11. A newly identified network access vulnerability has been found in the OS of legacy IoT devices. Which of the following would best mitigate this vulnerability quickly?
Answer: C
Segmentation would best mitigate the vulnerability quickly.
Implementing segmentation can effectively isolate legacy IoT devices from the rest of the network, thereby limiting the potential impact of the identified vulnerability.
A) Insurance
While insurance may provide financial protection against losses incurred due to the vulnerability, it does not address the technical aspects of the network access issue. Therefore, it is ineffective as a mitigation strategy for the vulnerability itself.
B) Patching
Patching would address the vulnerability directly by fixing the underlying issues in the software. However, this may not be feasible for legacy IoT devices due to compatibility issues or lack of support, making it a less immediate solution compared to segmentation.
C) Segmentation
Segmentation involves dividing the network into smaller, isolated segments, which can help contain threats and limit the exposure of vulnerable devices. This method allows for a rapid response to the vulnerability without requiring updates or changes to the legacy devices, making it the most effective and quick mitigation strategy.
D) Replacement
Replacing legacy IoT devices would eliminate the vulnerability entirely, but it is often impractical due to cost, time constraints, and the potential for operational disruptions. As a result, it is not a quick solution to the immediate vulnerability issue.
Conclusion
Segmentation is the most effective method for quickly mitigating the identified network access vulnerability in legacy IoT devices. Unlike patching or replacement, segmentation provides a swift means of containment without the need for device updates or extensive resource investment, addressing the core issue of vulnerability in a timely manner.