Organizations invest significant resources in a complex web of security controls, from next-gen firewalls to sophisticated endpoint detection tools. A common, and dangerous, assumption is that once these tools are deployed, they are working perfectly. However, IT environments are in a constant state of change. New software is added, configurations are updated, and patches are applied. This constant flux means a security control that worked yesterday could fail today.
Relying on a belief that you are protected is not a strategy. You need proof. This is the principle behind Continuous Security Validation.
For decades, security assurance has relied on point-in-time assessments like annual penetration tests and quarterly vulnerability scans. While valuable, these methods have a fundamental flaw: they are snapshots in time. A clean report in January offers no guarantee of security in March.
It’s like an annual fire drill. It proves you can evacuate the building on that specific day, but it doesn’t ensure the smoke detectors and sprinklers are working every other day of the year. In a world of non-stop threats, you need a non-stop, 24/7 view of your security posture.
Continuous Security Validation (CSV) is a proactive cybersecurity approach that constantly and automatically tests your security controls against the full range of real-world attack techniques. It moves security from a state of "assuming we are secure" to one of "proving we are secure" with real-time, evidence-based data.
The core of CSV is to persistently ask and answer critical questions:
Instead of waiting for an annual test or a real breach to get the answers, CSV provides them on demand.
Adopting a CSV strategy fundamentally changes how organizations manage risk.
Continuous Security Validation is made possible by technologies like Breach and Attack Simulation (BAS). These automated platforms act as a virtual red team, safely and continuously running simulations of thousands of malicious behaviors across your environment.
The platform tests endpoints, email gateways, web filters, and cloud controls against known threat actor TTPs. It then measures the results: was the attack prevented? Was it detected? The answers provide the clear, actionable intelligence needed to maintain a validated security posture.
In a dynamic threat landscape, assuming your defenses are working is a risk you cannot afford to take. Continuous Security Validation represents a modern, proactive, and essential shift in cybersecurity. It transforms security from a series of isolated events into a continuous, data-driven process, providing the ongoing assurance needed to confidently protect your organization.
At Thawd, our entire mission is built around delivering Continuous Security Validation. Our Breach and Attack Simulation (BAS) platform, SimLight, is the engine that powers this modern security approach.
SimLight provides the automated testing, real-time visibility, and evidence-based data we've discussed. It is designed from the ground up to help you move from assuming to proving your security, every single day. We provide the tools to continuously validate your controls and ensure you are prepared for real-world threats.
Contact us to discover how SimLight can bring Continuous Security Validation to your organization.
