The attack surface is the total number of vulnerabilities and entry points that an attacker can use to exploit a system or network.

What is attack surface?

Attack surface is the total sum of all potential entry points through which an attacker could gain access to your systems or network. It includes devices, applications, user accounts, services, and business processes – accessible from both inside and outside the organization. The larger and more complex your infrastructure, the broader your attack surface becomes – and the higher the risk of compromise.

Where attack surface appears in practice

Examples of common use cases:

• A company web app has an outdated plugin that gets exploited.
• An employee works from home over an unencrypted Wi-Fi connection.
• A misconfigured cloud storage bucket is publicly accessible.
• An old server with an open port remains online.
• An unused but still active account of a former employee is left unmanaged.

These examples show that the attack surface isn’t just a technical issue. It results from the interplay of technology, people, and processes. That’s why regular mapping, evaluation, and reduction of the attack surface are essential.

How attack surface, vulnerability and threat?

• Attack surface vs. vulnerability
  The attack surface is the total area of potential entry points. A vulnerability is a specific flaw within that area.
• Attack surface vs. threat
  A threat is a particular actor or technique that tries to exploit a weakness. The attack surface is what’s available to be exploited.
• Attack surface vs. risk
  Risk is the likelihood and impact of a successful attack. The attack surface is one of the key factors influencing that risk.

These terms complement each other. Understanding the differences helps you measure exposure (attack surface), fix weaknesses (vulnerabilities), and anticipate dangers (threats).

How to reduce your company’s attack surface