Multi-Factor Authentication | Breaking Cybersecurity News | The Hacker News

Starting from ground 0 Active Directory is currently installed in over 90% of the Fortune 1000 companies . Because of its prevalence, and the value of the information it maintains, we know it's a primary target for threat actors.  To protect Active Directory and other valuable assets of similar sensitivity, Microsoft introduced the concept of the Red Forest, a security architecture designed to protect Active Directory forests from cyberattack. Red Forest worked to containerize a hardened forest, separate from other forests, using buffer zones and policies to restrict activity. This concept, also known as Enhanced Security Admin Environment ESAE) came about in 2014. The separation of high value, highly sensitive forests in Active Directory from other systems and assets is critically important to protect the content housed within. Using the most modern approach available at any given time will help to thwart threat actors who are continuously searching for a way to infiltrate yo...

Multi-factor authentication has long been touted to protect accounts. Organizations implement it, feel protected and move on. But today's attackers have evolved and so should defenses. Preventing access is ideal. But in the event a bad actor gets access, containment becomes a priority. Threat actors aren't always spending their time actively forcing their way into accounts. Instead, they're taking the easy route, logging in with stolen credentials and using MFA bypass techniques.  Account takeovers (ATO) lets attackers slip into organizational environments unnoticed , where they can move laterally, escalate privileges, and quietly steal valuable information and data. And now, they're increasingly logging in even with MFA in place. From social engineering to session hijacking, the tactics have become more sophisticated and more dangerous. The Reality: MFA Can Be Bypassed Authentication is still crucial for defense, but standard MFA is quickly being outmaneuvered by bad actors....

In just a few clicks, any SaaS app can turn into a company's go-to system for collaboration, record keeping, CRM, workflow organization, marketing, human resource management, and more. These apps can also act as footholds from which threat actors can pivot into corporate environments and steal critical data.  The rapid adoption of SaaS apps is outpacing the implementation of necessary security measures. The rise in attacks—such as account takeovers and credential leaks—highlights this gap. On the users' end, the responsibilities include taking a security-first approach to account configuration i.e., continuously monitoring for access risks and emerging threats to their data. But with so many users, so many apps and so much data, it's easier said than done.  What leaves companies exposed to data breaches and leaks is the lack of clarity, context, and prompt action. Security teams must make a massive effort to research threats, filter the relevant ones, assess the impact of p...