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The principle of assumed breaches is a security posture and strategy that an organization adopts, acknowledging that breaches can and will occur, and therefore the focus should be on minimizing the impact of those breaches and having robust detection and response procedures in place. In the context of the MS-900 Microsoft 365 Fundamentals exam, understanding the principle of assumed breaches is crucial, as it informs various security protocols and features within the Microsoft 365 suite.
This principle is anchored on the reality that attackers continue to grow more sophisticated in their tactics, techniques, and procedures. Security measures are essential, but it is presumptive to believe they will thwart every attack. Instead, by assuming that an organization’s systems and networks may already be compromised or will be, a more resilient defense strategy is created.
Microsoft 365 employs a layered defense mechanism to ensure that if one layer is breached, others will still function to protect the network and data. Some of these layers include:
Detection and response capabilities are a core part of assuming breaches. Microsoft 365 offers several tools to monitor, detect, and respond to suspicious activities:
The assumed breaches principle dovetails with the Zero Trust security model, which takes the approach of “never trust, always verify.” Every access request is fully authenticated, authorized, and encrypted before access is granted, regardless of where the request originates or what resource it accesses.
Part of the strategy involves education and fostering awareness among employees. Microsoft 365 supports this with tools and features such as Microsoft Secure Score, which helps organizations measure and understand their security posture.
Consider a scenario where an attacker has compromised an employee’s credentials. With an assumed breach mentality, the organization would have multi-factor authentication (MFA) in place. Even with the correct credentials, the attacker would need a second form of authentication to gain access, something they are unlikely to have.
Another example could be the implementation of advanced threat protection solutions like Microsoft Defender for Office 365. If an employee clicks a malicious link, the assumed breach principle means there are still security layers in place that can detect and neutralize the threat before it causes significant damage.
In conclusion, the principle of assumed breaches represents a shift from traditional protection efforts to a more rounded strategy that includes prevention, detection, response, and recovery. The Microsoft 365 suite is designed with this principle in mind, and gaining a solid understanding of this concept is pivotal for successfully navigating the MS-900 Microsoft 365 Fundamentals exam.
The principle of assumed breaches involves assuming that breaches can and will occur, thereby focusing on detection, response, and recovery efforts in addition to preventive measures.
Answer: B) Believing the network is already compromised
The principle of assumed breaches emphasizes operating as if the network is already compromised and emphasizes preparation for detection, response, and recovery.
The principle of assumed breaches does not suggest abandoning perimeter security measures but rather complementing them with comprehensive detection and response strategies.
Answer: A) Regular security training for employees, C) Frequent penetration testing
Regular training and frequent penetration testing are part of a proactive security stance that assumes breaches can occur, focusing on preparation and resilience.
The principle of assumed breaches is a proactive approach that involves anticipating security incidents and preparing for them rather than only focusing on preventing them.
Answer: C) Guaranteed prevention of security breaches
The principle of assumed breaches does not guarantee the prevention of breaches but rather improves readiness to respond to and recover from potential incidents.
Answer: C) Consider the entire lifecycle of a breach, from prevention to recovery
Adopting this principle involves considering all aspects of a breach, including prevention, detection, response, and recovery.
Microsoft 365’s Advanced Threat Protection and Secure Score are designed to improve security posture through proactive measures and assessments, aligning with the principle of assumed breaches.
Answer: A) Reducing the attack surface
Reducing the attack surface is a central concept in assuming breaches, as it involves minimizing the number of potential entry points for attackers.
The Zero Trust model complements the principle of assumed breaches, as it operates on the assumption that trust can be exploited and therefore verification is required at all times.
Answer: C) Include regular backups and failover capabilities
Recovery strategies should be proactive and include regular backups and failover capabilities to ensure business continuity in the event of a breach.
Sharing information about potential threats with industry peers can help organizations stay aware of new risks and collectively improve their defenses, in line with the principle of assumed breaches.
The “Assume Breach” principle is a cybersecurity approach that assumes that an attacker has already infiltrated the network and works to identify and mitigate any vulnerabilities that the attacker could exploit. This approach is designed to detect and respond to security threats more quickly and effectively.
The “Assume Breach” principle is important because it helps organizations to be more proactive in their approach to security. By assuming that an attacker has already gained access, organizations can focus on identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities before an attack occurs.
Key components of the “Assume Breach” methodology include continuous monitoring, threat intelligence, penetration testing, vulnerability scanning, and incident response planning.
Organizations can implement the “Assume Breach” principle by regularly assessing and testing their security measures, monitoring for unusual activity, and developing incident response plans.
Benefits of the “Assume Breach” principle include improved security posture, faster incident response times, and reduced risk of data loss or theft.
Proactive cybersecurity approaches focus on identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by attackers, while reactive approaches focus on detecting and responding to attacks after they have occurred.
Organizations can use threat intelligence to identify and understand the latest security threats and to develop proactive measures to mitigate these threats. Threat intelligence can also help organizations to better understand their own vulnerabilities and risk exposure.
Common tools and techniques used in the “Assume Breach” methodology include penetration testing, vulnerability scanning, endpoint detection and response (EDR) systems, security information and event management (SIEM) systems, and incident response planning.
Employee training is a key component of implementing the “Assume Breach” principle. By educating employees on security best practices and how to identify and report potential security threats, organizations can improve their overall security posture and reduce the risk of successful attacks.
Organizations can ensure that they are following the “Assume Breach” principle effectively by regularly testing their security measures, monitoring for unusual activity, and reviewing and updating their incident response plans as needed. Continuous improvement and adaptation are key to the success of the “Assume Breach” methodology.
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