What Is an Attack Surface — And How Can You Reduce It?
May 13, 2025
When it comes to cybersecurity, one of the most important — yet often overlooked — concepts is your attack surface. But what exactly does that mean? And why should businesses of every size pay attention to it? Let’s break it down.
What Is an Attack Surface?
In simple terms, your attack surface includes all the possible points where an unauthorized user (like a cybercriminal) could try to gain access to your systems or data.
Think of it as every digital doorway or window someone could try to sneak through. The more you have, the easier it is for someone to break in.
A large attack surface means more potential entry points — and more risk.
What Makes Up an Attack Surface?
Your company’s attack surface includes:
Devices and hardware – laptops, servers, mobile phones, USB drives
Software and applications – everything your team uses to work
Networks and connections – including cloud platforms and remote access points
People – because human error is often the weakest link in cybersecurity
Every one of these elements can become a target — especially if left unprotected or outdated.
How OmniShield Helps
OmniShield makes it easier to see and control your attack surface.
Our platform monitors all key areas — devices, apps, users, and network activity — to help you detect and respond to risks in one place.
By reducing potential entry points and closing security gaps, we help limit what attackers can see — and what they can do.
4 Ways to Reduce Your Attack Surface
Here’s what you can start doing today to shrink your exposure and stay ahead of threats:
1. Continuous vulnerability scanning and updates
Make sure all devices, software, and operating systems are regularly updated to fix known security issues. Patching vulnerabilities quickly reduces the risk of attackers exploiting them.
2. Strong passwords and authentication
Use strong, unique passwords and enforce policies like two-factor authentication (2FA). This makes it much harder for attackers to guess or steal access credentials.
3. Employee security awareness
Train your team regularly on cybersecurity best practices. People who know how to spot suspicious emails or unsafe behavior can stop many attacks before they begin.
4. Ongoing monitoring and risk assessment
Keep a constant eye on your systems. Use tools (like OmniShield) to detect abnormal activity, scan for threats, and respond quickly when something isn’t right.
Final Thoughts
Your attack surface is always changing — especially as your company grows, adds tools, or supports remote work.
The good news? With the right tools and habits, you can keep it under control.
OmniShield helps businesses not only monitor their digital exposure but also reduce it — making it harder for attackers to get in, and easier for your team to stay focused on what matters most.
