Akamai Technologies unveils the Defenders' Handbook for 2025

In a world where digital threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, Akamai Technologies has released a timely report aimed at helping organisations in the Asia Pacific region fortify their defences. The Defenders' Guide 2025: Securing the Future of Your Defense offers practical research for risk management and cybersecurity.

The guide provides actionable insights into critical threats, including VPN vulnerabilities, advanced malware techniques, and botnet families like NoaBot and RedTail. It also offers an analysis of six Kubernetes vulnerabilities from 2023-2024 and outlines the risks of command injection attacks in containerised environments.

Navigating a Complex Landscape

The Asia Pacific region has a complex and fragmented cybersecurity landscape. With the second highest rate of web application DDoS attacks globally, organisations in the region are facing a unique set of challenges. The lack of a unified governing body for cybersecurity leaves organisations to navigate threats with varying levels of preparedness.

A Reliable Approach to Cross-Site Scripting

Cross-site scripting vulnerabilities are a critical security risk, with web applications relying on user input and improper handling leading to these vulnerabilities. The guide recommends a 'defence in depth' strategy as the only reliable approach to addressing cross-site scripting. This strategy layers multiple security measures to reduce the chances of successful exploitation.

Securing Remote Work Models

Many organisations in Asia Pacific have heavily invested in VPNs for remote and hybrid work models. However, legacy VPNs present significant security vulnerabilities. The guide emphasises the importance of patch management and employee training to mitigate these threats.

Proactive Approach to Risk Management

The guide offers a new risk-scoring model that quantifies organisational vulnerabilities by evaluating application importance, network complexity, and likelihood of compromise. This proactive approach to risk management allows organisations to prioritise their security efforts effectively.

Expert Insights

The report provides insights from cybersecurity experts and data scientists who are working on the front lines to combat threats on a daily basis. Their knowledge and experience are invaluable in helping organisations stay ahead in a complex digital landscape.

Chief information security officers and IT decision-makers in Asia Pacific are actively seeking knowledge and resources to fortify their organisations against evolving threats. The Defenders' Guide 2025 is a useful resource for organisations aiming to stay ahead, offering actionable intelligence rather than abstract trends.

A Prime Target for Cyber Attacks

Akamai's Parimal Pandya stated that while Asia Pacific is a key growth driver for businesses, it is also a prime target for increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks, particularly AI-driven attacks. Guidance is provided on mitigating these threats by adopting practices such as secure LDAP protocols, custom encryption, and frequent firmware updates.

In conclusion, the Defenders' Guide 2025 is a comprehensive resource for organisations in the Asia Pacific region seeking to improve their cybersecurity posture. By following the recommendations outlined in the guide, organisations can better protect themselves against the ever-evolving threat landscape.