CISA and Global Partners Release Updated Guidance on Active Directory Security

• •CISA and global partners updated guidance on Active Directory security on September 15, 2026.
• •The guidance covers 17 common attack techniques, including DCSync attacks and shadow credentials.
• •Organizations are advised to utilize tools like BloodHound and PingCastle for vulnerability assessments.

On September 15, 2026, CISA and five international cybersecurity agencies updated their guidance on detecting and mitigating Active Directory (AD) compromises. The document addresses 17 common attack techniques used against AD environments, emphasizing the significance of AD as a target for credential theft and privilege escalation. The guidance highlights the risks associated with DCSync attacks and shadow credentials. Organizations are urged to understand their AD configurations and utilize tools like BloodHound and PingCastle to assess vulnerabilities. The agencies stress that attackers can exploit weaknesses in AD to gain access to critical systems, including email and cloud services. The updated guidance aims to enhance security awareness and defensive measures against these prevalent threats.