Attack profiling: how adversaries are shifting to small unexpected entry points

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Executive Summary

The modern threat landscape has undergone a fundamental transformation. Adversaries are no longer primarily targeting fortified perimeters through brute force exploits. Instead, they are systematically identifying and exploiting small, unexpected entry points that organizations frequently overlook. Recent data reveals that 79 percent of threat detections involve malware-free techniques¹, with attackers favoring identity compromise, cloud misconfigurations, and supply chain vulnerabilities over traditional endpoint attacks.

This strategic pivot reflects three converging realities. First, the attack surface has expanded exponentially through cloud adoption, IoT proliferation, and third-party integrations. Second, adversaries have industrialized their operations through cybercrime-as-a-service models, democratizing sophisticated tactics. Third, traditional perimeter defenses have matured to the point where direct assault carries prohibitive risk and cost.

The financial implications are stark. Organizations experiencing breaches with attacker dwell times exceeding 200 days incur an average of $102 million more in total costs compared to those achieving rapid containment². Supply chain breaches now affect over 80 percent of organizations³, while nation-state actors have increased activity by 150 percent, particularly targeting critical infrastructure through compromised IoT devices and stolen credentials¹.

For CISOs, this shift demands a fundamental rethinking of security architecture. The question is no longer whether an attacker can penetrate the perimeter, but how quickly defenders can detect and contain adversaries who have already gained access through subtle vectors. Organizations must transition from reactive, perimeter-focused defenses to proactive, identity-centric architectures built on Zero Trust principles and continuous attack surface management.

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