Security Automation Tools
The information security field is vast, and automation is increasingly becoming a go-to solution for many tasks. Security automation can help to speed up and improve efficiency in areas such as incident response, malware analysis, and forensics.
However, as with any tool, there are both advantages and disadvantages to using security automation. In this blog, we’ll explore both the pros and cons of security automation, and provide some tips on how to get the most out of this powerful tool.
We’ve built a platform to automate incident response and forensics in AWS — you can grab a free trial here. You can also download a free playbook we’ve written on how to respond to security incidents in AWS.
Open Source Security Automation Tools
The Cortex
https://github.com/TheHive-Project/Cortex
The Cortex collects together a number of indicators of compromise.
Shuffle
Shuffle is an open source SOAR platform, it can connect together various APIs.
The Hive
The Hive is an open source incident response platform. It can perform ticketing and other functions.
Turbina
https://github.com/google/turbinia
Turbina orchestrates the forensic anaylsis of compromised systems.
Automated GuardDuty Security Response
https://github.com/aws-samples/amazon-guardduty-automated-response-sample
This project automates responding to GuardDuty events to remediate them.
Advantages of security automation
There are many advantages to using security automation, including:
1. Increased efficiency
One of the biggest advantages of security automation is that it can help to increase efficiency in various tasks. For example, automating incident response can help to speed up the process of identifying, containing, and remedying a security incident.
2. Improved accuracy
Another benefit of security automation is that it can help to improve accuracy in various tasks. For example, automating malware analysis can help to reduce false positives and improve detection rates.
3. Reduced costs
Another advantage of security automation is that it can help to reduce costs. For example, automating incident response can help to reduce the need for manual labor, which can save both time and money.
4. Increased scalability
Another benefit of security automation is that it can help to increase scalability. For example, automating malware analysis can help to reduce the need for additional hardware or software resources.
5. Enhanced visibility
Another advantage of security automation is that it can help to enhance visibility. For example, automating incident response can help to provide better visibility into the progress of an investigation.
Disadvantages of security automation
There are also some disadvantages to using security automation, including:
1. Dependence on technology
One of the biggest disadvantages of security automation is that it can create a dependence on technology. For example, if an organization relies on security automation to incident response, they may be less prepared to handle a security incident if the automation fails.
2. Limited flexibility
Another disadvantage of security automation is that it can be limited in flexibility. For example, if an organization automates their incident response process, they may be less able to adapt to a new type of security incident.
3. High initial cost
Another disadvantage of security automation is that it can have a high initial cost. For example, an organization may need to purchase new hardware or software resources in order to implement security automation.
4. Lack of understanding
Another disadvantage of security automation is that it can require a lack of understanding. For example, an organization may need to invest time and resources into training staff on how to use the automation tool.
5. Job loss
Another disadvantage of security automation is that it can lead to job loss. For example, if an organization automates their incident response process, they may no longer need as many staff to handle security incidents.
Tips for getting the most out of security automation
If you’re considering using security automation, there are a few tips that can help you to get the most out of this tool:
1. Define your goals
Before implementing security automation, it’s important to define your goals. What tasks do you want to automate? What benefits do you hope to achieve? By defining your goals, you can ensure that you choose the right automation tool for your needs.
2. Consider the risks
It’s also important to consider the risks associated with security automation. What are the potential consequences of a failure? What are the risks of job loss? By considering the risks, you can ensure that you have a plan in place to mitigate them.
3. Choose the right tool
There are many security automation tools available, so it’s important to choose the right one for your needs. Consider your budget, your goals, and your risks when choosing a tool.
4. Implement slowly
When implementing security automation, it’s important to do so slowly. Start by automating a few tasks, and then gradually increase the number of tasks as you become more comfortable with the tool.
5. Test, test, test
It’s also important to test, test, and test again. Make sure to test your automation tool in a variety of scenarios, including both normal and abnormal conditions. By testing, you can ensure that your automation tool is effective and reliable.
For more see this video from AWS:
