfiltration attacks like fileless malware or encrypted exfiltration channels.
Reactive rather than proactive: Traditional solutions tend to be reactive — responding only after a breach is detected — rather than proactively seeking out threats and then also providing data exfiltration mitigation services before damage can be done.
Limited visibility across complex environments: Modern IT Infrastructures comprise cloud platforms, IoT devices, hybrid environments, etc. Traditional data exfiltration detection tools fail to provide the visibility necessary to effectively monitor data flows holistically across these ecosystems.
Inability to detect insider threats: Traditional approaches are not well poised to recognize malicious or inadvertent data exfiltration by trusted insiders, which frequently occurs through legitimate access methods.
Overwhelming false positives: Signature based detection and old rule sets can create false alarms, causing alert fatigue and making it difficult for security teams to focus on actual threats.
No Integration with advanced analytics: Conventional data exfiltration solutions lack capabilities such as machine learning or behavioral data exfiltration analysis, which is critical to discover subtle and slow exfiltration efforts.
With cyber attackers constantly developing their tactics and techniques, using out-of-date tools exposes one too many vulnerabilities. Advanced technologies that blend machine learning, automation and adaptive defense approaches must be adopted by businesses to bridge these gaps.
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The Evolving Nature of Data Exfiltration: A Comprehensive Timeline
Key Emerging Technologies for Data Exfiltration Mitigation
With data exfiltration technologies constantly changing, enterprises need to implement layers of advanced technology. Let’s explore some emerging data exfiltration technologies that aim to prevent, detect, and mitigate data exfiltration
Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
DLP solutions are integral for discovering, monitoring, and preventing sensitive data from leaving the organization. They monitor user activity and enforce policies about the movement of data through email, cloud storage and USB devices.
Fidelis Solution: Fidelis Data Loss Prevention solution allows for deep, advanced data exfiltration detection and prevention by inspecting all data in transit, both within the organization and across the network perimeter. Its combination of content inspection and contextual awareness allows it to block sensitive data transfers in real time, preventing accidental or malicious breaches.
Endpoint Detection and Response & Network Detection and Response
While EDR primarily detects and reacts to malicious activity on endpoint devices, NDR evaluates network traffic for signs of intrusion or data exfiltration. Together, they provide an overall defense against attacks based on the detection of anomalies in endpoint and network communication activity.
Fidelis Solution: Fidelis Endpoint ® and Network® combine visibility across endpoint and network layers. Their Fidelis Elevate®, XDR (Extended Detection and Response) solution combines network and endpoint detection to provide an advanced, integrated defense that accelerates the detection and response to threats. The result is that security teams can detect attempts to exfiltrate data in real time and respond before any major damage is done.
Active Directory Security
Active Directory (AD) is a cornerstone of many organizations’ IT infrastructure and is an easy target for attackers to move laterally within the network. AD Intercept tools can detect unauthorized modifications to user roles, privilege escalation and lateral movements aiming to exfiltrate information.
Fidelis Solution: With Fidelis Active Directory Intercept™, you can monitor and respond to any suspicious AD changes. Fidelis prevents attacks from getting the access necessary to exfiltrate target data through AD vulnerabilities.
Deception Technology
Deception technology involves the development of decoy systems, files, or networks that attract thereby enabling early detection of malicious activities. This approach enables organizations to entice attackers into isolated environments, where their activities can be observed and mitigated without endangering real assets.
Fidelis Solution: Fidelis Deception® can be part of your defense architecture to create false targets that appear legitimate to attackers. These decoys trick and trap cybercriminals when they attempt to move data, enabling the security team to detect and prevent data exfiltration — without ever exposing real assets.
Cloud-Native Application Protection Platform (CNAPP)
CNAPP is designed to protect cloud-native applications such as containers and microservices, which many organizations are now using due to their agility and scalability. CNAPP solutions defend against vulnerabilities in the application lifecycle and can detect anomalous data movement that may indicate an exfiltration attempt.
Fidelis Solutions: The Fidelis Halo® provides cloud-native application monitoring and security. Fidelis provides a complete integrated data exfiltration protection solution around real-time visibility based on cloud-native security principles; it reduces potential exfiltration risk associated with vulnerabilities in cloud applications.
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Frequently Ask Questions
What are the tools used to detect data exfiltration?
To detect a breach, advanced data exfiltration technologies are required that give us visibility and control over all the environments. Some of the most sought-after data exfiltration tools are:
- Data Loss Prevention: DLP is tool that monitors and protects sensitive data so that it cannot leave the network and reach any malicious actor without authorization.
- Extended Detection and Response: XDR is an unified platform that detects and prevents threat across endpoints, networks, and cloud layers to find and stop exfiltration attempts.
- Cloud-Native Application Protection Platform: CNAPP secures cloud application environments by sensing vulnerabilities and data breaches.
Is Zero Trust Architecture suitable for all organizations?
Zero Trust Architecture Model is one of the most impactful security models available that helps organizations in data exfiltration mitigation, if it fits well with an organization’s size, resources, and needs. While full Zero Trust implementation may benefit larger organizations with complex networks, smaller companies can have some difficulties because they may have limited budgets and expertise. Nonetheless, implementing core principles such as least privilege access, multi-factor authentication, and continuous monitoring can significantly elevate any company’s security posture.
How to detect data exfiltration?
Data exfiltration detection relies on advanced monitoring tools and techniques that can track unusual movements of data. For example, one can use tools such as Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solutions to monitor and limit the transfer of sensitive data and Network Detection and Response (NDR) solutions to analyze traffic for anomalies.
One can also use a tool known as Endpoint detection and response — EDR, for short — it helps in identifying suspicious activities that occur at device endpoints.
