Automation has incorporated itself with almost every field of technology. Examples of automation of technologies can range from complex processes like software development to simple operations like filling forms. However, in recent years, the security sector has seen a rise in demand for its automation. A recent Ponemon Institute survey of more than 1,400 IT and IT security practitioners show that 79 percent of respondents either currently use automation tools and platforms within their organization or plan to use them within the next six months to three years. Thus, security automation has now become more of a necessity than a mere requirement.
Contrary to the name, security automation implies the automation of security-related operations instead of just automation of security. Though, in time, the term has come to encompass not only just the automation of security operations but also detection and analysis of threats to prevent the occurrence of such risks in the future. As mentioned above, dealing with rapid onslaughts of cybersecurity threats can prove a bit too much for SecOps and Security teams when dealt with manually. This method can prove especially taxing when the team deals with false-positives. Resolution and then subsequent preparation of precaution of a threat manually may take hours to months. Security automation takes over repetitive, tedious tasks. It allows security teams to focus their efforts on more valuable tasks like threat hunting, conducting forensics in threats, and strategic planning.
However, like any other technology, even security automation has challenges to overcome. By utilizing automation, the impact of the risk can be assessed, but not the impact of the risk on overall system performance. It is difficult for SecOps to determine whether mitigation of the risk improved the system or created an adverse effect. This problem can be addressed by interlinking system operatives with SecOps to help them understand the impact of the risk on the production line. Though many security operations can be automated, analysts still need to carry out manual decisions if and when required. The security team needs to automate actions rather than automating decisions when required successfully.
Despite the challenges, advancements in security automation are progressing rapidly. Solution providers are incorporating AI and machine learning to predict and prevent future threats. Attempts are also being made to combine security information and event management (SIEM) with security orchestration, automation, and response to further improve security in any organization.
Such developments lead to a market saturated with solution providers that specialize in different aspects of security automation. To help organizations find the solution provider best suited for their needs, Enterprise Security Magazine presents our “Top 10 Security Automation Solution Providers 2019.”
