Frequently Asked Questions

Product Information & Features

What is IONIX and what does it do?

IONIX is an External Exposure Management platform designed to help organizations identify exposed assets and validate exploitable vulnerabilities from an attacker's perspective. It provides complete attack surface visibility, risk assessment, risk prioritization, and streamlined risk remediation. Learn more at Why Ionix.

What are the key features and capabilities of IONIX?

IONIX offers Attack Surface Discovery, Risk Assessment, Risk Prioritization, Risk Remediation, and continuous monitoring of changing attack surfaces. Its ML-based 'Connective Intelligence' finds more assets with fewer false positives, and the Threat Exposure Radar helps prioritize urgent security issues. For more details, visit Why Ionix.

How does IONIX help secure hybrid infrastructures?

IONIX provides a comprehensive solution for hybrid infrastructures by offering unified attack surface visibility across both cloud and on-premises assets. Its Attack Surface Cloud Cross-View (CCV) feature integrates internal cloud asset views with external threat exposure management, mapping dependencies and assessing asset importance and exploitability. This approach bridges security gaps such as shadow IT, exposed assets, and digital supply chain risks. For more, see Attack Surface Cloud Cross-View.

What integrations does IONIX support?

IONIX integrates with Jira, ServiceNow, Slack, Splunk, Microsoft Sentinel, Palo Alto Cortex/Demisto, AWS Control Tower, AWS PrivateLink, and Pre-trained Amazon SageMaker Models. For a full list, visit IONIX Integrations.

Does IONIX offer an API for integrations?

Yes, IONIX provides an API that supports integrations with major platforms such as Jira, ServiceNow, Splunk, Cortex XSOAR, and more. Details are available at IONIX Integrations.

Pain Points & Solutions

What problems does IONIX solve for organizations?

IONIX addresses challenges such as shadow IT, unauthorized projects, fragmented IT environments, lack of attacker-perspective visibility, and difficulty maintaining up-to-date asset inventories. It helps organizations proactively manage risk, discover all external assets, and continuously monitor and remediate vulnerabilities. For more, see Why Ionix.

How does IONIX differentiate itself in solving these pain points?

IONIX uniquely identifies the entire external web footprint, including shadow IT and unauthorized projects, and provides real attack surface visibility from an attacker’s perspective. Its continuous discovery and inventory capabilities ensure no vulnerabilities are left unaddressed, setting it apart from competitors who may struggle with fragmented visibility and reactive security measures.

What are the main cybersecurity challenges in hybrid infrastructures?

Key challenges include expanded attack surface, visibility and monitoring difficulties, compliance and governance issues, IAM complexity, increased risk of insider threats, digital supply chain vulnerabilities, and shadow IT/misconfigurations. Each challenge requires tailored solutions for effective risk management. For details, see this blog post.

What solutions does IONIX recommend for securing hybrid infrastructures?

IONIX recommends comprehensive security policies, unified visibility and monitoring, robust compliance frameworks, enhanced IAM solutions, employee training, supply chain security measures, regular vulnerability assessments, and complete attack surface discovery. These strategies help organizations proactively manage risk across hybrid environments. For more, see Navigating Security Challenges in Hybrid Infrastructure.

Use Cases & Customer Success

Who are some of IONIX's customers?

IONIX's customers include Infosys, Warner Music Group, The Telegraph, E.ON, Grand Canyon Education, and a Fortune 500 Insurance Company. For more details and logos, visit IONIX Customers.

Can you share specific case studies or success stories?

Yes. E.ON used IONIX to continuously discover and inventory internet-facing assets, Warner Music Group boosted operational efficiency and aligned security operations with business goals, and Grand Canyon Education enhanced security by proactively discovering and remediating vulnerabilities. Read more at IONIX Case Studies.

What industries are represented in IONIX's case studies?

Industries include Insurance and Financial Services, Energy, Critical Infrastructure, IT and Technology, and Healthcare. For more, see IONIX Case Studies.

Who is the target audience for IONIX?

IONIX is tailored for Information Security and Cybersecurity VPs, C-level executives, IT managers, and security managers across industries, including Fortune 500 companies.

Implementation, Support & Training

How long does it take to implement IONIX and how easy is it to start?

Initial deployment of IONIX takes about a week and requires only one person to implement and scan the entire network. Customers have access to onboarding resources such as guides, tutorials, webinars, and a dedicated Technical Support Team. For more details, visit this page.

What training and technical support is available for IONIX customers?

IONIX provides onboarding resources including guides, tutorials, webinars, and a dedicated Technical Support Team. Customers are assigned a dedicated account manager and benefit from regular review meetings. For more, see this page.

How does IONIX handle maintenance, upgrades, and troubleshooting?

IONIX offers technical support and maintenance services during the subscription term, including troubleshooting, upgrades, and maintenance. Customers are assigned a dedicated account manager and benefit from regular review meetings. For more details, visit this page.

Security & Compliance

What security and compliance certifications does IONIX have?

IONIX is SOC2 compliant and supports companies with NIS-2 and DORA compliance, ensuring robust security measures and regulatory alignment.

How does IONIX support compliance for hybrid infrastructures?

IONIX helps organizations maintain compliance across hybrid infrastructures by providing robust governance frameworks aligned with standards such as DORA, ISO 27001, and NIST. It supports periodic audits and ongoing monitoring to ensure regulatory requirements are met for both on-premises and cloud components.

Performance & Recognition

How is IONIX rated for product performance and innovation?

IONIX earned top ratings for product innovation, security, functionality, and usability. It was named a leader in the Innovation and Product categories of the ASM Leadership Compass for completeness of product vision and a customer-oriented, cutting-edge approach to ASM. See this press release for details.

What feedback have customers given about IONIX's ease of use?

Customers have rated IONIX as user-friendly and appreciate having a dedicated account manager for smooth communication and support.

Competitive Positioning

How does IONIX compare to other attack surface management solutions?

IONIX stands out for its ML-based 'Connective Intelligence' that discovers more assets with fewer false positives, Threat Exposure Radar for prioritizing critical issues, and comprehensive digital supply chain coverage. Unlike alternatives, IONIX reduces noise, validates risks, and provides actionable insights for maximum risk reduction and operational efficiency. Learn more at Why IONIX.

Why should a customer choose IONIX over other solutions?

Customers should choose IONIX for better discovery, focused threat exposure, comprehensive digital supply chain coverage, and streamlined remediation. IONIX's features are designed to maximize risk reduction and operational efficiency. See Why IONIX for more information.

KPIs & Metrics

What KPIs and metrics are associated with the pain points IONIX solves?

KPIs include completeness of attack surface visibility, identification of shadow IT, remediation time targets, effectiveness of surveillance, severity ratings for vulnerabilities, risk prioritization effectiveness, completeness of asset inventory, and frequency of updates to asset dependencies.

Resources & Documentation

Where can I find technical documentation and resources for IONIX?

Technical documentation, guides, datasheets, and case studies are available on the IONIX resources page at IONIX Resources.

Does IONIX have a blog and what topics does it cover?

Yes, the IONIX blog covers cybersecurity, risk management, exposure management, vulnerability management, and industry trends. Key authors include Amit Sheps and Fara Hain. Visit IONIX Blog.

Objections & Adoption

How does IONIX address value objections?

IONIX demonstrates immediate time-to-value with no impact on technical staffing, offers personalized demos, and shares real-world case studies with measurable outcomes. For more, see IONIX Case Studies.

How does IONIX address timing objections?

IONIX offers flexible implementation timelines, a dedicated support team, seamless integration capabilities, and emphasizes long-term benefits and efficiencies gained by starting sooner.

Company Information & Recognition

What key information should customers know about IONIX as a company?

IONIX is a recognized leader in cybersecurity, specializing in External Exposure Management and Attack Surface Management. It was named a leader in the 2025 KuppingerCole ASM Leadership Compass and won the Winter 2023 Digital Innovator Award from Intellyx. IONIX has secured Series A funding to accelerate growth and expand platform capabilities. For more, see this page.

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Navigating Security Challenges in Hybrid Infrastructure

Fara Hain
Fara Hain CMO LinkedIn
July 3, 2024
Graphic depicting hybrid infrastructure security challenges: a cloud with gears connected to buildings, with text overlay 'Navigating Security Challenges in Hybrid Infrastructure'

As organizations increasingly adopt a mix of cloud-based and on-premises systems, they face unique challenges in securing their hybrid infrastructures. Unlike traditional IT setups, where everything is managed within the confines of a single data center, hybrid infrastructures combine the agility of the cloud with the control of on-premises systems.  While this blend offers flexibility and scalability, it also introduces security complexity and a broader attack surface. In this article, we will take a closer look at the security challenges of hybrid infrastructures and explore how organizations can implement solutions to safeguard them effectively.

Understanding Hybrid Infrastructure

A hybrid infrastructure integrates both traditional on-premises systems and cloud-based services. This setup allows organizations to leverage the flexibility and scalability of the cloud without losing control of critical systems on their premises. Statistics reveal that up to 70% of IT leaders believe it is difficult to achieve successful digital transformation without making use of a hybrid model to combine elements of both public and private clouds to optimize performance, cost, and security.

In a traditional IT setup, security teams focused on protecting on-premises systems within a well-defined perimeter. While the hybrid approach offers numerous benefits, it also expands the attack surface, making it more difficult to secure hybrid infrastructures. A hybrid infrastructure encompasses a wide range of assets, including on-premises servers, cloud instances, virtual machines, containers, and remote endpoints. Each of these components introduces a new risk of threat exposure, as each component has its distinct vulnerabilities and requires individual security measures.

Security Challenges in Hybrid Infrastructures

Managing security in a hybrid infrastructure involves addressing a range of challenges that stem from the integration of diverse systems. Here are some of the most significant hybrid infrastructure security challenges organizations face:

  1. Hybrid Infrastructures and Expanded Attack Surface

Hybrid infrastructures expand the attack surface, making them attractive targets for cybercriminals. With data and applications spread across cloud services and on-premises systems, the number of entry points for potential attacks multiplies. For instance, misconfigured cloud services or unpatched on-premises systems can be exploited, causing attacks on hybrid infrastructure that lead to data breaches or service disruptions. 

  1. Visibility and Monitoring Difficulties

Ensuring full visibility across a hybrid infrastructure can be challenging. On-premises systems are often easier to monitor and secure directly, while cloud infrastructures can be opaque due to third-party management and multi-tenant architectures. Organizations must adopt sophisticated monitoring tools to maintain comprehensive oversight across all components of their hybrid infrastructure.

  1. Compliance and Governance Issues

Managing compliance in a hybrid infrastructure is complex. Organizations must navigate varying regulatory requirements for data stored on-premises and in the cloud. For instance, data residency laws might require certain data to remain within specific geographic boundaries, complicating the use of global cloud services. Ensuring consistent compliance across both infrastructures is critical to avoid legal and financial repercussions.

  1. Identity and Access Management (IAM) Complexity

Hybrid infrastructures require robust IAM solutions to manage user access across diverse systems. Coordinating IAM policies between on-premises and cloud services is challenging, particularly as each infrastructure might have different security protocols and access requirements. This complexity can lead to security gaps if not managed carefully.

  1. Increased Risk of Insider Threats

The combination of on-premises and cloud systems can make it harder to identify and respond to insider threats. Employees with access to both infrastructures may inadvertently or maliciously compromise security, leading to data leaks or system breaches.

  1. Web / Digital Supply Chain Vulnerabilities

The hybrid approach often involves multiple vendors, each contributing to different parts of the infrastructure. This interconnected supply chain extends the potential risk beyond employees with direct access to the system, as vulnerabilities in one component can compromise others.

  1. Shadow IT and Misconfigurations

The rise of shadow IT, where employees use unauthorized applications and services, is a significant risk in hybrid infrastructures. These unvetted tools can introduce vulnerabilities and complicate the organization’s security posture. Additionally, misconfigurations in cloud services are a common issue, as they can leave systems exposed to attacks.

Solutions for Securing Hybrid Infrastructures

Maintaining hybrid infrastructure cybersecurity demands a multifaceted strategy that accounts for both the infrastructure’s on-premises and cloud components. Here, we explore several key strategies that can help organizations ensure that both sides of their infrastructure remain secure at all times: 

  1. Comprehensive Security Policies

Developing and enforcing comprehensive security policies that span both on-premises and cloud infrastructures is crucial. These policies should provide a clear protocol that covers access controls, data encryption, incident response, and compliance requirements. Regular audits and updates to these policies ensure they remain effective against evolving threats.

  1. Unified Visibility and Monitoring

Effective security in hybrid infrastructures requires unified visibility across both on-premises and cloud components. Advanced monitoring solutions can integrate data from various sources to provide a cohesive view of the infrastructure. This integration enables organizations to locate and mitigate threats in real time, regardless of where they originate.

  1. Robust Compliance and Governance Frameworks

Maintaining compliance in a hybrid infrastructure necessitates strong governance frameworks that align with industry standards like DORA, ISO 27001, and NIST. 

Periodic audits and ongoing monitoring are essential to ensure that both on-premises and cloud components meet regulatory requirements and follow best practices.

  1. Enhanced IAM Solutions

Organizations must implement IAM solutions that can operate seamlessly across both on-premises and cloud infrastructures. Multi-factor authentication (MFA), role-based access controls (RBAC), and the principle of least privilege are crucial elements of a robust IAM strategy. These protocols can help ensure that only authorized users can access critical systems or data. 

  1. Employee Training and Awareness

Educating employees about the unique security risks associated with hybrid infrastructures is vital. Regular training sessions and awareness initiatives can help employees recognize and avoid common threats like phishing and social engineering attacks.

  1. Web / Digital Supply Chain Security Measures

Given the interconnected nature of hybrid infrastructures, securing assets in your supply chain is imperative. Continuous monitoring and assessment of the digital supply chain can help identify potential risks before they become significant threats.

  1. Vulnerability Assessments

Regular vulnerability assessments play a critical role in identifying and addressing weaknesses within hybrid infrastructures. These assessments involve systematic evaluations of both on-premises and cloud-based components to uncover vulnerabilities that malicious actors could exploit. By conducting these assessments regularly, organizations can stay proactive in their approach to cybersecurity, ensuring that potential threats are identified early and addressed promptly.

  1. Comprehensive Attack Surface Discovery

To reduce hybrid infrastructure threat exposure, organizations must manage their broad attack surface. To do so, organizations require tools that provide a complete view of all assets and their potential vulnerabilities. These tools are essential for mapping the entire infrastructure and identifying weak points that attackers could exploit. By thoroughly understanding their infrastructure, organizations can pinpoint areas of risk, monitor for potential threats, and implement targeted security measures. This comprehensive approach not only enhances visibility but also enables proactive risk management, ensuring that all components of the hybrid infrastructure are adequately protected.

How IONIX Can Help Secure Your Hybrid Infrastructure

IONIX offers a comprehensive solution tailored to meet the unique security challenges of hybrid infrastructures by leveraging unique features such as Attack Surface Cloud Cross-View (CCV) feature, a pivotal extension of its Attack Surface Management (ASM) platform. This advancement provides organizations with a comprehensive view of their entire attack surface across both cloud and on-premises infrastructure. 

Unlike traditional cloud security tools that operate with limited internal views, IONIX’s CCV integrates internal cloud asset views with external threat exposure management, mapping all application dependencies and assessing asset importance and exploitability. This capability bridges critical security gaps, including shadow IT, unintentionally exposed assets, and risks within digital supply chains. By offering a unified approach to security management, IONIX ensures that every asset, regardless of its location, is secure and protected against potential cyber threats.

Additionally, IONIX employs a rigorous vulnerability assessment methodology that spans both on-premises and cloud infrastructures. This methodology ensures thorough identification and evaluation of vulnerabilities, enabling organizations to manage risks effectively and implement targeted remediation strategies. By focusing on critical risks, IONIX enables efficient resource allocation and proactive threat mitigation.

Beyond assessment, IONIX facilitates seamless risk remediation and exposure validation. These features support organizations in promptly addressing identified vulnerabilities and validating the effectiveness of mitigation measures. This continuous validation helps maintain a strong security posture over time.

Successfully Navigating The Challenges of Securing Hybrid Infrastructure

Managing hybrid infrastructure security is a complex but essential task. The combination of on-premises systems and cloud services offers numerous benefits but also introduces unique challenges. By understanding these challenges and implementing comprehensive security solutions, organizations can protect their critical assets and data from evolving cyber threats.

IONIX provides the tools and expertise needed to secure hybrid infrastructures effectively. With a solution that covers attack surface discovery, risk prioritization, and exposure validation, IONIX empowers organizations to navigate the complexities of hybrid infrastructure security confidently.

For organizations operating in a hybrid infrastructure, staying ahead of threats requires a proactive approach and the right partners. IONIX stands ready to help you safeguard your infrastructure and enhance your cybersecurity posture, ensuring that your hybrid infrastructure remains resilient against the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats.

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