Hackers Exploiting Vulnerabilities at Alarming Speed: The Urgent Need for Immediate Updates

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Hackers Exploiting Vulnerabilities at Alarming Speed: The Urgent Need for Immediate Updates
CYBERSECURITYHackingSOFTWARE UPDATES
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New research reveals that hackers are moving faster than ever, with the average time to exploit a vulnerability dropping to just 48 minutes. The findings underscore the critical importance of keeping software updated to prevent attacks.

Recent confirmations emphasize the critical importance of prompt software updates . Hackers are exhibiting alarmingly fast speeds, managing to transition from initial access to lateral movement within a system in just 48 minutes on average. This represents a 22% increase from the previous year's findings. The speed at which these attacks unfold leaves organizations with minimal time to react, highlighting the crucial role of automated defenses in mitigating the threat.

ReliaQuest's 2024 research reveals that the average breakout time – the time it takes hackers to move from initial access to lateral movement within a system – has surged to 48 minutes. The fastest incident observed achieved lateral movement in a mere 27 minutes. This rapid infiltration significantly reduces the window for organizations to respond effectively. Irene Fuentes McDonnell, a cyber threat researcher at ReliaQuest, stresses the importance of timely response, warning that organizations need to act swiftly to prevent potentially devastating consequences such as data exfiltration, ransomware deployment, data loss, reputational damage, and financial losses. However, breakout time is not the only speed-related statistic that demands attention. Equally concerning is the 18-day timeframe hackers require to launch an attack after discovering a vulnerability, marking a 62% decrease from the 47-day average in 2023. This alarming reduction underscores the critical need for prompt software updates following the release of patches. Delays in patching vulnerabilities leave organizations vulnerable to exploitation, inviting hackers to launch attacks

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