Enterprise and Critical Infrastructure Threats from Unpatched and Unmanaged Devices
Recent research highlights that enterprise networks are increasingly vulnerable due to a high prevalence of legacy, end-of-life (EOL) systems, unpatched devices, and poor network segmentation. Telemetry from over 27 million devices across 1,800 enterprises reveals that 26% of Linux and 8% of Windows systems are running unsupported operating systems, with 39% of IT devices lacking active endpoint security. Additionally, a significant portion of devices operate outside IT control, and 77% of corporate networks are poorly segmented, allowing low-security devices to share network space with high-value assets, increasing the risk of lateral movement by attackers.
Simultaneously, critical infrastructure sectors such as energy, healthcare, government, and transportation are experiencing a surge in cyberattacks targeting IoT and Android devices. Attackers are exploiting the interconnectedness of these industries for financial gain, with the U.S. being the primary target. The rise in attacks underscores the need for stringent tracking of user behaviors, robust access controls, accurate asset inventories, and improved network segmentation to mitigate risks posed by unmanaged and vulnerable devices in both enterprise and critical infrastructure environments.
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