It's no secret that the digital world poses countless risks and security challenges for businesses of all sizes. To combat these threats effectively, it's crucial to understand the terminology associated with cyber risks. During discussions around cyber security, you are likely to encounter terms such as 'attack surface' and 'attack vector.' Let's untangle these technical terms and highlight the importance of addressing 'third party risk' as an aspect of your totality of cyber exposure.

What is an Attack Surface?

An 'attack surface' refers to the total number, and types, of the points where an unauthorized user (the attacker) can try to enter data to or extract data from an environment. This encompasses all the network endpoints, computing devices, and web applications accessible, either publicly or internally. As access points increase, so does the attack surface. In turn the risk of a security incident ascends.

An attack surface includes both physical and digital components and it's crucial to safeguard both. Physical components include computer hardware, while the digital strata covers software vulnerabilities, insecure APIs, web-based applications, network services, and user input fields.

What is an Attack Vector?

On the other hand, an 'attack vector' is the method or pathway used by an attacker to gain unauthorized access to a computer or network to deliver a payload or malicious outcome. These can be as straightforward as a phishing scam where an attacker tricks a user into revealing their password, or as complex as an SQL injection where an attacker exploits a security vulnerability in a website's software.

Common attack vectors include viruses, email attachments, web pages, pop-up windows, instant messages, chat rooms, and deception. As technology advances, more sophisticated attack vectors are continually being developed and discovered.

The Intersection Between Attack Surface and Attack Vector

The critical thing to comprehend is that attack surfaces provide the pathways for attack vectors to exploit. A large attack surface with several open points could allow numerous attack vectors to exploit vulnerabilities, leading to a considerable risk of cyber-attacks.

To ensure robust cybersecurity, it's crucial to minimize the attack surface and guard against known attack vectors through tools, software updates, network controls, and user awareness training. Furthermore, understanding the specific attack vectors, primarily targeting your business sector helps in achieving a tailored and robust defense.

The Importance of Third Party Risk

A significant aspect of a contemporary attack surface is 'third party risk.' In today's interconnected global business ecosystem, organizations heavily rely on vendors and third-party service providers. In doing so, they inadvertently extend their attack surface to include these third parties who might not have the same level of security controls as they do.

A 2020 study revealed that 80% of organizations had experienced a cyber attack caused by a security vulnerability in their third-party ecosystem. Third party risk is the potential threat posed by businesses working directly with or indirectly linked to your company. Supply chains, in particular, are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals due to their complex, multifaceted nature that makes them a vast, exploitable attack surface.

To mitigate third party risks, you must conduct detailed risk assessments of all vendors and regularly monitor and audit their security practices.

Why is Understanding These Terms Crucial to Cybersecurity?

Understanding the concepts of attack surface, attack vector, and third party risk are not merely an exercise in semantics; they are crucial to maintaining effective cybersecurity. By interpreting these terms, cybersecurity professionals can better grasp and communicate the intricacies of cyber risk, making it easier to implement effective security measures.

In today's digital age, businesses must continuously iterate upon their cybersecurity strategies to stay ahead of potential cyber threats and attacks. That begins by understanding the terminology, so awareness and actions can align for better defense.

In conclusion, to have a comprehensive grasp and control over your cybersecurity, a clear understanding of the terms 'attack surface,' 'attack vector,' and 'third party risk' is vital. These concepts together formulate the triad of potential risk holds in your cybersecurity endeavors. The ultimate aim is to make your attack surface as small as possible and to minimize the attack vectors directly. Moreover, always factor in third-party risk, as overlooking it could expand your attack surface beyond what you can control. In an era where cyber attacks are becoming more advanced and rampant, every business must take proactive steps to secure their digital frontiers faithfully and robustly.