Cyber Brief: Credential abuse, cloud exposure and response readiness

Today’s cyber reporting highlights how attackers continue to exploit trust, access and preparation gaps rather than relying on complex techniques. Credential abuse remains a dominant access method, cloud exposure is increasing through configuration drift and incident response readiness gaps are prolonging disruption when issues occur. These themes reflect the pressures many organisations face as the year gains momentum.

Credential abuse continues to drive initial access

Threat reporting published today confirms that credential abuse remains one of the most common initial access methods across recent incidents. Rather than exploiting software vulnerabilities, attackers are increasingly relying on stolen credentials, session tokens and reused access to enter environments quietly.
In several investigations referenced today, attackers delayed follow-on activity after gaining access, allowing them to blend into normal authentication patterns. Once active, they focused on data access and reconnaissance rather than immediate disruption. This approach reduces the likelihood of detection, particularly in organisations with limited behavioural monitoring.
The reporting highlights that credential abuse is effective because it exploits gaps in identity governance rather than technical weaknesses. Over-privileged accounts, infrequent access reviews and long-lived tokens continue to provide attackers with reliable access paths.

Why it matters
Credential abuse bypasses many traditional controls. Strong identity governance, phishing-resistant authentication and monitoring for anomalous access are essential to reducing exposure.

Source
Microsoft Security

Cloud exposure increases through configuration drift

Cloud security analysis released today highlights a growing number of incidents where organisations unintentionally exposed systems due to configuration drift. As environments evolve, changes to identity permissions, networking rules and storage settings accumulate, often without full review.
In several cases examined, internal services were exposed externally or granted broader access than intended. Attackers actively scan for these conditions and exploit them without needing to bypass security controls. Once access was gained, threat actors attempted to access data stores or pivot into connected services.
The reporting reinforces that cloud exposure is frequently the result of governance gaps rather than platform flaws. Environments without clear ownership or continuous configuration review are particularly at risk.

Why it matters
Configuration drift creates silent exposure. Regular reviews, automated guardrails and clear ownership reduce the risk of unintended cloud access.

Source
Palo Alto Unit 42

Incident response readiness gaps extend disruption

UK-focused reporting today highlights that many organisations continue to struggle with incident response readiness. While detection capabilities have improved, response coordination and recovery planning remain inconsistent.
In multiple incidents reviewed, teams identified issues quickly but lacked confidence in escalation routes and decision-making authority. Recovery was delayed because dependencies were poorly understood and response plans had not been rehearsed under realistic conditions.
The reporting emphasises that effective incident response depends as much on preparation and communication as it does on technology.

Why it matters
Preparedness reduces impact. Regular scenario exercising, clear ownership and tested recovery plans help organisations respond more effectively when incidents occur.

Source
Computer Weekly

Today’s Key Actions

1. Review identity permissions and reduce over-privileged access.
2. Strengthen authentication and monitor for anomalous credential use.
3. Validate cloud configurations and address drift.
4. Test incident response and recovery plans using realistic scenarios.
5. Update risk registers to reflect identity, cloud and response readiness risks.

Secarma Insight

Today’s stories reinforce a consistent lesson. Most cyber incidents succeed because of gradual drift in access, configuration and preparedness. Organisations that invest in identity governance, disciplined cloud management and regular response rehearsal are better positioned to manage disruption as the year progresses.

Get in touch with us to prioritise your next steps and strengthen your security posture.