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How to use SOAR tools to simplify enterprise infosec programs
SOAR tools are designed to deliver convenience and simplicity to cybersecurity programs. Explore the many benefits security orchestration and automation promises users.
Security orchestration automation response tools are designed to deliver convenience and simplicity to cybersecurity programs. Many security professionals acknowledge the increased ease of operations SOAR tools provide -- some would even go so far as to say it makes the job possible.
Beyond orchestration and automation, SOAR tools use threat intelligence, AI, and human and machine learning to streamline security incident response processes. They can also improve the workload of infosec professionals who have many responsibilities requiring their attention. Automating routine tasks frees up time in an admin's day, which can be better spent on complex issues that may have gone unfinished otherwise.
Compiled here are three informative articles that elaborate on how SOAR tools can improve cybersecurity programs.
SOAR tools decrease MTTD and MTTR security events
Threat detection automation in SOAR tools streamlines the current methods used to detect and respond to threats. This aspect of SOAR helps teams decrease mean time to detect (MTTD) and mean time to repair (MTTR). The decrease in time needed to detect and repair security incidents is an achievement, but implementation of SOAR tools for this purpose requires continuous review of the technology and understanding of the tools.
Advanced monitoring technologies, like SOAR tools, are the smartest way for enterprises to limit MTTD and MTTR. Low detection and repair times can translate into avoidance of lawsuits when breaches happen, as well as limit the cost of a breach.
Learn more about how overworked incident response teams can better equip themselves against risk by automating security.
Automation's role in closing the cybersecurity skills gap
The cybersecurity skills gap persists, and HR and recruiters work diligently to identify candidates suitable to fill security job openings. But experts argue that the industry cannot hire itself out of this shortage. They point to automation as a natural next step toward closing the gap.
SOAR platforms give security teams the tools to automate routine aspects of their jobs. Reducing the required amount of human interaction with an issue frees up human time and energy that can be spent on more fulfilling security program functions that would have otherwise gone unaddressed due to lack of capable or available staff.
Read more on how scalable automated processes can reduce response times and mitigate other adverse consequences of the skills shortage in the industry.
Automating patch management to reduce human error
While not the most glamorous of IT team responsibilities, patch management is critical to system and application maintenance. Unfortunately, it is easily and often neglected because of the time investment and monotony. Failure to patch promptly puts organizations in vulnerable security positions. This is where SOAR tools come in.
There are two ways SOAR tools can be used to facilitate patch management efficiently. First, monitoring and applying automated patch management eliminates the perceived tedious task from uninspired security teams' agendas. In order to simplify the effort needed to automate patch management, organizations can integrate SOAR platforms with their configuration management systems.
Second, SOAR tools can be used to unlock information from vulnerability management systems and make it available to technologists with the knowledge and permissions necessary to access and analyze this data. Otherwise, vulnerability management systems will store this data in the sole domain of security teams.
In both of these cases, SOAR tools can make information available that might otherwise be siloed in specialized systems. Learn how using security orchestration and automation for patch management and vulnerability monitoring is the best way to address these critical cybersecurity issues.
