Lateral Movement: How Cybercriminals Navigate Your Network Unnoticed

1. Definition

Lateral movement refers to a tactic used by cybercriminals to navigate through a company’s internal network after gaining initial access. Instead of immediately attacking the primary target, hackers use this technique to explore the network, gather information, and escalate privileges. By moving “laterally” across different systems, they can identify sensitive data, valuable assets, or weaknesses within the network. For executives, understanding lateral movement is key, as it is often a precursor to more severe attacks, such as data breaches or ransomware deployment.

2. History

The concept of lateral movement emerged in the early days of network security when attackers began to realize the advantage of stealth within a network environment. Initially, attacks were more direct, aiming at single entry points. However, as cybersecurity defenses evolved, hackers adopted lateral movement tactics to avoid detection and achieve their objectives more effectively. Today, lateral movement is a standard technique in advanced persistent threats (APTs), where hackers spend weeks or even months moving undetected within a network to maximize damage or exfiltrate sensitive information.

3. Examples of Business Impact

  • Target Data Breach (2013): In one of the most well-known cases, attackers infiltrated Target’s network through a third-party vendor. Once inside, they moved laterally across the network, eventually accessing the company’s point-of-sale systems and stealing credit card information of over 40 million customers. This attack not only resulted in financial losses but also damaged Target’s reputation and led to costly legal consequences.
  • Equifax Breach (2017): In the Equifax data breach, hackers exploited a known vulnerability to gain access. They then moved laterally within the network for months, extracting sensitive data, including personal information of 147 million individuals. The breach exposed Equifax to substantial regulatory fines, lawsuits, and long-term reputational damage.
  • NotPetya Ransomware Attack (2017): The NotPetya attack used a combination of exploits and lateral movement techniques to spread across corporate networks. The ransomware affected global companies, causing extensive downtime and billions in damages. It demonstrated how lateral movement could accelerate the spread of malware within a network, magnifying its impact.

4. Insight

Mitigating the risk of lateral movement involves a multi-layered approach to cybersecurity. Implementing network segmentation can limit the pathways available for hackers, containing their movement within isolated sections of the network. Additionally, regularly monitoring network traffic for unusual patterns can help detect unauthorized lateral movement early. Engaging a Fractional Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) can ensure that your organization has the right strategies in place to detect, contain, and respond to lateral movement attempts, protecting your critical assets.

5. Call to Action (CTA)

Prevent lateral movement before it compromises your entire network. To learn more about our security assessments and strategic consulting or Contact us for a free consultation to discuss how our Fractional CISO services can strengthen your cybersecurity defenses.