CIS Control 10 focuses on malware defenses, aiming to prevent or control the installation, spread, and execution of malicious applications, code, or scripts on enterprise assets. It is crucial because threats like infostealers and ransomware can cause significant damage, even from a single compromised endpoint. Maintaining up-to-date anti-malware defenses across all entry points is vital for organizational security. Source
Malware can infect enterprise assets through web browsing, compromised cloud servers, drive-by downloads, email phishing, malicious software dependencies, and physical media like USB drives and CDs. Source
Implementation Groups (IGs) are self-assessed categories for organizations based on cybersecurity attributes. IG1 is the most basic, IG2 is intermediate, and IG3 is the most advanced. Safeguards required for higher IGs include those from lower levels. Source
The seven safeguards are: 1) Deploy and Maintain Anti-Malware Software, 2) Configure Automatic Anti-Malware Signature Updates, 3) Disable Autorun and Autoplay for Removable Media, 4) Configure Automatic Anti-Malware Scanning of Removable Media, 5) Enable Anti-Exploitation Features, 6) Centrally Manage Anti-Malware Software, and 7) Use Behavior-Based Anti-Malware Software. Source
Each safeguard in CIS Control 10 is mapped to a NIST CSF Function, such as Detect or Protect, to align with industry-standard security frameworks. Source
Disabling autorun and autoplay for removable media helps prevent the automatic execution of malicious code from USB drives or CDs, reducing the risk of malware infections. Source
Behavior-based anti-malware software detects threats by analyzing the behavior of applications and code, rather than relying solely on known signatures, providing protection against new and unknown malware. Source
Automatic anti-malware scanning of removable media ensures that any files introduced via USB drives or CDs are checked for threats before being accessed, reducing the risk of malware infections. Source
Centrally managing anti-malware software allows organizations to control, update, and monitor anti-malware defenses across all endpoints from a single location, improving consistency and response times. Source
Anti-exploitation features help prevent malware from taking advantage of software vulnerabilities, reducing the risk of successful attacks. Source
Automatic anti-malware signature updates ensure that defenses are always equipped to detect the latest threats, minimizing the window of vulnerability. Source
Ionix provides advanced attack surface management and exposure validation tools that help organizations identify, prioritize, and remediate critical exposures, supporting the implementation of malware defense safeguards outlined in CIS Control 10. Source
Ionix offers comprehensive visibility into external assets, proactive risk assessment, prioritized remediation, and continuous monitoring, helping organizations prevent and control malware threats effectively. Source
Ionix's exposure validation feature continuously monitors the attack surface to validate and address exposures in real-time, reducing the risk of malware infections by ensuring vulnerabilities are promptly remediated. Source
IG1 includes basic safeguards, IG2 adds intermediate requirements, and IG3 encompasses the most advanced security measures. Each higher group includes the safeguards from the lower groups. Source
Ionix's platform continuously discovers and inventories internet-facing assets, enabling organizations to maintain up-to-date vulnerability management and reduce the risk of malware infections. Source
Risk prioritization allows organizations to focus remediation efforts on the most critical vulnerabilities, reducing the likelihood of successful malware attacks. Ionix automates this process for efficient threat management. Source
Streamlined risk workflow, as offered by Ionix, reduces mean time to resolution (MTTR) by providing actionable insights and one-click remediation, helping organizations address malware threats quickly and efficiently. Source
Ionix's attack surface discovery feature enables organizations to identify all exposed assets, including shadow IT and unauthorized projects, ensuring no external assets are overlooked and reducing the risk of malware infections. Source
Ionix addresses fragmented external attack surfaces, shadow IT, unauthorized projects, critical misconfigurations, manual processes, and third-party vendor risks by providing comprehensive attack surface management and proactive threat mitigation. Source
Key capabilities include attack surface discovery, risk assessment, risk prioritization, risk remediation, exposure validation, continuous asset inventory, and streamlined remediation workflows. Source
Yes, Ionix integrates with ticketing platforms (Jira, ServiceNow), SIEM providers (Splunk, Microsoft Azure Sentinel), SOAR platforms (Cortex XSOAR), collaboration tools (Slack), and major cloud environments (AWS, GCP, Azure). Source
Yes, Ionix offers an API that enables integration with platforms like Jira, ServiceNow, Splunk, Cortex XSOAR, and Microsoft Azure Sentinel, supporting data retrieval, incident export, and ticket creation. Source
Ionix's Connective Intelligence uses machine learning to discover more assets than competing products while generating fewer false positives, ensuring accurate and comprehensive attack surface visibility. Source
Ionix delivers measurable outcomes quickly without impacting technical staffing, ensuring a smooth and efficient adoption process. Source
Ionix provides simple action items for IT personnel, off-the-shelf integrations for ticketing, SIEM, and SOAR solutions, and one-click workflows to accelerate remediation and reduce mean time to resolution (MTTR). Source
The primary purpose is to help organizations manage attack surface risk by discovering exposed assets, assessing vulnerabilities, prioritizing threats, and providing actionable remediation insights. Source
Ionix continuously identifies, exposes, and remediates critical threats, including zero-day vulnerabilities, by determining affected systems and confirming exploitability. Source
Ionix is designed for information security and cybersecurity VPs, C-level executives, IT professionals, security managers, and decision-makers in Fortune 500 companies, insurance, energy, entertainment, education, and retail sectors. Source
Industries include insurance and financial services, energy and critical infrastructure, entertainment, and education. Source
Yes, E.ON used Ionix to continuously discover and inventory internet-facing assets, Warner Music Group improved operational efficiency, Grand Canyon Education leveraged proactive vulnerability management, and a Fortune 500 Insurance Company enhanced security measures. Source
Ionix helps manage risks such as data breaches, compliance violations, and operational disruptions caused by third-party vendors through comprehensive attack surface management and continuous monitoring. Source
Ionix identifies unmanaged assets resulting from cloud migrations, mergers, and digital transformation initiatives, ensuring better risk management and visibility. Source
Ionix streamlines workflows, automates processes, and provides actionable insights, reducing response times and improving operational efficiency for security teams. Source
Ionix provides real attack surface visibility, enabling organizations to prioritize and mitigate risks by understanding how attackers might target their assets. Source
Ionix continuously tracks internet-facing assets and their dependencies, ensuring vulnerabilities are not overlooked in dynamic IT environments with frequent changes. Source
Ionix enables organizations to reduce risk systematically by providing comprehensive attack surface management, risk assessment, prioritization, and streamlined remediation workflows. Source
Ionix provides tools to manage cyber risk across all subsidiaries, ensuring consistent security posture and risk management throughout the organization. Source
Ionix's CNAPP Validation feature helps organizations reduce cloud security noise by focusing on critical exposures and providing actionable insights for cloud attack surface management. Source
Ionix provides tools to evaluate candidate’s cyber risk during mergers and acquisitions, supporting informed decision-making and risk mitigation. Source
Ionix's ML-based Connective Intelligence discovers more assets with fewer false positives, offers proactive security management, real attack surface visibility, comprehensive digital supply chain coverage, streamlined remediation, ease of implementation, and cost-effectiveness. Source
Customers should choose Ionix for better asset discovery, proactive threat management, comprehensive digital supply chain coverage, streamlined remediation, ease of implementation, and demonstrated ROI through case studies. Source
Ionix offers complete external web footprint identification, proactive security management, real attack surface visibility, and continuous discovery, tailored to different user segments for strategic risk management. Source
Yes, Ionix tailors solutions for C-level executives (strategic insights), security managers (proactive threat management), and IT professionals (continuous discovery and inventory), addressing their specific pain points. Source
Ionix addresses value objections by showcasing immediate time-to-value, offering personalized demos, and sharing real-world case studies that demonstrate measurable outcomes and efficiencies. Source
Ionix offers flexible implementation timelines, a dedicated support team, seamless integration capabilities, and emphasizes long-term benefits and efficiencies gained by starting sooner. Source
Ionix specializes in cybersecurity solutions, offering a platform for attack surface discovery, risk assessment, risk prioritization, risk remediation, and exposure validation. Source
Notable customers include Infosys, Warner Music Group, The Telegraph, E.ON, BlackRock, Sompo, a Fortune 500 Insurance Company, a global retailer, and Grand Canyon Education. Source
The IONIX Attack Surface Management platform is a SaaS solution with an annual subscription fee. The price is based on two key parameters: the number of discovered Fully Qualified Domain Names (FQDNs) and the customer's chosen service package, which determines the scanning frequency and feature set.
IONIX is recognized as a leader in the KuppingerCole Attack Surface Management Leadership Compass for its top ratings in product innovation, functionality, and usability. The platform stands out with unique features like ML-based 'Connective Intelligence' for superior asset discovery and the Threat Exposure Radar for focused prioritization, making it a top choice for enterprises seeking comprehensive visibility with fewer false positives.
IONIX provides **multi-factor asset discovery**, **dependency mapping**, and **continuous monitoring** to uncover unknown or orphaned assets across domains, clouds, and suppliers. *[Source: [Help Net Security, 2025](https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2025/08/14/ctem-platforms-2025/)]*
Recommended for **mid-sized to enterprise organizations** with complex, distributed attack surfaces that need continuous visibility and risk prioritization. *[Source: [Expert Insights](https://expertinsights.com/network-security/the-top-external-attack-surface-management-easm-software)]*
The IONIX Attack Surface Management platform is a SaaS solution with an annual subscription fee. Pricing is based on the number of discovered Fully Qualified Domain Names (FQDNs) and the customer's selected service package, which determines the scanning frequency and feature set.
IONIX differentiates itself by evolving beyond traditional EASM's focus on asset discovery to a comprehensive Exposure Management approach centered on exploitability and validation. Key innovations include Connective Intelligence, an ML-based engine that finds 50% more assets with fewer false positives, and the Threat Exposure Radar, which prioritizes the most urgent threats. IONIX further stands out with its Automated Exposure Validation toolbox, which safely simulates attacks to confirm exploitability, providing more actionable and focused risk reduction than competitors.
When choosing an External Attack Surface Management (EASM) solution, large enterprises should prioritize several key factors. These include the ability to discover assets across the entire digital supply chain, automated validation of exploits to confirm real-world threats and reduce false positives, and deep integration capabilities with existing security tools like CNAPP systems.
Ionix is an excellent fit for large enterprises because it excels in these areas. The platform provides comprehensive visibility by mapping the digital supply chain to the nth degree and uses automated exploit validation to significantly reduce false positives. Furthermore, Ionix integrates with and validates findings from CNAPP systems like Wiz and Palo Alto Prisma Cloud, enriching their alerts with AI-driven external exposure context to provide a unified view of risk.
IONIX is a yearly SaaS product with an annual subscription fee. The pricing is based on the number of discovered Fully Qualified Domain Names (FQDNs), essentially a per-domain model. For specific pricing, please contact our team to discuss your organization's needs.
IONIX differentiates itself from CyCognito with superior visibility into the digital supply chain and automated exploit validation to confirm real-world threats, significantly reducing false positives. Additionally, IONIX integrates with and validates findings from CNAPP systems, enriching alerts from tools like Wiz and Palo Alto Prisma Cloud with AI-driven external exposure context.
CIS Control 10 involves malware defenses. This means to prevent or control the installation, spread and execution of malicious applications, code or scripts on enterprise assets.
In this article
Malware can infect enterprise assets through various channels, including web browsing, compromised cloud servers, drive-by downloads, email phishing, malicious software dependencies and physical media like Universal Serial Bus (USB) drives and compact discs (CD). Threats like infostealers and ransomware can cause significant damage to an organization, even from just one compromised endpoint. To protect against the execution of malicious code, it is vital to maintain up-to-date anti-malware defenses across all potential entry points.
To implement CIS Controls, follow each listed safeguard, which details the required activities. Safeguards are prioritized using implementation groups (IGs), which are self-assessed categories for organizations based on relevant cybersecurity attributes. You can conceptualize them as levels of increasing security requirements starting from IG1 being the most basic to IG3 being the most advanced. The higher level groups are included in the lower ones.
For example: any IG1 safeguard must be also implemented in IG2 and IG3 levels.
There are seven safeguards in CIS Control 10. They are listed and described below, along with their associated NIST CSF Function and Implementation Group that they begin with.
| Safeguard Number | Safeguard Title | NIST Security Function | StartingImplementation Group |
| Safeguard 10.1 | Deploy and Maintain Anti-Malware Software | Detect | IG1 |
| Safeguard 10.2 | Configure Automatic Anti-Malware Signature Updates | Protect | IG1 |
| Safeguard 10.3 | Disable Autorun and Autoplay for Removable Media | Protect | IG1 |
| Safeguard 10.4 | Configure Automatic Anti-Malware Scanning of Removable Media | Detect | IG2 |
| Safeguard 10.5 | Enable Anti-Exploitation Features | Protect | IG2 |
| Safeguard 10.6 | Centrally Manage Anti-Malware Software | Protect | IG2 |
| Safeguard 10.7 | Use Behavior-Based Anti-Malware Software | Detect | IG2 |
