Knowing that cybersecurity threats are out there is the starting point for keeping an organization’s network safe. Preparing for potential threats is also important. But when all is said and done, the thing that makes or breaks an organization’s security is its ability to respond when attacks come. Enter Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR).
SOAR integration is quickly gaining traction among both SMEs and global corporations. In a general sense, SOAR is a selection of cybersecurity technologies that bring automation and streamlined processes to incident response. For the remainder of this post, I am going to focus on SOAR’s security orchestration component.
The Foundational Element
Among the three elements of the SOAR concept, security orchestration is clearly the foundation on which the whole thing is built. Security orchestration dictates integrating and coordinating a diverse selection of data sources, security tools and systems, and processes into a unified and streamlined workflow.
Orchestration is necessary because today’s cybersecurity environments are filled with disparate systems and processes that are more siloed than ever before. And when processes and systems don’t work together, large security holes go unplugged. Security orchestration fixes that problem.
5 Key Aspects
It might be easier to understand security orchestration by looking at its key aspects. According to SOAR integration specialist DarkOwl, there are five of them:
- System Integration – In order for hardware, software, and processes to work seamlessly together, there needs to be an integration layer. SOAR platforms rely on APIs, software connectors, and custom-designed integrations to bridge the gaps between hardware, software, and security tools.
- Workflow Coordination – Even with an integration layer, incompatible workflows hamper interactions between software and hardware. Security orchestration dictates automated, repeatable workflows that span every tool and team in the system. Alerts trigger coordinated actions, keeping everyone on the same page.
- Silo Elimination – Orchestration eliminates the operational silos that plague so many network security systems. Centralizing processes and workflows contributes to better collaboration and visibility and crosses an entire ecosystem.
- Data Enrichment – Data is critical to incident response. Through certain orchestration tools and processes, critical data is automatically enriched via both internal and external intelligence. The result is more accurate prioritization of potential threats. Faster incident response is also expected.
- Automated Responses – Along with faster incident response come automated responses. Orchestration ensures that the right tasks are executed by triggering the right tools in a predetermined sequence. It is all built on playbooks that take much of the ambiguity out of incident response.
Think of security orchestration as similar to managing a literal orchestra. The conductor organizes all the musicians. He arranges the music. He keeps everyone on the same page so that when it is time for the concert, the entire group can come together to pull off a memorable performance. Security orchestration does the same thing for incident response.
Why Security Orchestration Is a Good Idea
Organizations can invest in automation and certain improvements to incident response without diving into SOAR. But to do that is to leave behind security orchestration. That makes little sense. Security orchestration is a good idea because it:
- Improves efficiency
- Enhances consistency and accuracy
- Facilitates better collaboration
- Is easily scaled depending on system need
- Offers centralized control across the ecosystem
SOAR integration is built on a foundation of security orchestration. Just like an orchestra is not ready to play without its conductor, an organization’s incident response is inadequate without the centralization and coordination security orchestration provides. The need for robust orchestration is motivation enough for organizations to invest in a SOAR platform from a provider like DarkOwl.
