Security operations centers (SOCs) are the front lines in the battle against cyber threats. They use a diverse array of security controls to monitor, detect, and swiftly respond to any cyber menace.These controls are essential for keeping information systems safe around the clock.
Modern SOCs in large organizations handle between 75 to 100 different tools, partnering with a variety of security vendors. Let’s explore the key types of SOC tools you might encounter and what they do:
Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
SIEM technology is a critical tool for managing security threats, ensuring compliance, and handling security incidents. It operates by gathering and examining security-related events and data, doing so not only in near-real-time, but also retrospectively. This technology pulls together and manages a vast array of log event data, analyzing it alongside various other data sources to identify security issues. Key features of SIEM systems include their extensive log event collection and management capabilities, their power to correlate and analyze information from different sources, and their operational features, which include incident management, dashboards, and comprehensive reporting.
Think of SIEMs as the SOC’s central nervous system. They gather logs from tools throughout your network and create security alerts based on detection rules you define.
Notable Examples: Microsoft, Splunk, Elastic, LogRhythm.
Read: SIEM vs. SOAR: How they Differ and Why they Work Well Together
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)
EDR systems are designed predominantly for the identification and examination of anomalous actions or other issues present on networked devices or endpoints. EDR tools are like vigilant guards monitoring every computer and server. They often require agents to be installed on each individual device. They then monitor activity on that device—from running processes to login attempts—and trigger alerts when needed. EDR tools can also be used to run updates on the device, trigger scans, and delete files.
Notable Examples: CrowdStrike, Cybereason, Carbon Black.
Read: Improve Endpoint Security Operations with SOAR
Network Detection and Response (NDR)
NDR solutions are designed to identify unusual patterns or behaviors within systems by leveraging advanced behavioral analytics on data derived from network traffic. These solutions scrutinize either the raw packets or the metadata of network traffic traversing within internal (east-west) and between internal and external (north-south) networks. The deployment of NDR technologies can be through a mix of physical and virtual appliances that serve as sensors, coupled with a centralized management and orchestration platform available as either on-site software or a cloud-based service (SaaS). They are experts at spotting unauthorized access or malicious requests in your network’s ebb and flow.
Notable Examples: Darktrace, Cisco, ExtraHop Reveal(x).
Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR)
SOAR refers to an integrated platform that merges capabilities crucial for incident response, orchestrating tasks, automating processes, and managing threat intelligence. These platforms are instrumental in codifying and executing security protocols—often referred to as playbooks, or workflows —aiding in the comprehensive management of security incidents. They combine automation with human expertise, enhancing accuracy, precision, and speed of SOC and incident response teams. Through seamless integrations with various technologies, SOAR platforms facilitate orchestrated workflows, enabling automatic execution of specific security actions, including but not limited to:
- Alert triage and normalization
- Incident response
- Curating and managing threat intelligence
- Leveraging frameworks like MITRE ATT&CK and D3FEND
- Case management
- Threat hunting
- MDR, MXDR and MSIEM enablement for MSSPs.
Threat Intelligence Platforms (TIP)
Threat intelligence platforms collect and analyze data on potential security threats to help organizations make informed decisions about protecting their assets. They provide comprehensive insights by examining the nature, indicators, and potential impacts of threats. These platforms offer specific guidance on how to address and mitigate threats effectively, aiding in preemptive security measures and rapid response to incidents.
Notable Examples: Anomali ThreatStream, ZeroFOX, Recorded Future.
Watch: Take Action On External Threats with SOAR and TIP
Vulnerability Assessment Tools
Vulnerability assessment tools are like health check-ups for your IT environment. They identify, sort, and prioritize security flaws while guiding remediation. They assess vulnerabilities and configurations to mitigate enterprise risk and ensure compliance. These tools offer:
- Detection and reporting of vulnerabilities in devices, software, and configurations.
- A reference point for monitoring system changes.
- Compliance and risk reporting tailored to various roles.
Key features include efficient remediation prioritization based on vulnerability severity and asset importance, remediation guidance, scanner and agent management, and integration with asset and patch management systems. Essential for SOC teams, VA tools enhance security and operational efficiency.
Notable Examples: Qualys, Tenable, Rapid7 InsightVM.
Forensic Analysis Tools
Forensic analysis tools are designed to gather unprocessed information from digital devices. This includes retrieving files that are concealed or have been removed, aiding in electronic discovery and the examination of digital behaviors and activities. They come into play after a cyber attack, dissecting what happened to inform your team on attack vectors, vulnerabilities, and indicators of attack. These are the best type of tool to prevent ransomware from clicked links at an early attack stage.
Notable Examples: CrowdStrike Falcon Sandbox, Cuckoo Sandbox, VMRay Analyzer.
Identity and Access Management (IAM)
Identity and Access Management (IAM) represents a critical aspect of both security protocols and business strategies, involving a diverse array of technologies and procedures aimed at ensuring only authorized users or systems gain access to specific resources when needed and for legitimate purposes. This framework plays a pivotal role in safeguarding against unauthorized entry and fraudulent activities by managing and monitoring user identities and their access permissions to company assets.
Think of IAM systems as your digital bouncers, making sure only the right people can get into your IT club. They’re crucial for keeping intruders out.
Notable Examples: Okta, Microsoft Entra ID, CyberArk Privileged Access Security
Read: Identity-Driven Security Operations with Smart SOAR
Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
Data Loss Prevention (DLP) refers to tools aimed at identifying and safeguarding sensitive data within a document, email, network packet, application, or storage system. This protection covers data in all states: stored on physical or cloud-based systems (at rest), engaged in active processes or applications (in use), or being transmitted over networks (in transit). DLP solutions offer the capability to implement real-time policies for actions such as logging, reporting, classifying, moving, labeling, and encrypting data, in addition to enforcing controls for data rights management across the organization.
DLP solutions are the keepers of your digital secrets, ensuring sensitive info doesn’t slip through the cracks.
Notable Examples: Symantec, Digital Guardian, Forcepoint.
Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS)/Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS)
Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS) are specialized tools that analyze network traffic to spot and stop cyber threats. These tools, which can be either hardware or virtual, are placed within networks to examine data passing through initial security measures like firewalls. IDPSs work by reconstructing network traffic and using various methods—such as signature matching, anomaly detection, behavioral analysis, and threat intelligence—to identify attacks. When operating in real-time, they can block detected threats, offering a crucial defense layer against sophisticated cyber attacks that older systems might miss.
IDS and IPS are the SOC’s early warning system, detecting and blocking threats before they can do harm.
Notable Examples: Cisco, Palo Alto Networks, Check Point.
Extended Detection and Response (XDR)
Extended Detection and Response (XDR) solutions are designed to identify and automatically respond to security incidents. They leverage a combination of threat intelligence and data gathered from various sources, utilizing security analytics to enhance the correlation and context of security alerts. XDR solutions are particularly beneficial for entities with smaller security teams.
Notable Examples: SentinelOne, CrowdStrike, Stellar Cyber XDR.
Read: Why XDR is Not a Replacement for SOAR
Email Security
Email security solutions are designed to secure both incoming and outgoing communications by thwarting phishing attempts and preventing data leaks. Their capabilities range from spam and malware filtering, blocking malicious links and file attachments, and protecting against business email compromise (BEC) attacks. These solutions often support data loss prevention (DLP) strategies and offer email encryption to protect sensitive information.
Notable Examples: Proofpoint, Mimecast, Barracuda Networks.
Web Security
Web security solutions protect websites and web-based services from a variety of security risks, such as DDoS attacks, vulnerabilities, API abuse, and data theft. Organizations deploy these solutions to mitigate the risk of cyberattacks and data breaches, while maintaining website availability for users.
Notable Examples: Zscaler, Fortinet, Cloudflare
Streamline Your SOC with Smart SOAR
Each tool in the SOC arsenal plays a unique role in defending against cyber threats. By wisely choosing and using these tools, SOCs can boost their detection, investigation, and response capabilities, solidifying their organization’s defense against the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats.
Smart SOAR has integrations with all the major SOC tool providers and IT solutions you need to support your security automation program. Our vendor-agnostic integrations are updated and professionally maintained by the industry’s largest engineering team dedicated to SOAR, ensuring your SecOps stays resilient and efficient. Reduce false positives alerts by over 91% and let your analysts focus on real threats. Request a demo today and see the difference we can make in your SOC.
