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Industry Perspectives

What Is SOAR Security and Why Should You Use It?

  • by Netwitness

Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) is a rapidly growing field of security technology that has become increasingly popular in recent years. SOAR security enables businesses to automate their security processes in order to quickly detect, respond to, and contain threats. In this blog post, we will discuss the benefits of using SOAR security and why it is important for your business.

What Does SOAR Security Do? 

In a nutshell, SOAR security is a key player in enabling organizations to streamline the process of detecting, responding to, and containing security threats. This means that your organization can quickly identify potential threats, both during an attack and even in some cases before they cause any damage or disruption. With SOAR security, you can also automate certain tasks related to incident response in order to save time and money while improving overall efficiency.

Security Orchestration

Security orchestration brings the many security tools, processes and technology into a coherent workflow to empower businesses to quickly identify potential threats and respond to them swiftly.

Automation

Automation is an integral part of any modern security strategy. It helps minimize frequent manual tasks undertaken during an incident response, such as following specific steps in a specific order for any given use case. Automation also helps reduce human error by ensuring that tasks are completed consistently and accurately every time. By automating routine tasks, businesses can free up resources to focus on more complex tasks such as threat analysis and incident triage and forensics.

Response

When a cyber-attack occurs, it is essential to have a detailed plan of action in place so that you can respond swiftly and effectively. A well-defined response plan should include steps such as isolating affected systems, restoring backups, conducting forensic investigations into the incident, establishing communication channels with stakeholders, monitoring systems for further activity or intrusion attempts, updating policies and procedures to improve response time and even prevent future incidents from occurring, and more. Having a detailed response plan in place before an attack occurs ensures that you are prepared for any eventuality and can effectively mitigate damage from any attacks or intrusions.

Security orchestration, automation, and response are essential components of any strong cybersecurity strategy. By leveraging these elements together in an integrated platform, businesses can ensure their networks remain secure against potential threats while minimizing manual labor required for maintenance or operational activities, as well as activities carried out during an attack.

The Benefits of Using SOAR Security

Utilizing SOAR technology for your business can provide numerous benefits and improvements, such as increasing organizational efficiency, visibility, and informed decision-making. With many organizations jumping on board the digital infrastructure bandwagon, having a system in place to monitor activity and guide response workflows is essential. 

By utilizing SOAR security and its ability to compress your response time during an incident, you can effectively and proactively address malicious activities before they negatively affect your business. The improved visibility can be useful in recognizing gaps in security posture or potential threats which may have been overlooked. This tangible increase in informed decisions that arise from this extra insight can even demonstrate a faster return on investment expressed in man-hours saved. In short, investigating the implementation of SOAR technology within businesses provides considerable benefits when it comes to safeguarding against threats and remaining compliant with industry regulations and standards. Keep reading to learn more about these benefits.

Improved Efficiency

Perhaps the most obvious benefit of using SOAR security is improved efficiency. By automating certain tasks related to incident response, organizations can reduce the amount of time spent on mundane activities such as logging data or reporting incidents. This allows organizations to focus more resources on responding quickly and effectively to potential threats. Additionally, by automating these processes, it reduces the chances of human error, which could lead to costly mistakes or even data breaches down the line.

Improved Visibility

Another benefit of using SOAR security is improved visibility into your organization’s cyber-security posture. By automating certain processes related to threat detection and response, you can gain better insight into how your organization is responding and what areas need improvement. This allows you to take proactive steps towards improving your cyber-security posture before a potential breach occurs rather than waiting until after an incident has occurred.

Informed Decisions

Finally, with better visibility into your organization’s cyber-security posture, you can make more informed decisions when it comes time to invest resources into new technologies or services that will help improve your overall security posture. That way you can help protect your business from ever-evolving threats. 

In summary, using a SOAR security platform provides numerous benefits for organizations looking for ways to improve their cyber-security posture without sacrificing efficiency or visibility into their operations. By automating certain tasks related to threat detection and response, organizations can ensure that they are able to respond quickly and efficiently while gaining better insight into their operations at the same time. If you are looking for ways to improve your cyber-security posture, then investing in a good quality SOAR security platform may be worth considering as part of your strategy going forward.

Advantages of SOAR Security

SOAR security is an increasingly popular cybersecurity that offers several advantages over traditional security solutions. SOAR is a technology platform designed to help organizations quickly detect, respond to, and remediate cyber threats. It provides the ability to automate manual processes for a more efficient incident response. Below we will discuss some of the key advantages of using SOAR security in your organization’s cybersecurity strategy.

Automation to Enhance Efficiency and Productivity

One of the major benefits of SOAR security is its ability to automate manual processes. This can save time and money by freeing up resources from mundane, allowing them to focus on more complex security issues. In addition, automating the incident response process can reduce the time required for investigation and resolution. Automation also allows for faster implementation of corrective measures, resulting in improved overall security.

Easy Integration With Existing Systems and Platforms

SOAR security is designed to be easily integrated with existing security systems and platforms, such as SIEMs, firewalls, endpoint protection solutions, threat intelligence platforms, and more. This can provide visibility into threats detected across multiple systems in real time. The integration also allows SOAR security to draw on existing data sources, ensuring that all relevant information is taken into account when responding to security threats.

Faster Incident Response Times

SOAR can help organizations to reduce their incident response times. By automating manual processes and orchestrating responses to complex security threats, SOAR security can help organizations reduce the time required for investigation and resolution and also ensure that corrective measures are implemented quickly in order to minimize any potential damage to the organization.

Keeps You Compliant

Finally, using SOAR helps demonstrate compliance with regulatory mandates and standards. By automating manual processes, organizations can quickly show that they are taking all necessary steps to protect their data and systems from any potential cyber threats. This provides greater peace of mind to organizations and helps them to build a strong security posture.

Overall, SOAR security provides organizations with the ability to automate manual processes for more efficient incident response, as well as improved visibility into their overall security posture. Additionally, SOAR security can help organizations stay compliant with regulatory mandates and standards, allowing them to build a strong security posture and protect their data from potential cyber threats.

Disadvantages of Doing SOAR Security Yourself

SOAR security is a crucial component of any organization’s cyber defense strategy. It allows companies to automate response to security threats, making it easier for them to protect their systems and data from malicious actors. However, while SOAR can be an effective tool in the fight against cybercrime, its implementation can be difficult and costly if done independently. Below we will look at some of the potential disadvantages of doing your own SOAR security instead of outsourcing it to an experienced provider. We will also discuss how you can ensure that your organization gets the most out of its SOAR solution by working with a reliable partner who knows what they’re doing.

Costly Setup Process

SOAR security implementation can be a costly and complicated process, from developing policies to integrating with existing systems. If you’re not careful, it can take months or even years to get everything up and running properly. This means that the cost of implementing SOAR security yourself can quickly add up if you do not have access to the right resources or expertise.

Also, you will have to employ and vet an in-house staff to maintain this security measure which is something that you may not fully understand enough to hire the right person(s). New employees will need training, and if they’re entry level, they may not know where to start with SOAR security. Finding the right professionals can be a difficult task that could be made easier by outsourcing your SOAR security.

Integration Can Be Challenging

SOAR is well known for its ability to integrate between platforms and while that is convenient, it can be difficult to implement. If you do not have the right technicians that know how to set it up and integrate it with your system, it might be easier to have a professional cybersecurity team take on SOAR security for your company.

Finding Your Weaknesses

Implementing SOAR is one thing, but finding the weak spots in your company’s defenses is another. You have to optimize your security posture which SOAR by itself doesn’t do. Often a business that manages their own cybersecurity focuses too much on detection and prevention, and not enough on the foundation of building a strong defense system.

SOAR security implementation can be a costly and complex process, but one that can be invaluable for organizations looking to protect their systems from malicious actors. However, without the right resources or expertise, it can be difficult to ensure that your organization gets the most out of its solution. This is why it is important to work with an experienced partner who knows how to set up and maintain SOAR security in order to maximize effectiveness while minimizing risk. By leveraging the power of SOAR solutions and working alongside experts, you can rest assured knowing your data will remain safe and secure.

What Does SOAR Security Protect Against?

In today’s digital world, cyber threats are something that all computer users must be aware of. From identity theft to ransomware, there is no shortage of threat actors out there looking for vulnerable systems. It is important to understand what these threats are so that you can protect yourself and your data from harm. Let us take a look at some of the most common types of cyber threats.

Malware

Malware is short for “malicious software,” and it refers to any kind of program or code designed to cause damage, steal data, or otherwise disrupt a system. There are many different types of malware out there, including viruses, worms, trojans, rootkits, spyware, adware, and ransomware. Each type has its own unique characteristics and methods of attack. However, they all have one thing in common — their purpose is malicious in nature.  When malware is present,SOAR can initiate an automated triage process based on aggregation of alerts generated by your detection and response tools.

Phishing Scams

Phishing scams refer to attempts by criminals to obtain sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details by disguising themselves as trustworthy entities in electronic communication. Phishing scams often take the form of fake emails or websites that appear legitimate but are actually designed to steal confidential information from victims. The best way to protect yourself from phishing scams is to never give out personal information online unless you are certain it is coming from a legitimate source. By aggregating alerts and other details from your existing security technology stack, SOAR can launch a predefined workflow when a phishing scam is detected to guide the responder to a faster resolution.

Insecure Networks

Insecure networks can leave your computer vulnerable to attack by hackers or other malicious actors. It is important to make sure your business network (both wired and wireless) is secure and up to date with the latest security patches and settings in order to protect against potential attacks. Additionally, be sure not to connect your devices (such as laptops or mobile phones) to public Wi-Fi networks without using a VPN service first — this will help keep your data safe from prying eyes.

Ransomware Attacks

Ransomware is a type of malicious software that locks the user out of their device and demands payment in order to regain access. It can be spread through email attachments, fake downloads, or other sources — and once installed, it will encrypt all the data on your computer until you pay a ransom. Protect yourself from ransomware by ensuring your system is up to date with the latest security patches and using an antivirus solution. Implementing SOAR can improve threat detection and incident response times.

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS)

Distributed denial of service attacks is a type of attack where malicious actors send large amounts of traffic to your website or server in order to overwhelm it and make it unavailable. These types of attacks can have serious repercussions for businesses, as they can result in lost revenue due to downtime. The best way to protect yourself from DDoS attacks is by using SOAR security. SOAR security provides automated workflows to identify and triage DDoS attacks, empowering your team to quickly react to the threat in order to minimize any damage done. By using SOAR security, you can ensure your networks and systems are better protected from potentially devastating DDoS attacks.

Corporate Account Takeover (CATO)

Corporate account takeover (CATO) is a type of attack where malicious actors gain access to corporate accounts and use them for their own purposes. CATO attacks can have serious consequences, including financial loss, data theft, and reputational damage. To protect against CATO attacks, businesses should always ensure that their employees are using strong passwords and two-factor authentication for all corporate accounts. Additionally, businesses should regularly monitor their accounts for any suspicious activity and take steps to ensure that only authorized personnel have access to sensitive data. And ideally, you will have any response procedures fully defined and automated to improve response time. Or you can leave the automation to SOAR security.

By following best practices such as using strong passwords, implementing two-factor authentication, and utilizing SOAR security, businesses can better protect themselves from malicious attacks. Additionally, businesses should ensure their employees are educated on the risks posed by cyber-attacks and the steps necessary to protect themselves from them. With these steps in place, businesses can help ensure that their data and systems remain secure.

Implementing SOAR Security for Your Business

In the ever-evolving world of cyber security, one of the latest developments is the SOAR security system. This system helps businesses quickly and effectively respond to security incidents with minimal disruption. To ensure that your business is well protected and up to date, here are the requirements for setting up a SOAR security system.

Integration of Existing Security Tools

The first step in setting up a SOAR security system is to integrate your existing security tools into the SOAR-provided workflow steps. This means that ideally all of your tools should be able to send information to, and receive commands from, the SOAR security system. For example, if you have an intrusion detection system (IDS), firewall, and antivirus software installed on your network, review their integration capabilities to understand how they can send alerts to the SOAR security system and receive and act on scripted commands.

Advanced Automation Capabilities

Another key requirement for a successful SOAR security implementation is advanced automation capabilities. The goal here is to automate as much of the response process as possible so that your organization can respond quickly in the event of an attack without having to manually go through every step of the process. By automating certain processes, such as alerting team members when an incident occurs and providing them with a runbook of steps to be taken, you can drastically reduce response times and minimize disruption.

Robust Reporting Features

Finally, it is important that any SOAR security platform you implement has robust reporting features so you can track performance over time and make sure that everything is running smoothly. With detailed reports on security response times and remediation efforts, you can easily see which areas need improvement and take action accordingly. Additionally, these reports can be used to demonstrate compliance with industry regulations or standards if needed.

A successful SOAR security implementation requires the integration of existing security tools, advanced automation capabilities, and robust reporting features in order for it to be effective at responding appropriately and quickly before major damage is done. If your business does not currently have a SOAR security system in place yet — or is not sure how best to set one up — it may be worth consulting with a cyber security specialist who can provide guidance on how best to protect your organization from potential attacks while still meeting industry regulations or standards.

Tips for Finding the Best Company for SOAR Security

If your company is looking for a SOAR security provider, it can be tough to know which one will be the best fit. With so many options out there, it can be difficult to narrow down your choices and find the right company that meets your needs. To help make this decision easier, here are a few tips on how to choose the right SOAR security provider for your business.

Start by Researching Security Companies 

The first step in finding the right SOAR security provider is researching potential companies. Start by looking at online reviews and ratings from other customers. These should give you an idea of what kind of services each company offers and how satisfied their customers have been. You can also check out industry forums and blogs to see what people are saying about different providers. This research should give you a good idea of which companies offer the best services for your particular needs.

Understand Your Requirements 

Before deciding on a SOAR security provider, it is important to understand your specific requirements so that you can find a company that meets them all. Consider factors such as budget, scalability, and especially compatibility with existing systems, processes or workflows. Make sure you fully understand what kind of service you need from a SOAR security provider before making any decisions.

Look for Experience 

Experience is key when choosing a SOAR security provider, so look for companies that have been in business for several years or more and have worked with multiple clients in various industries. This is very important when you consider the processes your organization has in place when responding to incidents. Be sure to work with a SOAR security provider who can build out runbooks and processes which are not generic, but designed specifically for your business. Companies with extensive experience are more likely to provide high-quality services and know exactly how to meet your needs. 

Finding the right SOAR security provider does not have to be difficult if you follow these tips. Start by doing research on potential providers, understanding your requirements, and looking for experience in order to make sure you get the most out of your investment. Taking these steps will help ensure that you choose the best possible company for securing your business’s valuable data and systems from cyber threats.

SOAR Security Professionals at NetWitness

In today’s digital age, cyber security is a top priority. To protect your business from the latest threats, you need the industry’s best tools and technologies. That is why NetWitness has become the go-to solution for many organizations looking to secure their infrastructure. Let us take a look at why NetWitness is such an attractive option for cyber security.

Real-time Visibility and Analysis

NetWitness provides real-time visibility across multiple networks and devices, giving you greater awareness of potential threats. It does this by collecting data from network traffic, log sources and endpoints and analyzing that data set for malicious activity in real-time. This allows you to quickly detect potential issues before they become serious problems, saving you time and money in the long run.

Productive Capabilities

Our automation system lets our technicians prioritize and investigate threats fast. This allows the team to coordinate faster across the entire security team. 

Fastest Threat Detection

With NetWitness at your side, we’re able to detect cybersecurity threats faster and more smoothly than other platforms. And we’re able to view and determine the full scope of the attack so we can help you implement defenses as soon as possible.

Proactive Response and Prevention

NetWitness also helps to proactively recognize and diagnose attacks by using threat intelligence to help identify suspicious indicators of compromise before they become an issue. This helps reduce the chance of experiencing a successful attack on your organization.

Threat Hunting and Investigation

Finally, NetWitness makes it easy to investigate any suspicious activity that has been identified on your network or devices. It provides an intuitive analyst interface and detailed reports so you can quickly identify potential malicious activity or malware within your environment and take action accordingly. This makes it easier than ever before to investigate any potential threats and find out exactly where they originated from, reducing risk to your organization significantly in the process.

More Than Just SOAR

NetWitness can ensure that your organization stays up to date with the latest protection. Our goal is to protect your bottom line so you can focus on what’s important while we focus on keeping your business safe from potential threats. We can educate your team on what to look out for when it comes to breaches. And we have several other services that can protect your business from threats.

Cyber security is an essential part of doing business today but ensuring maximum protection can be a challenge for many organizations. Between figuring out if you want to hire a team to ensure your company has cyber security or to outsoure a team. There are many components to consider. That is why more businesses are turning to NetWitness as their go-to solution for cyber security needs — because we provide countless features compared to the other guys and having your own team, such as:

  • Real-time visibility across multiple networks and devices.
  • Powerful threat-hunting capabilities that make investigations easier than ever before.
  • Automation of response procedures and remediation tasks during and after an incident.
  • Faster threat detection than the other platforms.
  • Understand and know the full scope of the threat quicker and more efficiently.
  • And more!

So if you’re looking for a reliable and quick way to keep your business safe from cyber threats, NetWitness should be at the top of your list. We can help you with extended detection and response, network detection and response, log detection and response and SIEM, endpoint detection and response, security orchestration and automation, and threat intelligence platform. If you want to learn more about what we can do for your business, contact us today to get started with securing your business.