Which strategy is the most effective for reducing a company's network attack surface?

The strategy of establishing multiple control categories and functions to enforce multiple layers of protection is the most effective for reducing a company's network attack surface. This approach, commonly referred to as a defense-in-depth strategy, aims to create various security layers that an attacker must bypass in order to gain access to critical assets. By using different types of controls—such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, access controls, and encryption—organizations can effectively mitigate risks by addressing vulnerabilities at multiple levels.

This layered security architecture helps to ensure that even if one control fails or is bypassed, additional layers are still in place to protect the system. Moreover, establishing categories for controls allows for a well-rounded defense strategy that considers various types of threats and attack vectors. It also enables an organization to tailor its defenses based on specific risks, environments, and operational needs, thereby creating a more resilient network.

In contrast, simply implementing a basic firewall can provide limited protection against a wide range of threats and is often not sufficient on its own. Keeping systems updated with the latest patches is crucial for mitigating known vulnerabilities but does not address the broader scope of potential attack vectors. Likewise, employing a single control mechanism may lead to a false sense of security, as it centralizes risk and does not account