Breaking Down the Real Meaning of an XDR Solution
Read More
Understand Active Directory: discover its main functions, framework, and learn how to
Identity Threat Detection and Response (ITDR) is a vertical of security which involves identifying, reducing, and responding to identity-based threats, including significant threats like identity attacks that ITDR addresses.
This includes compromised user accounts, fraudulent access, and more. Compromised credentials pose a significant security risk by allowing unauthorized access that mimics legitimate user activity.
Gartner defines ITDR as “a security discipline that encompasses threat intelligence, best practices, a knowledge base, tools, and processes to protect identity systems. It works by implementing detection mechanisms, investigating suspicious posture changes and activities, and responding to attacks to restore the integrity of the identity infrastructure.”
With multiple users accessing company resources from multiple devices, it has become important to come up with a security strategy which detects and responds to threats on an identity-level. Hence, ITDR solutions cannot be called a product, it is a set of procedures which creates a security framework. We will dive deeper into these procedures later in this blog.
First, let’s understand the importance of Identity Threat Detection and Response.
According to research funded by the Identity Defined Security Alliance (IDSA), 79% of participants reported experiencing an identity-related breach in the previous two years.
As cyber threats evolve in complexity and frequency, the need for robust security measures to protect sensitive data and information has become critical. ITDR plays a crucial role in safeguarding organizational assets by focusing on the detection, investigation, and mitigation of identity-related threats.
Here are some ways in which an ITDR system strengthens your enterprises defense set up:
As we mentioned before, Identity threat detection & response (ITDR) is a security framework which often includes a bunch of procedures to help secure identity related threats
Here is a deeper look at that:
This is the process of centralizing and controlling user authentication and authorization process. This procedure often includes multi-factor authentication (MFA) to protect individual identities.
ITDR vendors must seek to integrate threat intelligence feeds to keep customers informed about emerging threats. Contextual information refers to tracking the source of potential identity threats.
An ITDR solution must continuously update behavior models to adapt to evolving threat landscapes. Besides, not every anomaly poses a direct risk. Risk rating methods that rank warnings according to their possible impact and degree of severity should be included in the ITDR framework. This aids security teams in prioritizing the most important problems.
ITDR platforms and solutions have the ability to implement identity-specific incident response workflows to quickly isolate and contain compromised accounts. These platforms can swiftly isolate and contain compromised credentials to prevent further unauthorized access, thereby mitigating potential security risks.
ITDR solutions can help mitigate identity vulnerabilities, which can be broadly categorized into three main types: unmanaged identities, misconfigured identities, and exposed identities. Each type presents unique risks and challenges that organizations must address to ensure robust identity protection.
These are user identities that are not properly managed or monitored, making them susceptible to data breaches. Unmanaged identities can include accounts that are not properly provisioned, deprovisioned, or updated. For example, former employees’ accounts that are still active or service accounts that are not regularly reviewed can become easy targets for cybercriminals.
Misconfigured identities refer to accounts that are not properly configured, leaving them vulnerable to identity compromise. This can include user identities with excessive privileges, weak passwords, or inadequate access controls. For instance, an account with administrative privileges that does not require multi-factor authentication (MFA) can be a significant security risk.
These are identities that are exposed to the internet or other external networks, making them vulnerable to attacks. Exposed identities can include accounts used for remote access, cloud services, or other external applications. For example, an identity used to access a cloud environment without proper security controls can be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data.
By understanding and addressing these types of identity vulnerabilities, organizations can strengthen their identity security policies and strategies and reduce the risk of identity related risks.
Implementing Identity Threat Detection and Response (ITDR) in your organization requires a strategic approach that involves several key steps. Here are some best practices to consider:
By following these best practices, organizations can effectively implement ITDR and enhance their identity protection strategies, reducing the risk of identity-based attacks.
The future of Identity Threat Detection and Response (ITDR) is rapidly evolving, with new technologies and innovations emerging to address the growing threat of identity-based attacks. Here are some trends to watch:
As the house of user accounts, permissions, and access controls, Active Directory is the prime target for cyber attackers. Identity Threat Detection & Response solutions can integrate with Active Directory to gain valuable insights into user activity within this core system. With the use of advanced analytics and machine learning, this integration enables the real-time identification of abnormalities, including unwanted access attempts and privilege escalations.
Detecting privilege escalation is crucial for identifying identity-based threats, alongside other threats like account takeovers and data exfiltration. ITDR improves your overall security posture and gives you the ability to recognize and counter threats that are directed toward your Active Directory infrastructure by continuously monitoring this single identity hub. So, although an ITDR and an AD security tool have their own capabilities and use cases, in simplified terms an AD security solution is a version of ITDR specifically designed to protect from identity threats within an active directory only.
If you are looking for a solution that spreads a wider net then ITDR may be the way to go, but for a micro picture of your Active Directory, Fidelis Active Directory Intercept™ is the way to go.
It is the only solution which combines AD-aware network detection and response (NDR) tool and integrated Active Directory deception technology solution with foundational AD log and event monitoring to not just identify Microsoft Active Directory threats – but to respond swiftly.
Here are some benefits of Fidelis Active Directory Intercept™ solution:
In summary, ITDR is a critical component of a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy, and its importance will only continue to grow in the future. By understanding the types of identity vulnerabilities, implementing ITDR solutions, and following best practices, organizations can protect themselves against identity-based attacks and stay ahead of emerging threats and vulnerabilities.
See Fidelis in action. Learn how our fast and scalable platforms provide full visibility, deep insights, and rapid response to help security teams across the World protect, detect, respond, and neutralize advanced cyber adversaries.