The Underestimated Risk: External Assets and Their Vulnerabilities in Companies

In an increasingly digital world, companies are no longer defined solely by their internal structures. Beyond their own networks, databases, and systems, they constantly interact with a variety of external assets. These assets range from cloud services and SaaS applications to partner systems, publicly accessible APIs, and IoT devices. Yet, many companies underestimate the number of external assets they have, and the potential risks associated with them.

What Are External Assets?

External assets are all digital resources that a company relies on but which reside outside its direct control or internal infrastructure. These include:

• Cloud services like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud.
• Third-party tools and SaaS solutions used in daily operations (e.g., CRM systems, project management tools, email marketing platforms).
• Websites, subdomains, and content management systems that are not centrally managed.
• IoT devices, which are often poorly secured.
• APIs and data integrations with partners or customers.
• Social media accounts and other digital presences.

While many of these assets are critical to business operations, they are often not fully integrated into the company’s security strategy.

Why Don’t Companies Have a Clear View of Their External Assets?

The main reasons include:

1. Growth and Decentralization: As companies grow, so does the number of external tools and partners. Different departments may implement solutions without always registering or monitoring them centrally.
2. Shadow IT: Employees often use tools or services that are not officially approved to streamline their work. This shadow IT often flies under the radar of the IT department.
3. Shadow IT: Employees often use tools or services that are not officially approved to streamline their work. This shadow IT often flies under the radar of the IT department.
4. Lack of Asset Inventory: Many companies fail to conduct a comprehensive inventory of their digital resources, especially external services.
5. Complexity of Modern Supply Chains: External assets are often part of an extensive supply chain, making it difficult to clearly define responsibilities and implement consistent security measures.

The Risks of External Assets

Without a clear understanding of their external assets, companies expose themselves to significant risks. Common threats include:

• Cyberattacks on unsecured interfaces: Hackers specifically target poorly secured APIs or outdated cloud instances.
• Data leaks: Inadequately secured SaaS tools or cloud storage can leave sensitive data unprotected.
• Complexity of third-party contracts: Companies are often unaware of how their data is processed or protected by third parties.
• Phishing and social engineering attacks: Official social media accounts or poorly secured subdomains can be compromised.
• Compliance violations: Mismanagement of external assets can result in severe breaches of data protection regulations like GDPR.

How Can Companies Protect Their External Assets?

1. Inventory and Monitoring: Companies should conduct a full inventory of all external assets. Automated monitoring tools can help identify unknown or outdated assets.
2. Risk Assessment: Every external asset should be evaluated for its criticality and potential vulnerabilities.
3. Security Policies and Contracts: Clear guidelines for the use of external services and binding contracts with third parties are essential.
4. Regular Audits: External assets should be periodically reviewed to ensure they meet current security standards.
5. Employee Training: Raising employee awareness about the risks of external tools and ensuring compliance with security policies is crucial.

Conclusion

External assets are indispensable for modern businesses, but their security relevance is often underestimated. Without proper inventory and effective security measures, they can become gateways for attacks or lead to significant financial and legal issues. Companies that actively manage and protect their external assets not only secure their IT landscape but also build trust with customers and partners. In a world that is increasingly interconnected, this proactive approach is a critical competitive advantage.