The cybersecurity environment is changing at a dizzying pace. Until recently, the priority was to stop malware, but today the latest data shows a clear shift in trends. According to the Global Threat Report, as many as 75% of today’s attacks are no longer based on malware, but on the theft of authentication data. This shift in focus means that organizations must urgently review and upgrade their protection mechanisms. The main target of attacks has become user identity – an extremely sensitive element, yet crucial for accessing company resources.
Active Directory – the central point of attacks
Experts warn that Active Directory (AD) – a widely used identity management system in enterprises – is a particularly vulnerable target. More than half of the documented cyberattacks in the last two years have targeted this area. The reason is obvious: taking over AD gives cybercriminals the ability to move around the entire infrastructure. One stolen account opens up opportunities for further attacks.
This phenomenon is confirmed, among other things, by the growing number of offers to sell access data on darknet forums and a 600% increase in Kerberoasting attacks. Digital identity has thus become one of the most sought-after “commodities” in the world of cybercrime.
Time for a change of approach – proactive defense
Traditional solutions, such as antivirus programs and firewalls, are unable to effectively stop attacks based on identity theft. A person logging in with the correct password rarely arouses suspicion. That is why it is crucial to introduce technologies focused on real-time identity monitoring and protection.
Modern platforms—such as CrowdStrike Falcon Identity Protection—are based on three pillars:
- Comprehensive visibility – continuous monitoring of AD configurations and detection of vulnerabilities such as duplicate or easily cracked passwords.
- Real-time protection – blocking attempts at abuse before they can develop, e.g., forcing immediate password changes or flagging unusual logins.
- Dynamic risk response – automatic adjustment of security policies, e.g., introducing additional verification (MFA) for accounts showing suspicious activity.
In this approach, passwords are no longer the only “key” to the system, and security begins with flexible identity management.
Automation – the foundation of future security
In a world where cyberattacks are developing rapidly and vulnerabilities can appear at any moment, manual security management is becoming insufficient. Automated audits and continuous monitoring are playing an increasingly important role. Next-generation systems not only identify and eliminate vulnerabilities, but also make decisions themselves in response to threats.
Cybersecurity is entering a new era, in which the focus of the battle is shifting from devices to identity. Companies that fail to implement modern identity protection methods risk becoming easy targets for the most advanced forms of cyberattacks. Automation and intelligent defense systems are not the future—they are a necessity today.
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