Cyberattacks are evolving at an alarming pace, with zero-day vulnerabilities becoming a major concern for businesses of all sizes. These types of attacks exploit previously unknown security flaws, leaving systems defenseless and giving cybercriminals a dangerous edge. However, there’s good news. Microsoft has an often-overlooked feature that can help mitigate this threat effectively. It’s called virtualization-based security (VBS).
If you’ve never heard of VBS or aren’t using it to shield your organization from potential breaches, you’re not alone. Despite its immense power, VBS remains underutilized.
Why Virtualization-Based Security Is a Game Changer
At its core, virtualization-based security uses hardware virtualization to create isolated areas of memory within your system. Think of it as building an invisible vault inside your computer. Even if an attacker breaches your traditional operating system layers, they won’t be able to access critical security processes or sensitive data stored within VBS-protected areas.
How does this stop zero-day attacks? VBS effectively minimizes the attack surface by:
- Preventing unauthorized access to sensitive memory.
- Ensuring critical functions like credential storage and secure boot processes are executed in isolated environments.
- Adding layers of protection that make bypassing security exponentially harder, even when a vulnerability is known.
With VBS, your system gains an added layer of resilience that makes exploiting unknown vulnerabilities significantly more difficult for cyberattackers.
Advanced Protection Layers With Virtualization-Based Security
Enabling VBS strengthens your defense infrastructure, but there’s more you can do to optimize its effectiveness.
1. Enable Credential Guard
Credential Guard, a feature linked to VBS, protects NTLM and Kerberos account credentials from malicious access—even on compromised systems. This is particularly beneficial for organizations dealing with sensitive customer data or intellectual property.
2. Utilize Hypervisor-Enforced Code Integrity (HVCI)
HVCI works by blocking unsigned code at the kernel level, where many zero-day attacks aim. Pairing HVCI with Memory Integrity makes your organization’s devices nearly impenetrable.
3. Combine VBS With Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)
No system is foolproof, but coupling VBS with endpoint detection ensures rapid response to emerging threats. This added layer identifies breaches that manage to bypass defenses.
Common Challenges and How to Solve Them
Enabling VBS doesn’t come without challenges, but the benefits far outweigh them. Here’s how to overcome a few common obstacles:
- Driver Compatibility Issues
Outdated drivers may prevent Memory Integrity from turning on. Use Microsoft Compatibility Checker tools or third-party alternatives to ensure all drivers are up-to-date.
- Performance Concerns
While enabling VBS consumes additional system resources, most modern devices handle this impact seamlessly. IT administrators can fine-tune virtual machine allocations for performance optimization if necessary.
Stay One Step Ahead of Zero Day Exploits
Cybersecurity threats aren’t going away. They’re evolving. By enabling virtualization-based security and its associated features, you can gain a significant edge against zero-day attacks that might otherwise compromise your systems. You’ll not only protect your data but also your reputation, customers, and bottom line.
If you haven’t yet secured your organization with VBS, now is the time to act. Start implementing virtualization-based security today to shut down vulnerabilities before attackers strike. Empower your team with the tools they need to stay resilient in today’s rapidly-changing threat landscape.
