EP202 Beyond Tiered SOCs: Detection as Code and the Rise of Response Engineering
Dec 9, 2024
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Amine Besson, Tech Lead on Detection Engineering at Behemoth Cyberdefence, shares his insights on the evolution of security operations and the importance of detection engineering. He discusses the inadequacies of traditional tiered SOCs against modern threats and introduces 'detection as code' as a transformative approach. Amine also elaborates on the fusion of threat intelligence with detection and response, stressing real-time actionable insights. Finally, he highlights new architectures like OpenTIDE that enhance threat detection and efficiency.
Organizations must embrace ownership in detection engineering to enhance their understanding and effectiveness in addressing potential security threats.
The evolution of Security Operations Centers towards integrated Cyber Defense Centers highlights the importance of collaboration between detection and response engineering for improved security outcomes.
Deep dives
The Importance of Ownership in Detection Engineering
The podcast emphasizes the significance of ownership in detection engineering within security operations, arguing that individuals and organizations must understand and take responsibility for their technology. Instead of relying on third-party services for detection, organizations benefit from actively engaging in the engineering of their detection processes. This approach fosters a deeper understanding of the systems and allows for more effective responses to potential threats. The discussion highlights that a lack of ownership often leads to inefficiencies and missed opportunities for improvement.
Evolving Perspectives on Security Operations Centers (SOCs)
The conversation explores the changing landscape of Security Operations Centers (SOCs), noting a shift from traditional models to more modern, integrated approaches. It highlights how many practitioners now prefer referring to their operations as Cyber Defense Centers, focusing more on detection and response engineering rather than adhering to outdated tiered structures. This evolution signifies a departure from viewing SOCs as simply IT operations, moving towards a structure that emphasizes high-quality detection and expert input. The integration of intelligence, detection, and response roles within teams is identified as key to achieving enhanced security outcomes.
Challenges and Opportunities in Threat Intelligence
A significant challenge in modern detection and response efforts is the gap between threat intelligence production and its effective utilization in security operations. Many detection engineers find themselves creating their own intelligence due to inadequacies in existing threat intelligence provided, which often lacks immediate applicability. The podcast advocates for a closer integration between threat intelligence teams and detection engineering initiatives, suggesting that if intelligence is tailored to operational needs, it significantly enhances detection capabilities. This alignment is crucial for developing effective threat responses and improving the overall security posture.
Adoption of Detection as Code and the Future of OpenTide
The concept of 'detection as code' is presented as a transformative approach to managing detection rules and enhancing operational efficiency. The podcast describes a framework called OpenTide, which serves as an open-source tool for automating detection engineering processes and creating a structured knowledge graph of threats and detections. This framework enables security teams to trace detection rules back to specific threats, thereby improving coverage and response strategies. The future of security operations may rely heavily on such advancements, streamlining processes and improving collaboration among security professionals.