The cyber perimeter was never dead. We just abandoned it.
Summary
The article argues that the cyber perimeter is not dead but has been neglected, creating significant vulnerabilities. Attackers exploit unsupported hardware and weak authentication at the network edge, with initiatives like FBI's Operation Winter SHIELD and CISA's BOD 26-02 addressing this issue by emphasizing asset lifecycle management and the removal of outdated edge devices.
IFF Assessment
The article highlights widespread neglect of basic cybersecurity fundamentals, specifically the edge perimeter, which directly benefits attackers by providing them with accessible footholds.
Defender Context
Defenders need to re-evaluate and reinforce their network edge security, prioritizing the lifecycle management of all hardware and ensuring that unsupported or outdated devices are retired promptly. The shift to cloud environments should not lead to the abandonment of fundamental perimeter defense, as attackers are actively exploiting these neglected areas.