SOAR – What we need to know?

Introduction

SOAR stands for Security Orchestration, Automation and Response. It is a collection and solution stack of a few software’s that are compatible with each other that makes big organizations able to collect security-related data and information from many sources around the web. This software can also respond to low-level security issues without any IT person’s assistance. SOAR was initially introduced to improve physical security and security of digital operations.

SOAR aims to improve the Cybersecurity of organizations that are built over the internet and monitor and carry around their business operations on the internet. SOAR technologies have three major capabilities:

1. Security incident response
2. Threat and vulnerability management
3. Automation of security operations

Security incident response:

In order to have an effective and pocket-friendly approach towards Cybersecurity, many companies are opting for SOAR tools that enable security incident response these tools better support how companies plan and manage systems’ responses towards security incidents. It includes processes that are designed to allow security teams to contain cyber-attacks or security breach incidents and enhance measures to control damage caused by such attacks. In addition to this, these incident response processes also make sure that the after-effects of the attack are handled smoothly and help in recovery. Modern tools and technology allow for the remediating of security hold and forensics along with loopholes in communication and performing auditing. SOAR methods allow for reactive incident response.

Threat and vulnerability management

In this aspect, threats and vulnerabilities are managed and controlled. These processes offer remediation of vulnerabilities. This aspect of SOAR also provides formalized workflows and other capabilities such as reporting and collaboration. Threat hunting and management is the main activity for a proactive approach towards cyber threats. Skilled security analysts are hired for the purpose of detecting vulnerabilities. Data is analyzed and queried using Security Information and Event System (SIEM), penetration testing, also called pen testing and running vulnerability scans. The aim of this type of hunting is to find or discover an unknown vulnerability that any hacker can possibly discover and compromise the system through exploiting that vulnerability.

Automation of security operations

The best part about SOAR is that it also focuses on the automation of processes and introduces tools and technologies that emerge in order to facilitate organizations and IT security specialists. Many companies opt for in-house augmented SIEM software. In fact, in the future, SSIEM vendors are expected to add SOAR elements within SIEM. Automation is required to speed up the processes that discover vulnerabilities and threats. SOAR also collects data from different sources and alerts users and corporate. It also encodes incident analysis and different response procedures in an automated flow format which enables automation of most of the incident responses that occur in the cyber world. This minimizes risks of data breaches and also reduces disruption caused by data breaches; it is only possible if a timely response is made. SOAR tools enable organization professionals to reduce mean time to detect (MTTD) along with reducing mean time to respond (MTTR) through activating security alerts that enable professionals to act fast and in a timely manner. Automated responses include blocking IP addresses suspending and locating endpoints in a network, suspending user accounts and managing firewalls.

SOAR Tools

There are many SOAR tools present in the market and due to their efficiency and demand; the number of tools is increasing every year. Following are a few SOAR tools that are popular in the market these days, for example:

1. Threat Connect:  this is a software tool offered by Threat Connect Company which is a full security automation platform for organizations offering functions like reducing workloads, automate Cybersecurity tasks, detecting phishing emails, and transferring data to apps and real-time information providing features.
2. Cybersponse: this software offers a set of playbooks along with offering intelligent alerts and blocking malicious male ware and real-time responses to network security problems.
3. Log Rhythm: this software reduces resource constraints and is able to manage security by functions like quarantining endpoints, collecting machine data, suspending access to the network through firewall. This enables to uplift security automation methods and strategies of companies.

Conclusion

SOAR is the necessity of today. Every security measure is the reason for tomorrow’s vulnerability. Hence companies that run on the internet, especially the cloud, have to be more vigilant with security management. SOAR solutions provide state of the art security measurements in an automated fashion and make the tasks of IT experts easier. In this way, Security experts can focus on research and analysis in a better manner.