How do you define the efficacy and maturity measurement of a SOAR platform ? What could be the top use cases other than the playbook automation necessary for maturity of the SOAR platform?
Most SOAR platforms that I’ve come across are a part of a larger offering (e.g. Rapid7, Crowdstrike) so I’ve never thought of SOAR as a stand alone platform. However, I would consider the following in terms of maturity:
Understand the Playbook Automation (which is what most people are going to use this for): Evaluate the platform's ability to automate incident response workflows effectively. What are its Integration Capabilities: Assess how well the platform integrates with diverse security tools and systems. Incident Enrichment: Measure the platform's capability to enhance incident data with contextual information and threat intelligence. Does it have the ability to automate threat detection and response: Evaluate the effectiveness of automated mechanisms in identifying and responding to known threats. Is it scalable: Assess the platform's ability to handle a growing volume of security events and incidents. What does the user interface/experience look like (super important): Evaluate the user interface, workflow design, and overall user experience for efficient utilization. Is the platform intuitive enough not to have to go through hours of training to use? Does it have the ability to report incidents and utilize metrics: Analyze reporting capabilities, tracking key performance indicators related to incident response. Does it (truly) support threat-hunting capabilities: Evaluate the platform's support for proactive threat-hunting activities. Can the responses be adaptive: Assess the platform's agility in adapting to new threats and updating response mechanisms. Compliance and Governance: Evaluate alignment with industry regulations and security governance frameworks.
As for use cases (outside of playbook automation), here are a few:
Incident Enrichment and Investigation Threat Intelligence Integration Phishing Response and Mitigation User Account Provisioning and Deprovisioning Vulnerability Management and Patching Security Incident Coordination Regulatory Compliance Automation Automated Threat Hunting Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Incident Response
I’m sure there are others, but every organization is different. SOAR isn’t a replacement for a good SOC team, but if done correctly, it can be a powerful tool to help them with a lot of the mundane stuff that leads to burnout.
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Insights around the future of IT automation9%
Opportunity to get hands on with new technologies53%
Discussions of best practices with peers19%
Direct engagement with members of the technology ecosystem (exhibitors, presenters, attendees)13%
Direct access to consultative help on implementing enterprise automation solutions3%
Other
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There has been an upswell in demand for the use of MCP servers for our development community. What security criteria and considerations do you use for performing a security review, hardening and approval process?
Most SOAR platforms that I’ve come across are a part of a larger offering (e.g. Rapid7, Crowdstrike) so I’ve never thought of SOAR as a stand alone platform. However, I would consider the following in terms of maturity:
Understand the Playbook Automation (which is what most people are going to use this for):
Evaluate the platform's ability to automate incident response workflows effectively.
What are its Integration Capabilities:
Assess how well the platform integrates with diverse security tools and systems.
Incident Enrichment:
Measure the platform's capability to enhance incident data with contextual information and threat intelligence.
Does it have the ability to automate threat detection and response:
Evaluate the effectiveness of automated mechanisms in identifying and responding to known threats.
Is it scalable:
Assess the platform's ability to handle a growing volume of security events and incidents.
What does the user interface/experience look like (super important):
Evaluate the user interface, workflow design, and overall user experience for efficient utilization. Is the platform intuitive enough not to have to go through hours of training to use?
Does it have the ability to report incidents and utilize metrics:
Analyze reporting capabilities, tracking key performance indicators related to incident response.
Does it (truly) support threat-hunting capabilities:
Evaluate the platform's support for proactive threat-hunting activities.
Can the responses be adaptive:
Assess the platform's agility in adapting to new threats and updating response mechanisms.
Compliance and Governance:
Evaluate alignment with industry regulations and security governance frameworks.
As for use cases (outside of playbook automation), here are a few:
Incident Enrichment and Investigation
Threat Intelligence Integration
Phishing Response and Mitigation
User Account Provisioning and Deprovisioning
Vulnerability Management and Patching
Security Incident Coordination
Regulatory Compliance Automation
Automated Threat Hunting
Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Incident Response
I’m sure there are others, but every organization is different. SOAR isn’t a replacement for a good SOC team, but if done correctly, it can be a powerful tool to help them with a lot of the mundane stuff that leads to burnout.