The recent disclosure of a critical vulnerability in Fortinet's FortiManager platform (CVE-2024-47575) serves as yet another wake-up call for organizations relying heavily on perimeter-based security controls. With a CVSS score of 9.8 out of 10, this vulnerability allows unauthorized attackers to potentially access and exfiltrate sensitive configuration data from thousands of exposed devices worldwide.
Why Perimeter Security Alone Is No Longer Enough
This incident highlights several key challenges with traditional perimeter-focused security:
- Single Point of Failure: When centralized management platforms are compromised, attackers can potentially gain access to entire networks of connected devices.
- Growing Attack Surface: As organizations expand their digital footprint, the perimeter becomes increasingly complex and difficult to defend.
- Zero Trust Reality: The assumption that devices within the network can be trusted is increasingly dangerous in today's threat landscape.
Moving Toward Data-Centric Security
A modern security architecture requires protecting data itself, not just the end points, networks, and applications that house it. This approach includes:
- Object-level encryption that travels with the data
- Granular access controls applied directly to data objects
- Policy enforcement that persists regardless of where data resides
- Use of open standards like Trusted Data Format (TDF) that enable interoperability and long-term access control
Balancing Old and New
Organizations don't need to abandon perimeter security entirely. Instead, a balanced approach is needed:
- Maintain traditional perimeter defenses while acknowledging their limitations
- Gradually implement data-centric controls for your most sensitive information that is often shared via email, file, and SaaS applications workflows.
- Leverage open standards like Trusted Data Format (TDF) to ensure long-term accessibility and avoid vendor lock-in
- Implement security controls that follow the data through its entire lifecycle, and enable advanced controls like revocation and expiry even after information has been shared with others
Best Practices for Getting Started
- Discover and identify your most sensitive data assets
- Evaluate open standards and solutions that support data-centric security
- Start small with pilot projects focused on high-value data
- Measure effectiveness and adjust based on results
Conclusion
The Fortinet vulnerability reminds us that perimeter security, while important, cannot be our only line of defense. By implementing data-centric security controls using open standards like TDF and products like those offered by Virtru, organizations can better protect their information assets regardless of where they reside or who they have been shared with.