Arming Organizations to Detect and Respond to Stealthy APTS

In today’s digital dependent world, organizations struggle to mitigate a stealthy, well-resourced, and tenacious advanced persistent threat (APT) attacks by nefarious actors, organizations, and even nation-states with intent on gaining a foothold into an organization’s IT infrastructure. This onslaught of advanced attacks requires far more than baseline security practices. While most security professionals are APT-aware, many lack the experience, requisite skills, and the ability to integrate technology to counter APT attacks. The problem is exacerbated by a widening cybersecurity skills gap. Recent research by ISACA, the world’s largest information security professional association, reported more than 60% of applicants for entry level cybersecurity positions lack the skill and ability to perform the tasks associated with their potential new roles. Success against the APT is predicated on insight into APT attack stages and the integration of technology to enable organizational resilience; however, this is not possible in organizations do not have the workforce with the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the technical tasks related to their functional roles. This article addresses a customized response strategy executed by a skilled workforce that mitigates and even counters attacks. The strategy recommends that a coordinated response based on organization risk management policies be implemented. In addition, it requires organizational insight into their information assets, control of administrator privileges, implementation of sound network segregation architecture, and a commitment to a balanced vulnerability management program. It is critical that a further discussion occur to outline skills acquisition based on skills-based training and performance-based assessments.