When you consider the elevated, root privileges SSH provides, you would assume that enterprises make SSH keys more secure than simple usernames and passwords, which provide far fewer privileges to critical systems and applications. But this is not the case. In this Technology Adoption Profile (TAP) by Forrester Research, analyst, John Kindervag, emphasizes, “Two-thirds of IT security professionals do not perform the necessary checks for unauthorized use of SSH keys.”
This negligence of SSH security has consequences. Nearly 50% of survey respondents reported that they had to address security incidents related to the compromise or misuse of SSH keys within the last 24 months—and that’s just based on known security incidents. Many more incidents go undetected.
What can you do to stay more secure and ensure better protection of SSH? Use this Forrester Research TAP to compare your SSH security to that of other organizations. Then close the gaps in your SSH security by applying Forrester’s requirements, including:
- Centralizing control and visibility
- Establishing a baseline
- Rotating keys regularly
- Continuously monitoring
- Remediating vulnerabilities
