Your security perimeter is more complex and difficult to defend than ever before. Your business-critical resources may be in your own data center, the public cloud, a SaaS service, or an outsourced supplier. Attackers are taking advantage of this complexity and are now focused on the quickest path through your security perimeter: Identities. Using various tactics to compromise user credentials, including Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) fatigue, credential stuffing, and malware, bad actors now seek to infiltrate systems and gain unauthorized access by “logging in,” not “breaking in.”

According to a recent study by Security.org, corporate account takeover incidents continue to increase year-over-year, with an average loss of nearly $5 million per incident. These numbers paint a stark picture of the financial and reputational damage that identity-based attacks can inflict on organizations.

Your traditional security controls are not designed to protect you from identity-based attacks.User-focused methods of attack are particularly concerning because they bypass traditional security measures like network and malware-based access controls. While your firewall and other controls play important roles in your security, they can't protect you from the human element or the possibility of compromised credentials.

Understanding Identity Threat Detection & Response (ITDR)

ITDR is an advanced security layer within your Identity & Access Management (IAM) framework. Identity solutions have traditionally been focused on two things: preventing identity security risks and enabling user access. This has resulted in a major gap in most modern identity deployments - namely, the “detection” and “response” of identity security risks. ITDR is like a hawk circling overhead, constantly on the lookout for potential threats that traditional IAM controls, like access management portals, strong authentication, life-cycle management automation or privileged access tools, might miss.

Most practitioners agree that ITDR is not a particular set of tools but rather “a discipline”. This means that while one or more tools and integrations will be required, of equal importance are the people and processes that apply and operate these tools. Your ITDR practice will integrate closely with both your existing IAM controls, your incident response and your Security Operations Center (SOC) functions. This seamless integration ensures that ITDR can leverage existing user data and access controls to create a more comprehensive security posture while at the same time invoking your existing response mechanisms should they be required. Your SOC team is likely stretched thin and lacks the relevant information and skills to act on complex identity threats in real time. ITDR will deliver a specialized set of tools and processes to enable them.

With continuous monitoring of user behavior to identify anomalies, ITDR solutions extend the reach of IAM, providing an extra layer of defense against evolving identity based threats. With the capability for automated response, threats can often be mitigated before they start to impact your organization and consume your precious human resources.

IAM + ITDR = Enhanced Identity Security

Building a wall around your castle simply isn't enough when user credentials are all it takes to work around your defenses.

Building a comprehensive security strategy involves more than just fortifying the perimeter. When it comes to IAM, the focus is on bolstering the frontline of defense - the users. IAM solutions are designed to implement role-based access controls (RBAC) that adhere to the principle of least privilege. This approach ensures that users are granted only the minimum level of access necessary to carry out their job functions, thereby minimizing the potential impact of security breaches.

Traditionally, IAM tools have excelled at enabling access and thwarting security threats. However, they can fall short in the realm of threat detection and response. While general-purpose tools such as firewalls, antivirus software, security information and event management (SIEM) systems, and intrusion detection systems serve a vital role in security, they are not tailored to address the unique identity-related threats that organizations face. As a result, SOCs may lack the specific threat intelligence and workflows necessary to investigate and respond effectively to identity-based risks.

This is where ITDR practices come into play. By integrating identity context, threat information, and customized remediation processes into your existing IAM, ITDR enhances your overall security posture, especially in areas vulnerable to identity-specific threats.

Key Functionalities ITDR Adds to your IAM Strategy

Adding ITDR to your IAM program gives you real-time threat detection and response capabilities and advanced visibility into the identity-specific vulnerabilities that can enable these threats.

You could think of IAM as a way of locking the doors to your castle and ITDR as a vigilant security guard patrolling the halls after the doors are locked. MFA, access controls, privileged access tools, and identity lifecycle process automation ensure that only authorized personnel enter, but ITDR continuously monitors their behavior to identify any suspicious activity that might indicate a compromised account or malicious intent.

ITDR takes your security a step beyond prevention. ITDR solutions analyze user behavior in real time and correlate that with configuration best practices and normal behavior for that user. Some examples of advanced detection that ITDR can provide include:

• Dormant users that are suddenly accessing important information
• Users connecting to many machines at once for the first time
• Users with admin privileges that are using well-known passwords
• Directory services configured insecurely or with legacy protocols enabled
• Custom detections unique to the organization, such as accessing the crown jewel database from a new location

Detecting these types of threats requires identity-specific context and the ability to work across multiple vendors—exactly what ITDR tools were designed to do.

In addition to providing identity-specific detections, any deviation from normal user patterns raises a red flag, prompting ITDR to investigate further.

This real-time threat detection can help you identify and respond to potential security breaches before they escalate into full-blown disasters. Your multi-factor authentication might prevent the initial login attempt, but ITDR can warn you about the intruder's unusual activity so your security teams can take swift action to lock down the compromised account or isolate the affected system.

Of course, tools are only part of the solution. Any effective ITDR program will require the right people and processes to establish a structured, repeatable approach that can be maintained efficiently over time.

ITDR enhances your overall security posture by filling the gaps in your IAM strategy, ensuring that only the right users have access, and providing real-time threat detection to reduce the risk of breaches.

Building a Robust Identity Security Posture

ITDR fills a critical gap in your identity perimeter. By integrating ITDR with a robust IAM strategy, organizations can build a comprehensive defense against sophisticated cyberattacks. KeyData operates a managed ITDR service with tools and personnel to complement and enhance your existing detection and response capabilities.

As a recognized IAM leader with over 1,000 successful deployments throughout North America, KeyData has the knowledge and expertise to design, develop, and implement industry-leading IAM technologies. Our team of IAM experts can help you assess your security posture and develop a customized roadmap for incorporating ITDR in your identity management strategy.

Ready to learn more?

Send us your questions or schedule an assessment today with one of our KeyData experts. Together, we can build a more secure future for your organization.