What is external attack surface management (EASM)?

External Attack Surface Management (EASM) includes the tools, technologies, and managed services designed to continuously scan, discover, and catalog internet-facing assets. EASM tools discover and identify exposures on both known and unknown systems, such as misconfigured public cloud services, unsecured servers, exposed credentials, and vulnerabilities in third-party software.

How does EASM work?

EASM tools continuously monitor and identify internet-facing assets, analyzing each discovered asset to assess its security posture. They detect vulnerabilities and misconfigurations that could be exploited by attackers, providing organizations with enhanced visibility and control over their external attack surface.

How does EASM differ from CAASM?

EASM (External Attack Surface Management) focuses on identifying, monitoring, and securing an organization’s internet-facing assets, such as public cloud services, servers, and exposed data, to protect against external threats. EASM tools provide visibility into vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers, helping prioritize risk mitigation for external assets.