Use File Integrity Monitoring to Detect and Stop Threats to Your Files

Despite putting in every single effort to maintain good access control, static files will change on endpoints. While some files change simply as a part of using a laptop, server or desktop, application files and core operating system should never change unless they are upgraded. If these files are replaced with older, deprecated versions or are compromised by malware, new vulnerabilities and threats can make their way into it, and the results can be very destructive. This is when File Integrity Monitoring comes into the scene to save your files from such threats.

File integrity monitoring allows managers, security professionals and system administrators to gain immediate insight into directories and critical files that changed over time.  

File Integrity Monitoring plays an important role in the entire Endpoint management of any nexus.

Changes to files and file attributes to their configurations, across the IT sector are common, but hidden in the large number of changes can be the few that affect configuration or file integrity. These changes can also lessen security posture and in some cases it may also be leading indicators of a breach. 

Values monitored for unexpected changes to files include

• Hash values

• Security and Privileges Settings

• Credentials

• Configuration values

• Content

• Size and Core attributes 

Features of a File Integrity Monitoring Solution

• Multiple Platform Support- It’s very common for typical enterprises to run on Linux, Windows, Solaris, HP-UX or even AIX. It is for this reason that it’s best to use FIM as a solution 

• Easy Integration- This allows you to quickly identify or trace and relate problem-causing.

• Extended Perimeter Protection- Choose a file integrity monitoring solution that works beyond change detection in files. The FIM solution should also pay attention at the network devices such as routers, firewalls etc.

As revealed in a report, ex-filtration can begin in minutes to hours during a breach. This provides very less time in which you can detect and stop the threat. File Integrity Monitoring is a feature that can make or break an organization's continuity of operations.