Attack surface

What is the attack surface?

The attack surface refers to the collection of entry points that a cybercriminal could exploit to try to gain access to a company’s systems. It includes devices, applications, users, cloud services, and any other resource connected to the network.

Why is it a key concept in cyber security?

Because the larger the attack surface, the more opportunities an attacker has to find a vulnerability. Attack surface management enables companies to identify, monitor, and reduce these exposure points, thereby strengthening their overall security posture.

How is it managed in practice?

Companies implement strategies such as asset inventory, removal of unnecessary services, system updates, network segmentation, and the use of continuous monitoring tools.

In addition, practices like Zero Trust and cyber intelligence help limit and monitor the attack surface in complex, multicloud environments.

See also

• Microsegmentation: the decisive response against attackers’ lateral movement
• Attack surface management (ASM) with AI
• From VPN to Zero Trust: the future of secure remote access