The Hidden Gaps in CTEM Without ASM

CTEM Alone Isn’t Enough 

Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) is a critical evolution in cybersecurity. It shifts focus from reactive measures to proactive, ongoing assessment of risks. But CTEM isn't self-sufficient. Without a strong foundation of visibility and verification, it quickly falters. 

That foundation is provided by Attack Surface Management (ASM). Here’s how CTEM efforts fail when ASM is missing—and how to fix it. 

1. Scoping Fails Without External Visibility 
Effective CTEM starts with understanding what assets you actually need to manage. But internal databases like CMDBs or ticketing systems don’t show the full picture. They leave out shadow IT—like cloud VMs created without IT’s knowledge, unused domains, or unapproved SaaS platforms. 

These assets may seem insignificant but can pose major risks. ASM solves this by observing the attack surface from the outside, delivering a more accurate, attacker-aligned view. CTEM that starts with incomplete scoping is doomed to chase only a part of the risk. 

2. Verification is Missing—And So is Confidence 
CTEM relies on alert data from scanners, but most of these alerts aren’t validated. They flag everything, creating noise that teams have to wade through to find what matters. It slows down remediation and chips away at trust. 

ASM tools provide validation by simulating real-world exploits. They cut through the noise and ensure CTEM only acts on legitimate, verified risks. That means fewer false positives, faster decision-making, and a stronger cybersecurity posture. 

3. Dynamic Assets Stay Hidden 
Modern IT isn’t static. Environments change rapidly. Developers launch new instances daily. Teams connect APIs, cloud services, or run tests that are never documented. These "temporary" assets can linger for months or even years. 

Traditional asset management can’t keep up—but ASM can. It monitors the environment continuously and dynamically, surfacing new risks in real time. CTEM needs this to function. Otherwise, critical assets slip through the cracks. 

4. Ownership Is Unclear—And That Delays Response 
CTEM depends on fast remediation. But if the system can’t identify who owns a vulnerable asset, nothing gets done. This is a common failure in large organizations with decentralized ownership models or poorly documented infrastructure. 

ASM adds valuable context—linking assets to teams, people, or business units. It helps route issues to the right place. With ownership identified, remediation happens faster, and risk is reduced. 

The Bottom Line: ASM Is the Foundation of CTEM 
CTEM isn't broken—it’s just incomplete without ASM. Visibility, validation, and ownership are not optional features. They're prerequisites. 

If you want CTEM to drive real results—like fewer breaches, better prioritization, and quicker resolution—it must be powered by ASM. Only then can CTEM live up to its potential. 
Discover how to embed ASM into your cybersecurity strategy and make CTEM work the way it should.