What is SOAR?

SOAR Explained

SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response) platforms are designed to address the challenges of modern cybersecurity by integrating with existing security tools, automating repetitive tasks, and providing a centralized platform for incident management.

By leveraging automation and orchestration, SOAR helps security teams manage the growing volume of alerts and incidents more efficiently, allowing them to focus on more strategic tasks that require human intervention.

SOAR encompasses three core capabilities:

• Threat and Vulnerability Management: SOAR platforms help identify, prioritize, and remediate security threats and vulnerabilities across the organization.
• Security Incident Response: SOAR automates and orchestrates the response to security incidents, reducing the time it takes to detect, investigate, and resolve threats.
• Security Operations Automation: SOAR streamlines security operations by automating routine tasks, freeing up security analysts to focus on more complex challenges.

How a SOAR Works

SOAR platforms operate by ingesting data from various security tools, such as SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) systems, firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and threat intelligence platforms. This data is then analyzed and correlated to identify potential security incidents.

When an alert is triggered, SOAR platforms can automatically initiate predefined workflows, known as playbooks, to investigate and respond to the incident. These playbooks can include automated tasks such as data enrichment, threat hunting, and even taking direct actions like isolating compromised systems or blocking malicious IP addresses.

SOAR platforms also enable collaboration across security teams by providing a centralized dashboard where incidents can be tracked, investigated, and resolved. This collaborative approach ensures that all relevant stakeholders have access to the information they need to make informed decisions quickly.

What Role Do SOARs Play in Email Security?

SOAR platforms play a crucial role in email security by automating the detection and response to phishing attacks, business email compromise (BEC), and other email-based threats. By integrating with email security solutions, SOAR platforms can:

• Automate Threat Detection: SOAR platforms can automatically analyze incoming emails for indicators of compromise, such as malicious attachments or links, and flag suspicious messages for further investigation.
• Streamline Incident Response: When a potential email threat is detected, SOAR platforms can automatically initiate a response, such as quarantining the email, blocking the sender, or notifying the security team.
• Enhance Threat Intelligence: SOAR platforms can integrate with threat intelligence feeds to enrich email security data, providing context about known malicious actors or emerging threats.
• Improve Collaboration: SOAR platforms enable security teams to collaborate more effectively on email security incidents, ensuring that all relevant parties are informed and involved in the response process.

By leveraging SOAR for email security, organizations can reduce the time it takes to detect and respond to email-based threats, minimizing the risk of successful attacks.

How to Use a SOAR to Identify and Protect Against Attacks

SOAR platforms enhance an organization's ability to identify and protect against cyberattacks by automating and orchestrating the following steps:

1. Data Collection and Analysis: SOAR platforms continuously collect and analyze data from various sources, including email gateways, firewalls, and SIEM systems, to identify potential threats.

2. Automated Alert Prioritization: SOAR platforms use machine learning and predefined rules to prioritize alerts based on the severity and likelihood of an attack, ensuring that the most critical threats are addressed first.

3. Automated Playbooks: When an alert is triggered, SOAR platforms automatically execute playbooks that outline the steps needed to investigate and respond to the threat. These playbooks can include tasks such as isolating compromised systems, blocking malicious IP addresses, or notifying the security team.

4. Continuous Monitoring and Improvement: SOAR platforms enable organizations to continuously monitor their security posture and improve their response strategies by analyzing incident data and refining playbooks based on lessons learned.

IRONSCALES as Your MSOAR

Mail-focused Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (MSOAR) is a specialized extension of traditional SOAR capabilities, specifically designed to address the unique challenges posed by email security within your Security Operations Center (SOC). IRONSCALES integrates this focused approach into your SOC operations, offering a robust solution that simplifies email security, amplifies productivity, and reduces the time and resources spent on managing and responding to email threats.

As part of your MSOAR, IRONSCALES combines the power of advanced AI-powered automation with the strategic orchestration of security processes, creating a streamlined, effective workflow for your email security operations.