2025

86,400 Seconds: Navigating the High-Stakes World of SOC Operations

In the relentless world of cybersecurity, each day provides precisely 86,400 seconds—a finite resource to detect, analyze, and respond to threats. For SOC analysts, every second is a battle against an adversary that never rests. The pressure is immense, the stakes are high, and the margin for error is razor-thin. From dissecting alerts and gathering critical data to executing swift countermeasures, the clock is always ticking.

Meeting stringent KPIs, such as resolving incidents within 15 minutes, demands a combination of technical expertise, precision, and efficiency. Automation emerges as a game-changer, streamlining workflows, reducing errors, and empowering analysts to focus on what truly matters: mitigating threats. Yet, even with advanced tools, the human element remains central. Effective SOC operations require collaboration across teams, thoughtful rotation schedules to prevent burnout, and a commitment to mental well-being. In this high-stakes arena, resilience—both human and technological—is the key to transforming challenges into opportunities.

January 11, 2025

An intriguing job interview technique that will show the true strengths and weaknesses of a cybersecurity candidate

When evaluating candidates for SOC or CERT roles, focus not just on the correctness of their answers but on their reasoning and decision-making processes. Introduce scenario-based questions during the second round of interviews, when candidates are more at ease. Engage a cybersecurity SME to assess their responses, as they can accurately evaluate the technical and strategic depth required for these roles. This approach ensures you identify candidates with the critical thinking, situational awareness, and expertise needed for high-stakes cybersecurity environments.

January 5, 2025

2024

Why Choosing the Right CTI Platform is Just the Beginning

In the dynamic world of cybersecurity, building an effective CTI program requires more than just selecting the right platform. From navigating diverse data formats and scaling the platform for optimal performance to training the team and integrating advanced tools through APIs, every step presents unique challenges and opportunities. By adopting an agile mindset, leveraging automation, and embracing continuous learning, organizations can transform their CTI efforts into a proactive and scalable defense against evolving cyber threats.

November 17, 2024

What is the likelihood of an enterprise-wide security incident?

Occasionally, when walking through the corridors where senior management resides, one might overhear conversations that include phrases like, “Where can we save money?” or “Cybersecurity is just a cost center—can we reduce these expenses?” On the surface, these are valid questions. After all, senior executives are tasked with ensuring the company’s profitability and keeping shareholders content. Cutting costs in areas that don’t directly generate revenue might seem like a logical step toward achieving those goals.

October 13, 2024

The MITRE ATT&CK Framework is powerful if …

When managing a Security Operation Center, you will likely be asked how many MITRE ATT&CK tactics and techniques you have covered. At first glance, this might seem straightforward, but the answer is more complex. The MITRE ATT&CK framework is an extensive knowledge base of adversary tactics, techniques, and cyberattack procedures. It provides an incredibly valuable threat detection, response, and mitigation resource.

October 6, 2024

Running an effective and efficient Enterprise Vulnerability Management program

Running an effective and efficient Enterprise Vulnerability Management (EVM) program requires much more than simply conducting vulnerability and compliance scans. Relying solely on these scans and basing your reporting entirely on the findings can severely cripple the program’s effectiveness. In essence, this approach floods the organization with an endless list of vulnerabilities and tasks, creating more noise than actionable outcomes, which leads to inefficiencies, frustration, and even increased security risks.

September 29, 2024

Can you truly measure the strength of your cyber defenses?

In today’s digital landscape, cybersecurity is no longer just an IT concern; it’s a fundamental priority for organizations across all sectors. The increasing frequency and sophistication of cyber threats have made the need for robust cybersecurity measures more urgent than ever. But how can you truly measure the strength of your defenses?

August 17, 2024

Which type of CISO are you?

As technology proliferates, adversaries’ capabilities escalate exponentially. While adversaries can concentrate on mastering a specific technology, defenders are burdened with safeguarding against all potential attack vectors. This equilibrium has long been disrupted, leaving us to grapple with its consequences. In light of this reality, the pertinent question arises: where do we go from here?

March 24, 2024

Risk Management — It might be more complex than you think

In the dynamic landscape of cybersecurity, the continuous influx of vulnerability disclosures and the rapid dissemination of the latest TTPs through various channels pose a significant challenge for CTI specialists. In cybersecurity risk management, identifying and assessing relevant cyber threats are critical tasks, and effective strategy must be employed to navigate this constant flow of information.

March 17, 2024