In order to manage the volume, velocity and complexity of today’s sophisticated cybersecurity threats, security operations need to be refocused away from the typical reactive, check-the-box system and toward measurable, meaningful and proactive security outcomes. However every organization is different, which means standardized, one-size-fits-all strategies and tools will not cut it. A comprehensive approach is key to not only understanding your cybersecurity needs, but also evolving your overall security operations program.
By answering questions like these, you can begin to establish whether your security operations program is at a Fundamentals stage, an Integrated stage or an Adaptive stage. Once you know where you are, you can take the necessary steps to move toward cyber-maturity.
Essential security components
People, process, technologies working together
Continuous learning and improvement
Organizations in the Fundamentals stage typically address essential security components necessary to operate. Many of these organizations utilize security operations centers (SOCs), dedicated to threat detection and response. But the problem is that what worked in the past can no longer keep up today. Fundamentals-oriented cyber operations are typically reactive in nature, manual in operation, compliance-driven and connected (or disconnected) by disparate technologies.
Regulatory compliance is the main driver for decision-making when it comes to implementing strategy and process
Too many one-size and one-off technologies—that do not integrate with one another— accumulate, creating new gaps and vulnerabilities
When an organization’s staffing, strategic approach, processes and technologies begin informing one another and working together in a comprehensive way, their security operations maturity is at an Integrated stage. SOCs at this point are considered next generation or modernized and are typically risk-centric, aligned to business needs, data-aware and continuously measurable.
Strategies and processes are built out from an enterprise risk-informed approach that aligns with goals and objectives
A clear understanding of business goals and objectives drives decision-making to ensure the right tailored security operations program is implemented
Synthesized data across cloud, on-premises, and mobile environments provides greater visibility and more comprehensive awareness
Continuous measurement of meaningful KPIs and KRIs goes beyond data points to tell the story of what’s really happening and informs future decisions
An organization that has proven itself to be quite mature when it comes to security operations is considered Adaptive, utilizing continuous learning and automation. SOCs at this point have typically evolved into full-scope Advanced Fusion Centers, optimized for real-time protection that is proactive, scalable, comprehensive and always on.
With integration across all security domains, people, processes and technologies work together to determine and adapt for new and unforeseen threats
Flexible methods of scalability secure new attack vectors and ecosystems without causing substantial technology debt or major security operations overhauls
Comprehensive detection, response and platform management reduce operational overhead and increase resilience across overall frameworks
Always-on and always-learning technologies adapt to new threats and unlock future capabilities and insights
As the world’s leading end-to-end Security Solutions Integrator, Optiv partners with enterprises—no matter what stage of their journey—to evolve their security operations. Every business’s maturity is different. Find out how Optiv can help you take the meaningful steps you need to progress yours.