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Decoding the CTEM Concept in the Information Security Industry

 

Decoding the CTEM Concept in the Information Security Industry

When businesses and organizations undergo digital transformation, the cyber threats they face grow at an accelerated pace. Consequently, they are confronted with increasingly sophisticated threats and the need for solutions to address vulnerabilities more quickly and effectively.

Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) – also known as Continuous Threat Exposure Management or Managing Continuous Threat Exposure Levels, is a process designed to address this issue effectively. According to Gartner, by 2026, organizations prioritizing CTEM programs are expected to be three times less likely to experience breaches.

In this article, VNCS will explain the core information about CTEM, including its stages, advantages, challenges, and how it applies in Vietnam's context.

CTEM is a concept that, while still relatively new in Vietnam, is increasingly drawing attention in the information security field. It is not only a potential method for risk management but also a comprehensive approach to optimizing organizations' defensive and response capabilities against cyber threats.

Comparing Traditional Vulnerability Management Programs with CTEM

Traditional Vulnerability Management:

  • These approaches are primarily reactive, with organizations addressing vulnerabilities only after discovering a threat and performing periodic risk assessments.
  • Given the evolving nature of modern cyber threats, this approach is no longer sufficient.

How CTEM Differs:

  • CTEM shifts the focus from reactive responses to proactive monitoring and threat prediction by identifying vulnerabilities before they are exploited.
  • This allows organizations to respond to cybersecurity risks faster with a continuous and proactive approach, rather than waiting for an attack to occur.

Traditional methods usually cover the organization's entire IT and digital infrastructure but do not go as in-depth as CTEM. CTEM takes a multi-dimensional approach by considering intelligence data, threat analysis, and risk from different perspectives.

With the current pace of digital transformation and the rise of cyber threats, CTEM offers a more systematic, practical, and flexible approach. It enables organizations to prioritize and improve their defensive capabilities in real time.

The 5 Stages of CTEM

Stage 1: Scoping – Defining the Scope

The initial step is identifying the organization's attack surface, extending beyond traditional assets. This includes:

  • External attack surface: Any potential entry points from outside the organization.
  • SaaS security status: With the growing use of SaaS platforms and remote working trends, vulnerabilities within SaaS services must be evaluated.

Stage 2: Discovery – Identification

This stage focuses on identifying assets and vulnerabilities within the defined scope, such as:

  • Online code repositories (e.g., GitHub, Bitbucket)
  • Company social media accounts
  • Third-party software vulnerabilities and cloud services risks
  • Operational risks and other latent vulnerabilities

Note: Discovery should focus on relevant risk scope rather than simply the number of vulnerabilities identified.

Stage 3: Prioritization – Risk Prioritization

Prioritize assets and vulnerabilities that require immediate attention based on:

  • Level of risk and criticality
  • Ability to mitigate risks
  • Organizational risk tolerance

Stage 4: Validation – Assessment

This stage simulates potential attack scenarios to:

  • Assess whether existing security measures can detect and mitigate risks effectively.
  • Verify if vulnerabilities are actively being exploited and gather consensus from relevant parties.

Stage 5: Mobilization – Deployment

The final stage focuses on implementing findings and taking action. This ensures:

  • Security processes are streamlined and without barriers.
  • Integration of security initiatives with automated workflows and business objectives.

CTEM is more than just a tool—it is an effective, flexible, and continuous process that enables organizations to reduce risks by monitoring threats and responding promptly.

The Role of CTEM in Modern Security

  1. Improving Network Resilience: CTEM evaluates risks across all assets (visible and latent) and uses iterative processes to strengthen an organization's network resilience over time.
  2. Proactive Risk Management: CTEM allows organizations to predict risks and minimize their impact before they escalate.
  3. Enhancing Adaptability: Cyber threats evolve constantly, and CTEM provides flexibility by adjusting defense strategies in real time.
  4. Aligning Security with Business Goals: CTEM ensures that security measures support business operations without impeding them.
  5. Reducing Costs: Early detection and mitigation of risks lower costs associated with security breaches and incident response.
  6. Providing Actionable Insights: Real-time data analysis gives organizations the ability to evaluate security effectiveness and refine strategies.

Challenges in Deploying CTEM

  1. Lack of Specialized Skills:

    • CTEM requires expertise spanning cybersecurity, risk management, compliance, and legal domains. A shortage of skilled personnel can be a barrier.

  2. Cross-Team Understanding and Collaboration:

    • CTEM demands collaboration between technical and non-technical teams. Misalignment or lack of understanding between departments can hinder implementation.

  3. Resource and Budget Constraints:

    • CTEM has a broader scope compared to traditional methods and may require organizations to secure additional investment in personnel, infrastructure, and technical resources.

Why is CTEM an Inevitable Trend?

With cyberattacks growing more complex, relying solely on detection tools is no longer sufficient. CTEM introduces a continuous, proactive approach to threat exposure management by enabling organizations to:

  • Anticipate emerging threats.
  • Shift from passive defense to active, proactive security strategies.
  • Ensure sustainable growth in a volatile digital environment.

In Vietnam, CTEM is particularly well-suited for:

  • Large organizations (e.g., banks, government entities) dealing with advanced persistent threats (APTs) or ransomware.
  • Digital transformation enterprises managing risks related to complex systems, cloud assets, or IoT integration.
  • Compliance requirements like ISO 27001, Decree 85/2016/NĐ-CP, and others.

CTEM is more than a concept; it is a strategic key for businesses striving for secure growth and competitive advantage in the digital age. With VNCS's expertise and advanced solutions, organizations can integrate CTEM seamlessly into their operations.

Bringing CTEM to Reality with VNCS’s Solutions

VNCS offers solutions to implement CTEM through partnerships with leading cybersecurity technology providers. These solutions include:

1. Risk Detection and Prioritization

  • CrowdStrike: Advanced endpoint threat detection using threat intelligence and behavioral monitoring.
  • Invicti: Real-time web and API vulnerability detection and management.
  • Splunk: Data integration and real-time threat detection using analytics.
  • SIEM (Security Information and Event Management): Centralized analysis for real-time incident monitoring.

2. Penetration Testing & Security Assessment

  • Checkmarx: Source code analysis to detect vulnerabilities early in the software development lifecycle.
  • Radware: Simulated attacks to assess defense capabilities.
  • Pentest (Penetration Testing): Simulated attack exercises to identify vulnerabilities and evaluate security posture.

3. Strengthening Security Infrastructure

  • Forescout: Network visibility and control to secure devices remotely.
  • BeyondTrust: Monitoring and managing privileged access to minimize internal threats.
  • SOC (Security Operations Center): Real-time monitoring and incident response centers to analyze threats and coordinate rapid action.

VNCS can optimize CTEM deployment tailored to every organization's size and needs by integrating these comprehensive solutions.

Contact VNCS Today

📧 Email: sales@vncs.vn
📞 Hotline: (+84) 924 37 37 37

Optimize your cybersecurity defense strategies with VNCS as your trusted partner in implementing Continuous Threat Exposure Management.