As digital infrastructures expand and evolve, hidden cyber risks pose a significant challenge to network security. These often-overlooked vulnerabilities can reside deep within an organization’s infrastructure, bypassing traditional security measures and leaving systems exposed to potential breaches.
In 2024, the average cost of a data breach reached $4.88 million, marking a 10% increase from the previous year. Additionally, 68% of breaches involved a human element, underscoring the critical need for comprehensive security measures. Unlike more visible threats that might trigger immediate responses, hidden risks can go undetected and unmitigated, allowing attackers to infiltrate networks and move laterally with minimal disruption.
Let’s explore some of the most common hidden cyber risks, the threats they pose to network security, and how Zero Networks’ innovative approach provides comprehensive solutions for managing and preventing them.
Understanding Hidden Cyber Risks
Hidden cyber risks refer to those vulnerabilities within a network that often remain unmitigated due to the complexity and scale of modern IT infrastructures. Unlike obvious threats that typically trigger immediate alerts, hidden risks can quietly exist within systems, exposing critical assets without drawing attention. These risks may stem from various factors, such as outdated software, misconfigured settings, shadow IT (unapproved devices or applications), overly permissive access controls, and insufficient identity segmentation to distinguish authorized users and roles.
This year alone, 61% of organizations experienced a serious security incident due to shadow IT, highlighting the significant risks posed by unapproved devices and applications within networks. Left unaddressed, these hidden gaps create entry points for attackers, allowing them to infiltrate networks with minimal detection.
One of the most dangerous aspects of hidden cyber risks is their capacity to enable lateral movement within a network. Once attackers gain initial access, they can exploit these unseen vulnerabilities to move between systems, expanding their reach and gaining access to sensitive data or critical infrastructure. This type of movement often goes undetected and unmitigated due to limited network segmentation and insufficient monitoring of internal traffic, allowing attackers to gradually gain control without triggering traditional security defenses. The longer these risks remain hidden, the more damage attackers can potentially inflict on the organization.
To address hidden cyber risks effectively, organizations need a proactive security approach that goes beyond traditional perimeter defenses. This includes implementing measures that mitigate unseen vulnerabilities, limit attackers’ movement, and provide clear visibility into network activity.
5 Key Hidden Cyber Risks
Hidden cyber risks can manifest in various forms, each presenting unique threats to an organization’s network security. While some vulnerabilities may appear relatively minor, they often serve as critical entry points for attackers, who leverage these weak spots to access deeper parts of the network. The following sections outline several significant hidden risks, detailing their potential impact and why addressing them is essential to maintaining a resilient network.
1. Unrestricted Lateral Movement
One of the most serious hidden cyber risks is unrestricted lateral movement within a network. Once an attacker gains initial access—often through a compromised account, phishing attack, or unpatched vulnerability—they can move laterally across the network to locate valuable assets and increase their control over the system. This movement is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to search for sensitive data, compromise additional systems, and escalate their privileges without drawing much attention.
In 2024, the average time for cybercriminals to move laterally within a network after initial compromise was recorded at just 2 minutes and 7 seconds, highlighting the rapid pace at which attackers can escalate their access. Lateral movement becomes possible when there is insufficient network segmentation and a lack of controls that limit users or devices to only the necessary parts of the network.
The primary threat posed by unrestricted lateral movement is the expansion of an attacker’s reach within the organization, which can result in a wide-scale breach that disrupts business operations, compromises sensitive data, and damages an organization’s reputation. According to Microsoft’s 2024 Digital Defense Report, 90% of organizations were found to be exposed to at least one attack path, indicating widespread vulnerabilities that facilitate lateral movement.
If attackers can move freely, they are more likely to identify critical vulnerabilities, exploit sensitive information, and even deploy ransomware across the network. Traditional perimeter defenses are often ineffective against this type of internal threat, as they are designed to block external threats rather than monitor and restrict movement within the network.
2. Shadow IT and Unsecured Devices
Shadow IT—applications, devices, or services used within an organization without explicit approval from the IT department—introduces hidden cyber risks that are challenging to monitor and control. Employees may install unapproved software, connect personal devices, or use unsanctioned cloud services, often to streamline their workflow. However, these unmonitored devices and applications bypass established security protocols, creating potential entry points for attackers. Without visibility into these assets, IT teams are left unaware of potential vulnerabilities that could expose the network to unauthorized access, data leakage, or malware infections.
41% of employees were found to use technology that the IT department couldn't see, indicating a significant presence of shadow IT within organizations. In addition, 57% of small and medium-sized businesses reported experiencing high-impact shadow IT, with 85% acknowledging that a team within their organization is currently using such unauthorized technology.
Unsecured devices are similarly problematic, particularly in organizations with a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policy or those with remote employees accessing the network from personal or mobile devices. These devices may lack the latest security patches or may not adhere to the organization’s security standards, making them susceptible to compromise.
3. Overly Permissive Access Controls
Overly permissive access controls represent a significant hidden cyber risk within many organizations. When access permissions are too broad or left unchecked, employees, contractors, or even automated processes may have unnecessary access to sensitive data and critical systems. This unrestricted access provides attackers with ample opportunity to exploit accounts with elevated privileges, especially if they can compromise one of these accounts through phishing or other social engineering attacks.
Data from CSO Online states that 99% of cloud identities were found to be overly permissive, granting excessive permissions that remained unused for extended periods. This widespread over-entitlement significantly increases the risk of unauthorized access and potential data breaches. Excessive permissions make it easier for attackers to escalate their privileges and move laterally within the network, heightening the potential impact of a breach.
Limiting access to only what is necessary for specific roles or tasks—known as the principle of least privilege—is essential for reducing this risk. By implementing a Zero Trust approach with identity-based access controls, organizations can enforce strict permissions that dynamically adjust based on factors such as user role, location, and device status. This minimizes the attack surface, reducing the chances of unauthorized access and preventing potential attackers from reaching sensitive areas within the network. Regularly reviewing and adjusting access permissions is also crucial to maintaining a resilient network architecture that guards against threats from within.
4. Lack of Visibility into Network Activity
A lack of visibility into network activity is a common and often overlooked cyber risk that can significantly weaken an organization’s security posture. Without a clear, real-time view of what is happening within the network, security teams struggle to detect abnormal activities that may signal a potential breach. This blind spot allows hidden threats, such as unauthorized access or suspicious lateral movement, to go unnoticed, enabling attackers to remain undetected and unmitigated for longer periods and inflict more damage. 39% of organizations still lack visibility into their third-party risks, underscoring ongoing challenges in achieving comprehensive network oversight. This insufficient visibility not only hinders detection and mitigation but also delays response efforts, increasing the potential impact of a security incident.
To effectively address this risk, organizations need comprehensive monitoring tools that provide detailed insights into network traffic and user behavior across all segments. By implementing solutions that enhance network visibility—such as automated microsegmentation—security teams can track movements within the network and quickly identify anomalies. This level of visibility enables proactive threat mitigation and rapid incident response, making it more difficult for attackers to operate freely. In a Zero Trust environment, where every interaction is treated as potentially suspicious, having complete visibility into network activity is essential for mitigating hidden risks.
5. Insufficient Incident Response for Segmented Networks
While network segmentation is a powerful tool for limiting the spread of attacks, it requires a strong incident response strategy to be fully effective. Without tailored response plans that account for segmented network architecture, organizations may struggle to contain and resolve incidents quickly.
When a breach occurs within a segmented network, inadequate response measures can allow attackers to move between segments or gain access to critical systems, thereby reducing the benefits of segmentation. Currently, the median time from compromise to data exfiltration has decreased to just two days, a significant reduction from nine days in 2021. Insufficient incident response for segmented networks can also slow down remediation efforts, leaving the organization vulnerable to prolonged or repeated attacks.
To address this gap, organizations should incorporate incident response protocols specifically designed for segmented environments. Automated tools that provide real-time alerts and support quick containment within specific segments are essential for minimizing the impact of breaches. By implementing pre-defined policies and automated responses, organizations can enhance their ability to contain threats within isolated segments, ensuring breaches are quickly managed before they escalate.
How Zero Networks Helps Mitigate Hidden Risks
Zero Networks equips organizations with innovative tools to mitigate hidden cyber risks, making it more challenging for attackers to exploit overlooked vulnerabilities. Key components of Zero Networks’ approach include:
Automated Microsegmentation
- Divides the network into isolated segments without manual configuration, allowing for granular policy enforcement.
- Prevents unauthorized lateral movement within the network by containing potential threats to individual segments.
- Limits attackers’ reach, ensuring that if one area is breached, access to other parts of the network remains restricted.
Identity-Based Access Controls
- Continuously verify and adjust user permissions based on role, location, device, and real-time behavior.
- Enforce strict, least-privilege access policies, ensuring that only authorized users have access to specific segments.
- Enable dynamic access control, adjusting permissions to mitigate evolving risks.
Enhanced Visibility and Real-Time Monitoring
- Provides real-time insights into network activity across all segments, making it easier to identify anomalies or potential breaches.
- Supports rapid incident response through automated alerts that notify security teams of unusual behavior.
- Strengthens overall security posture by reducing the likelihood of hidden risks slipping through undetected.
Through this combination of automated segmentation, identity-based access, and real-time monitoring, Zero Networks empowers organizations to proactively secure their networks against hidden threats, helping security teams respond swiftly and effectively to potential risks.
Building a Resilient Cybersecurity Framework with Zero Networks
A truly resilient cybersecurity framework requires more than just perimeter defenses; it demands an adaptive, Zero Trust approach that can handle both visible and hidden threats. Zero Networks provides a comprehensive suite of tools that not only protect against external threats but also manage internal risks, reinforcing the core pillars of cyber resilience. By integrating automated microsegmentation and identity-based access controls, Zero Networks enables organizations to build a security framework capable of adapting to the evolving threat landscape while minimizing vulnerabilities across all network segments.
Incorporating Zero Networks into a cybersecurity strategy allows organizations to transition from a reactive to a proactive security posture. Through automated, “set-and-forget” maintenance, Zero Networks simplifies the ongoing management of segmentation and access controls, allowing security teams to focus on strategic initiatives rather than routine configurations. This proactive approach ensures that all network areas remain secure without requiring extensive manual upkeep. Additionally, by continuously monitoring traffic patterns and user behavior, Zero Networks helps organizations identify potential threats before they escalate, reinforcing overall network integrity.
With organizations facing increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, Zero Networks’ scalable solutions ensure that businesses can grow and adapt their cybersecurity frameworks without disruption. With support for cloud environments, on-premise networks, and hybrid infrastructures, Zero Networks’ platform is designed to handle diverse IT environments, making it a foundational element for a resilient cybersecurity strategy. By leveraging Zero Networks’ tools, organizations can strengthen their defenses, enhance visibility, and establish a framework that not only responds to threats but also prevents them, supporting long-term resilience and peace of mind.
Protecting Against Hidden Risks: Zero Networks’ Role in Cyber Resilience
We live in a world where hidden cyber risks are growing in complexity, and the ability to mitigate these threats is crucial for maintaining a resilient network. By addressing challenges such as unrestricted lateral movement, shadow IT, and overly permissive access controls, organizations can significantly strengthen their security posture.
Zero Networks provides the tools necessary to tackle these hidden risks head-on, leveraging automated microsegmentation, identity-based access controls, and continuous monitoring to prevent potential breaches and contain threats effectively. With Zero Networks, organizations are equipped not only to defend against today’s threats, but to build a proactive and adaptable security framework for the future.