Security Operations Centres (SOCs) face many challenges when it comes to managing and responding to security incidents. One of the biggest headaches analysts face is the manual triaging process – spending more than half their time on tedious manual tasks. During manual triage, analysts must painstakingly gather information from various sources to piece together relevant data. This approach is not only time-consuming but is also prone to inconsistencies and delays in incident response.
Automated alert triage can offer a helping hand. It is a rapid, efficient alternative to manual processes as it automates routine tasks and provides analysts with actionable insights. Although it offers a variety of benefits, there are key differences between manual and automated triage, and specific thresholds for when manual intervention is required. Let’s delve into it!
Manual triage vs automated triage
Manual alert triage
As the day begins at the SOC, a steady influx of alerts makes their way into the monitoring dashboard. Each alert represents a potential security incident, ranging from suspicious network activity to malware detections and everything in-between. During the triaging process, there are steps that analysts must follow to assess and categorise each alert – Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). These steps are essential for identifying the severity of the incident, determining its potential impact on the organisation’s security posture, and deciding on the appropriate course of action.
The alert triage process:
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- Enrichment
- Initial Triage
- Analysis & Investigation
- Decision & Escalation
- Documenting
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During the manual triaging process, analysts will follow these sequential steps to assess and respond to security alerts or incidents. The enrichment phase involves gathering initial data about the alert to understand its context. Next, in the initial triage stage, predefined searches are conducted to produce preliminary findings, setting the groundwork for further investigation. In the analysis and investigation phase, recommendations for escalation or closure are made based on the gathered data, allowing analysts to determine the severity of the incident.
In the decision and escalation phase, appropriate remediation actions, such as password resets or device locking, are implemented based on the assessment. Finally, in the documenting phase, detailed information about the alert, along with the actions taken, are recorded for future reference and analysis.
A SOC team, even one operating 24/7, can become a factory of human-intensive tasks. The sheer volume of events, multiplied by the number of customers/users and the duration of threats, creates an environment polluted by human errors and inefficiencies.
Automated alert triage
Now let’s take a look at using automation for alert triage.
Automated triage can follow similar steps as an analyst when an alert is triggered.
In phase one, predefined searches are run, providing analysts with output to inform their decisions. During phase two, automation takes it a step further by recommending whether an incident should be escalated or closed based on gathered information.
Analysts can then validate these recommendations. In phase three, the automation handles the entire process from start to finish without analyst intervention, providing all necessary information to the customer if escalation is required, or closing if the activity is benign.
Phase four includes remediation actions all orchestrated by the automation. Once set up, these automations support incidents from start to finish, with periodic checks and tweaks for efficiency.
What are the benefits of automated alert triage?
We’ve talked a lot about the difference between manual and automated alert triage, but what are the actual benefits to your SOC?
Reduced MTTRe
Implementing automated alert triage reduces Mean Time to Respond (MTTRe), which is vital for effective triage. By minimising MTTRe, you shrink the exposure window during which attackers could exploit vulnerabilities.
Reduced Alert Fatigue
Alert fatigue is one of the most pressing issues SOC teams face. Analysts can spend over half their time manually investigating alerts. This prolonged manual process not only consumes valuable time but also increases the likelihood of errors due to the monotony of certain tasks. Automation can take care of routine tasks whilst ensuring consistency every time.
SOC Efficiency
By automating repetitive alerts, automation helps save valuable time for analysts, enabling them to focus on strategic tasks that demand higher-level thinking. This not only increases productivity in your team but allows them to address more critical and complex challenges.
Talent Gap
It’s no secret that security teams are struggling with lack of resources, budget and technology. Automation serves as a force multiplier, allowing you to do more with fewer resources. The combination of automating routine tasks and amplifying human decision-making with machine intelligence helps bridge the talent gap.
Cost Reduction
Automation reduces the need for a full-fledged SOC team, meaning you can significantly cut costs while improving operational effectiveness. By automating repetitive and time-consuming tasks, such as alert triage, enrichment, and response, you can operate more efficiently without the need to add more people.
CASE STUDY: CloudGuard automation saves Amazon Filters 52 days vs manual methods
The challenges of automated alert triage
Automation reacts quickly to known threats by triggering pre-built automations, but it often lags behind in addressing novel threats. This lag occurs because new threats need to be identified, researched, and then integrated into existing automation systems, a process that takes time. Also, automation relies on predefined rules and algorithms, which may not be equipped to handle emerging threat scenarios effectively.
At CloudGuard, we tackle this challenge by integrating third party threat intelligence sources into our technology such as Recorded Future.
Final thoughts
Automated alert triage helps ease the challenges faced by your SOC every day. It simplifies incident handling processes and solves common challenges, like alert fatigue, to improve SOC efficiency and effectiveness.
Its structured approach, together with predefined workflows, ensures consistency and accuracy in your incident assessment and response. Automated alert triage should only be used to complement your existing SOC operations. Businesses can’t full rely on automation for alert triage as manual intervention is still essential for addressing issues that automation may encounter. CloudGuard believes in utilising both automation and a SOC team to ensure optimal alert triage and incident response.
CloudGuard
If you’re concerned about how open your business is to potential cyber attacks, the key thing is to understand the areas in which you’re currently vulnerable. One of the quickest and most effective ways to do this is by undergoing a comprehensive security assessment.
