Many organizations protect their cyber infrastructure by looking inward, focusing on their own networks and systems. They dedicate themselves to reducing the attack surface, assessing their vulnerabilities, and conducting system patching – all to continuously monitor their own networks.
To Gary Gagnon, senior vice president and chief security officer of the MITRE Corporation, this defense posture makes about as much sense as having Tuuka Rask turn his back on the opposing team during the Stanley Cup playoffs. Rask, the star goaltender for the Boston Bruins, doesn’t fend off slapshots by staring at his own goal’s crossbar or checking the durability of the net. He focuses on his opponents, watching as their playbook unfolds, identifying their weaknesses and signaling to his teammates for backup.