This ebook by TAG Cyber explores the concept of a global early warning system for cybersecurity, which could prevent consequential damage by detecting indicators before an attack occurs. The challenge lies in finding these subtle indicators, but the benefits of prevention over response are clear.
Early warning systems for cybersecurity require broad intelligence and focused detection of specific indicators to prompt preventive action by decision makers. The commercial Arctic Security platform is used to demonstrate how a real cyber early warning system operates. The number one advantage of an effective early warning system is the ability to prepare.
Contents
The ebook contains separate chapters discussing current situation in enterprise security, the applicability of Early Warning, and how security teams can put it into use. The ebook concludes with discussion on how Arctic EWS implements Early Warning and provides an action plan for the planning, review, design, and ultimate implementation of an early warning system.
How user discretion influences security
Dr. Edward Amoroso, CEO of TAG Cyber, emphasizes the need for early warning of cybersecurity threats as the traditional approach of prevent, detect, and respond is time-consuming and ineffective. Alert volume is a common but ineffective metric, and generating effective early warning in cybersecurity is difficult due to the abundance of data, speed of automation, and commoditization of attacker tools and services. However, the advantages of early warning are numerous, including the ability to prepare, ensure business resilience, and prioritize limited resources. Arctic Security's platform, Arctic Hub, provides reliable early warning services for security teams looking to mitigate potential cyber threats by making millions of observations every day and translating them into actionable advance notice for companies of all sizes.
How threat intelligence provides early warning for cyber
Threat intelligence provides early warnings for cyberattacks, allowing organizations to detect suspicious activity earlier and respond more quickly. Early warning systems (EWS) are used to predict the likelihood of an actual attack and make assessments using real-time and historical data to improve readiness. EWS solutions are an effective mechanism to manage the types of threats that security teams usually submit to the SOC to triage and remediate. EWS systems have traditionally been standalone solutions for a more proactive and thorough response. EWS has become an essential tool in the war against bad cyber actors and should be considered as a requirement for proactive cybersecurity programs.
How enterprise security teams put Early Warning into practice
Early warning systems (EWS) are becoming a systemic requirement for cybersecurity programs. In the event of a cyberattack, companies often hear about it from law enforcement. However, an EWS can help companies detect vulnerabilities and potential attacks before they happen. EWS platforms use both human and artificial intelligence to comb through a wide variety of data sources for threats and filter them to corporate requirements. To successfully incorporate an EWS program, companies should devote resources to it, form a SWAT team responsible for immediate response to EWS input, reward the team, empower all members, and integrate the team with Security Operations.
How the Arctic Security Platform Works
Arctic Security's solution suite offers an early warning system (EWS) that collects data about vulnerabilities and breaches, providing customers with support for fast incident management and response. The EWS protects against cyber threats and is easy to adopt due to its simplicity and well-understood protection models. The solution also offers external cybersecurity validation, cost-effective threat intelligence, and straightforward onboarding. The user interface provides a simple, data-rich view of trends and notifications, including statistics on malware families, vulnerabilities, and open services. Security teams are advised to implement an early warning system to enhance their overall threat protection architecture.
An action plan for cyber Early Warning
Dr. Edward Amoroso, CEO of TAG Cyber, suggests that an Early Warning System (EWS) for cyber requires financial planning by the enterprise security team. However, the value of an early warning system to predict problems, identify threat indicators, and offer visual evidence of trends that require action is not difficult to understand.
Security teams are recommended to initiate an action plan for the planning, review, design, and ultimate implementation of an early warning system. The first step is to take inventory of existing threat intelligence, followed by analyzing how early warning can enhance existing intelligence data. Finally, the organization can engage in a commercial platform review toward proof of concept. Arctic Security is a recommended source selection process for most enterprise teams for an early warning system.