The final stage of the Cyber Kill Chain, action on objectives, represents the culmination of an attacker’s efforts. At this stage, attackers attempt to achieve their goals, which could include data theft, deploying ransomware, causing system damage, or establishing long-term persistence within the network. This is the point where an attack has the greatest potential to cause significant harm to an organisation. However, reaching this stage doesn’t mean it’s too late to stop the attacker. Syscomm’s defence in depth strategy is designed to detect, disrupt, and mitigate attacks even at this critical phase, minimising damage and ensuring rapid recovery.
Attackers’ objectives vary widely depending on their motives. A financially driven threat actor might focus on encrypting data to demand a ransom, while a nation-state actor might aim to exfiltrate sensitive information. Regardless of their intent, attackers rely on maintaining access, navigating through systems, and avoiding detection to execute their plans. Syscomm’s multi-layered approach focuses on breaking the attack chain by monitoring critical systems, restricting access, and enabling rapid incident response.
At the core of Syscomm’s strategy is Data Loss Prevention (DLP). DLP solutions monitor the flow of sensitive data within the organisation, ensuring that it cannot be accessed, modified, or exfiltrated without authorisation. For example, if an attacker attempts to transfer confidential files to an external server, the DLP system can block the transfer and alert security teams. By enforcing strict data handling policies, Syscomm ensures that attackers cannot achieve their objectives related to data theft or manipulation.
Syscomm’s SIEM and Threat Analytics platforms provide critical visibility during this phase. By aggregating and analysing logs from endpoints, servers, and network devices, these platforms can detect anomalies indicative of an attacker’s final-stage activities. For instance, unusual spikes in data transfers, privilege escalations, or attempts to disable security tools can all signal that an attack is entering its endgame. SIEM systems generate real-time alerts, enabling security teams to act swiftly to contain the threat.
Access Control and Privileged Access Management (PAM) are essential in limiting attackers’ ability to achieve their objectives. Syscomm ensures that only authorised users have access to critical systems and data. PAM solutions restrict the use of privileged accounts, making it difficult for attackers to escalate their permissions and execute malicious actions. For example, even if an attacker compromises a low-level account, PAM policies prevent them from gaining access to higher-level systems without additional layers of verification.
Syscomm’s Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) tools also play a vital role in neutralising threats during the action on objectives stage. EDR systems continuously monitor endpoint activity for signs of malicious behaviour, such as unauthorised file encryption, data exfiltration attempts, or the execution of ransomware scripts. By detecting and quarantining affected endpoints, EDR tools stop attackers in their tracks and prevent the spread of the attack across the network.
Network Segmentation is another key defence against attackers’ objectives. By dividing the network into isolated segments, Syscomm ensures that even if attackers gain access to one area, they cannot easily move laterally to access critical assets. For instance, a breach in a non-critical segment of the network cannot impact systems hosting sensitive data. This containment strategy not only limits the scope of an attack but also buys time for defenders to respond effectively.
Syscomm’s Threat Intelligence feeds into all its defences, ensuring that organisations are prepared for the latest attacker techniques and objectives. By integrating intelligence on emerging threats, Syscomm helps customers proactively adjust their security measures. For example, if a ransomware variant is known to target specific industries, Syscomm can pre-emptively configure defences to detect and block its activities.
Beyond technical measures, Syscomm recognises the importance of incident response in mitigating the impact of attackers’ actions. Even if an attacker manages to execute part of their plan, Syscomm’s incident response teams are ready to act quickly to isolate affected systems, remove malicious artefacts, and restore operations. These teams use advanced forensic tools to understand the attack and implement measures to prevent future incidents.
Human factors remain a focus in Syscomm’s defence strategy. User training and awareness help employees recognise and report suspicious activities that might indicate an attacker is attempting to achieve their objectives. For instance, a user who notices files being encrypted unexpectedly or a system behaving erratically can alert the security team, enabling a faster response.
Syscomm also emphasises business continuity and disaster recovery as part of its action on objectives strategy. By maintaining secure backups and robust recovery plans, Syscomm ensures that organisations can quickly recover from incidents like ransomware attacks. Even if attackers manage to encrypt data or disrupt operations, the ability to restore systems from clean backups minimises downtime and financial impact.
The action on objectives phase is where attackers aim to deliver the final blow, but with Syscomm’s layered defence strategy, organisations can effectively neutralise their efforts. By combining advanced tools like DLP, EDR, and SIEM with proactive measures like segmentation, threat intelligence, and user training, Syscomm ensures that attackers face insurmountable obstacles even at this stage.
This concludes our blog series on breaking the Cyber Kill Chain. From reconnaissance to action on objectives, Syscomm’s defence in depth strategy demonstrates how a comprehensive, layered approach can protect organisations at every stage of an attack. If you’re ready to strengthen your security posture and ensure your business is prepared to counter evolving threats, contact Syscomm today to learn more.