Overcoming Security Alert Fatigue

Alert fatigue represents more than a mere inconvenience for Security Operations Centre (SOC) teams; it poses a tangible threat to enterprise security.

When analysts confront a deluge of thousands of alerts daily, each necessitating triage, investigation, and correlation, valuable time is easily squandered on false positives, potentially overlooking genuine indicators of an enterprise-wide data breach.

On average, SOC teams contend with nearly 500 investigation-worthy endpoint security alerts each week, with ensuing investigations consuming 65% of their time. Compounding the issue, security teams grapple with under-resourcing, understaffing, and the burden of manual processes.

This is according to a recent Cybereason whitepaper titled 'Eliminate Alert Fatigue: A Guide to more Efficient & Effective SOC Teams'.

These hurdles not only frustrate SOC team members, leading to stress, burnout, and turnover, but also detrimentally impact the organisation's overall security posture. An operation-centric approach is imperative to effectively address these challenges, enabling the correlation of alerts, identification of root causes, provision of complete visibility into attack timelines, and simultaneous automation of tasks to enhance analyst efficiency significantly.

The relentless barrage of security alerts inundating SOC teams poses more than just a nuisance; it constitutes a genuine threat to enterprise security.

The phenomenon known as alert fatigue not only overwhelms analysts but also compromises the ability to discern genuine threats amidst the noise, potentially leading to catastrophic consequences for organisational security.

At the core of alert fatigue lies information overload, exacerbated by the design of Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) platforms that prioritise visibility over discernment. An oversensitive SIEM inundates analysts with alerts for even the slightest anomalies, drowning them in a sea of data without clear indications of genuine threats.

Moreover, manual processes further impede efficiency, forcing analysts to navigate across disparate tools and siloed systems, amplifying the challenge of alert fatigue.

The consequences of alert fatigue extend far beyond mere inconvenience; they engender unacceptable outcomes for organisational security. Analysts, overwhelmed by the deluge of alerts and burdened by manual review processes, find themselves with insufficient time to focus on genuine threats, leading to critical detections being overlooked or delayed.

This not only prolongs response and remediation times but also increases the likelihood of undetected attacks, amplifying the damage inflicted upon the organisation.

To address the scourge of alert fatigue and enhance SOC efficiency, a paradigm shift is imperative. Enter the Cybereason Malicious Operation (MalOp) Detection, a groundbreaking approach that transcends traditional alert-centric models.

By contextualising alerts within the broader narrative of malicious operations, the MalOp provides analysts with a comprehensive view of attacks, correlating data across all impacted endpoints to streamline investigations and response efforts.

Central to the MalOp approach is the automation of mundane tasks, empowering analysts to focus their efforts on strategic analysis rather than laborious manual processes. By understanding the full narrative of an attack, Cybereason facilitates tailored response playbooks, enabling swift and decisive action with a single click, without sacrificing the necessity of human intervention.

Real-world success stories attest to the efficacy of the MalOp approach, with organisations experiencing exponential improvements in operational effectiveness and efficiency. By transitioning from an alert-centric to an operation-centric model, SOC teams can overcome the scourge of alert fatigue and bolster organisational security against evolving threats.

In essence, overcoming alert fatigue requires a holistic approach that combines advanced technology with human expertise, empowering SOC teams to stay ahead of adversaries and safeguard organisational assets.

Brandon Rochat is Regional Sales Director - Africa at Cybereason

You Might Also Read: 

Prioritising  Prevention Is Better Than Paying Ransom:

___________________________________________________________________________________________

If you like this website and use the comprehensive 6,500-plus service supplier Directory, you can get unrestricted access, including the exclusive in-depth Directors Report series, by signing up for a Premium Subscription.

  • Individual £5 per month or £50 per year. Sign Up
  • Multi-User, Corporate & Library Accounts Available on Request

Cyber Security Intelligence: Captured Organised & Accessible


 

« The Cyber Security Skills Gap Is A Chicken & Egg Problem
Phishing-as-a-Service Platform LabHost  Is Turned Over »

CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81

Directory of Suppliers

FT Cyber Resilience Summit: Europe

FT Cyber Resilience Summit: Europe

27 November 2024 | In-Person & Digital | 22 Bishopsgate, London. Business leaders, Innovators & Experts address evolving cybersecurity risks.

ON-DEMAND WEBINAR: What Is A Next-Generation Firewall (and why does it matter)?

ON-DEMAND WEBINAR: What Is A Next-Generation Firewall (and why does it matter)?

Watch this webinar to hear security experts from Amazon Web Services (AWS) and SANS break down the myths and realities of what an NGFW is, how to use one, and what it can do for your security posture.

CSI Consulting Services

CSI Consulting Services

Get Advice From The Experts: * Training * Penetration Testing * Data Governance * GDPR Compliance. Connecting you to the best in the business.

North Infosec Testing (North IT)

North Infosec Testing (North IT)

North IT (North Infosec Testing) are an award-winning provider of web, software, and application penetration testing.

ManageEngine

ManageEngine

As the IT management division of Zoho Corporation, ManageEngine prioritizes flexible solutions that work for all businesses, regardless of size or budget.

NCX Group

NCX Group

NCX Group is committed to helping customers identify and mitigate the risks inherent in today’s interconnected environments and business processes.

Intercede

Intercede

Intercede is a cybersecurity company specializing in digital identities, derived credentials and access control, enabling digital trust in a mobile world.

InteliSecure

InteliSecure

InteliSecure offer Professional Services, Security Assessments and Managed Services for data and threat protection.

The Open Group

The Open Group

The Open Group: Leading the development of open, vendor-neutral IT standards and certifications.

Ponemon Institute

Ponemon Institute

Ponemon Institute conducts independent research on data protection and emerging information technologies.

Emagined Security

Emagined Security

Emagined Security is a leading provider of professional services for Information Security and Compliance solutions.

Humming Heads

Humming Heads

Humming Heads offers a complete solution to fight the advanced threats that target a company's endpoints and servers.

Sovrin Foundation

Sovrin Foundation

The Sovrin Foundation is a private-sector, international non-profit that was established to govern the world's first self-sovereign identity (SSI) network.

Cardonet

Cardonet

Cardonet is an IT Support and IT Services business offering end-to-end IT services, 24x7 IT Support to IT Consultancy, Managed IT and Cyber Security.

Varen Technologies

Varen Technologies

Varen Technologies is an innovative consulting partner with highly respected cyber security, analytics, Agile Software Development and IT/maintenance expertise.

Emtec

Emtec

Emtec’s cyber security team provides advisory, assessment, & managed security services that help you build the cyber security policies, toolsets & best practices to elevate your cyber security posture

Rausch Advisory Services

Rausch Advisory Services

Rausch delivers solutions that address compliance, enterprise risk, information technology and human resource capital.

Advent One

Advent One

Advent One are recognised for solving intricate dilemmas, not only making technology work but building foundations that customers can grow upon in an effective and secure way.

Onyxia Cyber

Onyxia Cyber

Onyxia's unique dynamic cybersecurity platform identifies gaps and prioritizes recommendations for proactive cybersecurity strategy, performance, remediation and management.

Digital Security by Design (DSbD)

Digital Security by Design (DSbD)

Digital Security by Design is an initiative supported by the UK government to transform digital technology and create a more resilient, and secure foundation for a safer future.

Conosco

Conosco

Conosco are industry-leading experts throughout the UK in strategic consulting, project delivery, business communications, support, and security.