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Optimizing Your Security Operations Center (SOC) with Darktrace’s NDR Solutions

Imagine a SOC group of analysts hovering around monitors, where hundreds of alerts occur every second. However, some are false positives, others are legitimate threats. But there is chaos all the way! It doesn’t have to be this way. Therefore, NDR  solutions will bring order through SOC optimization and let you get ahead of cyber threats.

In this blog, we’ll take you through ways of optimizing your SOC using Darktrace’s powerful AI-driven solutions. Are you ready to cut the noise and focus on what matters? Then let’s get started!

What is SOC Optimization?

But before we begin, what exactly is a SOC? However, consider it as the nerve center for your organization’s cybersecurity. It is a room full of analysts monitoring, detecting, and reacting to suspicious activities within your network. They are digital detectives with fancy cybersecurity tools sitting at their desks and staring at screens.

Responsibilities of SOC Team

  • Monitoring Network Activity: Monitoring the incoming as well as outgoing traffic for signs of suspicious activities.
  • Identifying and Response to Threat: When an incident occurs, SOC teams stand in the way of a potential cyberattack.
  • Incident Response as well as Analysis: If the breach has occurred, SOCs investigate how it happened and figure out how not to let it occur again.

Challenges SOC Teams Face

  • Information Overload: SOCs receive hundreds and thousands of pieces of data and alerts. When an analyst tries to browse through them, he is looking for a needle in a haystack.
  • False Positives: Not every alert is a real threat, and they have to go through each one to ensure they are false positives.
  • Evolving Threats: Some hackers are just inventing new ways to breach. It’s tough to stay updated!

Overview of Darktrace’s NDR Solutions

Having discussed all about SOCs and NDRs, let’s talk about Darktrace, the grandmaster of AI-driven cybersecurity. Here’s why:

How Darktrace’s NDR Works

It uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to learn what is “normal” on your network. Once it knows, then it can quickly and accurately spot abnormal behavior. Moreover, Darktrace’s NDR can take action, stopping threats automatically.

Key Features of Darktrace’s NDR

  • AI-Powered Threat Detection: However, it is Intelligent enough to detect threats that are yet to become obvious.
  • Autonomous Response Capabilities: Darktrace can indeed stop an attack in its tracks without any human intervention.
  • Full Network Monitoring: It detects all corners of your network for breaches or suspicious activity.

How exactly does NDR Fit into SOCs?

NDR is not just an upgrade in security but also frees up the life of your team. No more chasing false positives, while SOC focuses on the real threats and leaves the hard work to AI.

How Darktrace NDR Optimizes Your SOC

However, it can turn your chaotic SOC into a well-oiled machine. Let’s discuss how it helps for SOC optimization:

1. Reducing Alert Fatigue

One of the biggest complaints of any SOC team is too many alerts! It’s like your phone and every five seconds it’s buzzing with notifications, most of which you don’t care. 

However, darktrace removes the false positives, so your SOC analysts can focus on threats without noise. In turn? Less manual work, more time spent on what SOC analysts do best: fighting the bad guys.

2. Proactive Threat Detection

Darktrace’s NDR allows you not to react to threats but to get ahead of them. In other words, the AI will pick out abnormal behavior even before an actual attack. 

Now imagine a robber trying to pick your lock, hence calling the police before they break through your door. That’s the level of proactivity Darktrace brings to your SOC.

3. Improved Network Activity Visibility

You rarely get an idea of things that are going on in the network with traditional security tools. But what about Darktrace? However, the complete visibility over everything happening, from each device to every user to every data. Nothing goes unnoticed. 

Your SOC team will be glad that this view is provided in real-time so that those sneaky attackers are caught.

4. Automated Response to Cyber Threats

Nobody has time for that manual handling of every security incident. Therefore, darktrace automates it, detecting threats and actions based on the priority level of the threat. For example, isolating a compromised device or blocking suspicious traffic. Moreover, your SOC team will do nothing, Darktrace AI does the rest for them.

5. Adaptability to Emerging Threats

Cybercriminals do not stand still, and neither should your security. As the darktrace learns off data, it collects and aligns to new and evolving threats without constant updates. In other words,  It is a defense system getting smarter every day.

Best Practices for SOC Optimization with Darktrace NDR

SOC optimization isn’t only about the tools, It’s about how they are used. Here are some best practices for getting the most out of Darktrace’s NDR:

1. Training Your Team

The AI is smart, but it never replaces the brilliant expertise of a human. So, train your SOC analysts on how Darktrace works and how they can use the insights to improve decision-making abilities. Hence, it’s like giving your team superpowers, but they still need to know how to use them.

2. NDR Integration with SOC tools

Darktrace is best utilized as part of an overall defense strategy. However, integrated with other tools including Security Information and Event Management, it gives you a realistic view of the security.

3. SOC Optimization for Threat Assessments 

It’s a world of evolution in cybersecurity. So, make sure your policies are always up to date with Darktrace NDR insights and gaps in defenses are identified. Thus, it keeps you one step ahead of attackers.

4. Incident Response Planning

Even with this AI-powered defensive capability, you will still require a solid incident response plan. So, use Darktrace to auto-respond early. But always have a clear process for how your team will handle more complex incidents.

5. Collaboration Between Teams

Cybersecurity is a team sport. Hence, make sure your SOC analysts work effectively with your IT teams, management, and other departments. Thus, strong collaboration will maximize teamwork and better threat detection.

SOC optimization

Role of AI in SOC Optimization

AI is transforming how SOCs operate, and Darktrace leads the charge. Here are the reasons for this SOC revolution:

AI-Powered Threat Intelligence

Darktrace processes huge quantities of data. It includes patterns and behavior that the human analyst would otherwise not see. Therefore, through this, you will have a digital army working to keep your network safe and 24/7.

AI’s Impact on SOC Efficiency 

AI lets the SOC team focus on higher-level and more strategic work, such as alert sorting through automation. In this way, the results are both efficient and effective.

Balancing between AI and Human Input for SOC Optimization

Although AI is powerful, there will always remain areas where human intuition and expertise will be required.  So, it’s important to have the right balance between AI for the heavy lifting and human decision-making efforts on decisions.

SOC Challenges and How Darktrace Addresses Them

1. Alert Overload

SOC analysts are currently drowning in alerts. Therefore, the Darktrace system cuts through the noise, suppressing false positives. It also makes sure that what the analysts are dealing with is real.

2. Talent Shortage

There is a dire need for skilled cybersecurity professionals. But Darktrace fills the gaps by automating most of the routine tasks that the SOC teams handle.

3. Complex Threats

Darktrace’s AI is continually learning and adapting. Whereas the cyberattacks are sophisticated which makes them impossible for certain tools to understand.

Conclusion

With Darktrace NDR, you can transform the nature of your security operations from endless alerts into something way more effective. As Darktrace cuts through false positives, automates responses, and provides visibility in the network for SOC optimization. Moreover, Darktrace provides its AI-driven technology to manage alert overload, talent shortage, or ever-evolving threats. 

So why pursue every false alarm, when you can have a system that learns, adapts, and acts on your behalf? Use the power of AI with Darktrace and end the storm in your SOC.

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Keeping track of domain registrations to identify and mitigate phishing sites or domains that mimic the brand.