This blog post is part of a series of cyber incident top tips, you can view them all here.
The Dangers of Automated Response and How to Strike a Balance
For those seasoned in cyber security, systems that promise an ‘automated’ response to breaches may be alluring in vendor demos, but in real-world scenarios the results are far from convincing. For example, the first time a critical system or an executive’s laptop is mistakenly disabled, such systems are often swiftly turned off and never used again. However, the dangers of automated responses extend far beyond these immediate frustrations.
The Hidden Risks of Automation
Imagine you’ve invested in the latest endpoint security solution, one that vows to remediate all breaches autonomously, simplifying your life. A breach occurs, the software kicks in, and everything appears to work flawlessly. The threat is neutralised, and you sleep easy, assured that the automated system has done its job.
But let’s delve deeper: Where did the attack vector originate? Was the attacker already inside your network, merely blocked from one pathway? If the attacker adapts, changing their tactics and routes, they might compromise your domain controllers, setting the stage for a major ransomware attack. In this scenario, has your ‘successful’ automated response inadvertently made you complacent?
The Role of Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)
While automated responses such as Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) play a critical role in initial breach mitigation, they cannot replace the nuanced understanding and strategic insight of human experts. EDR offers real-time threat detection, incident response capabilities, and enhanced visibility into endpoint activities within an organisation. By focusing on detecting, investigating, and mitigating suspicious activities on endpoints, EDR ensures overall organisational security.
However, automated systems, including EDR, lack the ability to interpret the subtleties of a breach or to anticipate the evolving tactics of sophisticated attackers. Without human oversight, there’s a real risk of missing critical indicators that suggest a more significant compromise.
The Need for Human Expertise
Automated responses are ideal at handling routine tasks and initial breach responses, but they cannot provide the context and holistic view that a security professional brings. Human experts assess the full scope of an incident, discerning whether an isolated event is part of a larger, more coordinated attack and deciding on a response plan. They bring a deeper understanding of the incident and can adapt strategies in real-time, something automated systems are not equipped to do.
A Balanced Approach
The key to effective cyber security lies in blending automation with professional human analysis. Automated tools can handle routine tasks and initial breach responses, allowing security specialists to focus on deeper investigations and strategic planning.
Here’s how to strike the right balance:
- Integrate automated alerts with human review: Use automated systems to flag potential breaches, make sure that they are reviewed by experienced security professionals
- Regularly update and test systems: Continuously improve your automated tools based on real-world feedback and evolving threats
- Train and empower your security team: Equip your team with the latest knowledge and tools to interpret automated alerts and respond effectively
- Conduct post-incident analysis: After any breach, perform a thorough review to understand the full attack vector and refine your defences
Conclusion
While automated response systems offer valuable tools in the fight against cyber threats, they are not a cure-all remedy. The danger for organisations lies in over-reliance on automation and the false sense of security that it can create. True cyber security resilience comes from a blend of automated efficiency and human intelligence, ensuring that every breach is understood in its full context and responded to accordingly.
Need Some Help?
We provide comprehensive cyber security solutions that combine advanced automation tools with expert human analysis. Our team of security specialists can help you to build an incident response strategy, putting procedures and systems in place to quickly react to a security breach when it happens, as well as contingencies for critical systems and applications.
This blog post is part of a series of cyber incident top tips, you can view them all below:
- Tip 01: Taking advantage of ransomware’s biggest secret!
- Tip 02: Securing your backups from vulnerabilities
- Tip 03: Beware of automated response dangers!
- Tip 04: The importance of disconnecting yourself during a breach
- Tip 05: How to integrate your anti-virus protection with SIEM
- Tip 06: Ensure that your insurance covers cyber incidents
- Tip 07: Preparing for the worst – rebuilding after a major ransomware attack
- Tip 08: Who you should call first during a cyber breach
- Tip 09: Hold onto the evidence – why securing system logs is essential for cyber incident response
- Tip 10: What you need to know to make sure your penetration testing is effective
- Tip 11: Why tabletop exercises are crucial for incident response
- Tip 12: Famous last words – misconceptions before a major cyber breach