How NDR Identifies Stolen Credentials in Your Network

In today’s cybersecurity landscape, attackers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their attempts to steal and exploit credentials. Stolen credentials can provide unauthorized access to critical systems, enabling threat actors to move laterally, exfiltrate data, or launch further attacks. Network Detection and Response (NDR) solutions play a crucial role in identifying and mitigating these threats in real time.

Understanding NDR and Its Role in Credential Protection

Network Detection and Response (NDR) is a security technology that continuously monitors network traffic for signs of malicious activity. By leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and behavioral analytics, NDR solutions can detect anomalies and respond to threats before they cause significant damage. When it comes to stolen credentials, NDR helps organizations identify unauthorized access attempts, abnormal user behavior, and suspicious data exfiltration patterns.

Key Ways NDR Identifies Stolen Credentials

1. Behavioral Anomaly Detection

Cybercriminals using stolen credentials often exhibit behavior that deviates from normal patterns. NDR solutions establish a baseline of typical user activity and flag any deviations, such as:

• Unusual login times (e.g., logging in at 3 AM when the user typically logs in during business hours).

• Accessing sensitive data or systems not typically used by the compromised account.

• Sudden spikes in data transfer or file downloads.

2. Detection of Suspicious Lateral Movement

Once attackers gain access to a network, they attempt to move laterally to expand their reach. NDR continuously monitors internal traffic and detects:

• Unauthorized access to privileged accounts.

• Use of remote desktop protocols (RDP) or command-line interfaces (CLI) that are uncommon for the user.

• Communication with known malicious IP addresses or dark web servers.

3. Identifying Credential Stuffing and Brute Force Attacks

Attackers often use automated tools to test stolen credentials across multiple systems. NDR solutions detect these attempts by identifying:

• High volumes of failed login attempts.

• Rapid authentication requests from a single IP address.

• Use of previously compromised usernames and passwords.

4. Monitoring for Abnormal Data Exfiltration

Once inside a network, cybercriminals may attempt to extract sensitive data. NDR solutions analyze network traffic for:

• Large data transfers to unauthorized destinations.

• Use of encrypted channels or tunneling techniques to bypass security controls.

• Connections to known exfiltration tools or malicious domains.

5. Threat Intelligence Correlation

Advanced NDR solutions integrate with global threat intelligence feeds to identify known attack patterns and compromised credentials. By correlating network activity with real-time threat intelligence, organizations can:

• Identify logins from compromised accounts listed in credential dumps.

• Block access attempts from IP addresses associated with threat actors.

• Take immediate action to contain threats before they escalate.

Strengthening Your Network with NDR

To maximize the effectiveness of NDR in detecting stolen credentials, organizations should:

• Regularly update user access controls and enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA).

• Conduct security awareness training to help employees recognize phishing and credential theft attempts.

• Continuously refine NDR rules and policies to adapt to emerging threats.

By leveraging NDR technology, organizations can proactively detect and respond to credential-based threats, reducing the risk of data breaches and ensuring the security of their networks.