By Bob Hansmann, Sr. Product Marketing Manager – Security at Infoblox
In the relentless battle against cyber threats, Security Operations Centers, (SOCs) find themselves grappling with a multitude of challenges. According to the SANS 2023 SOC Survey, a staggering 60% of SOC analysts report increasing workloads, with 65% considering a job change within the next year. Other surveys call out that 55% of organizations are missing critical alerts almost daily, and 64% of analysts report that redundant manual work consumes over half of their time. These statistics underscore the urgent need for innovative solutions to bolster SOC efficiency and resilience in the face of evolving threats.
Enter SOC Insights, a groundbreaking AI-driven security capability integrated into Infoblox’s DNS Detection and Response (DNSDR) solution, BloxOne Threat Defense. SOC Insights is designed to address the persistent challenges faced by modern SOCs, leveraging advanced analytics to distill vast amounts of network and security data into actionable insights to empower security analysts to better prioritize and respond to threats more effectively.
One of the standout features of SOC Insights is its ability to mitigate alert fatigue by consolidating hundreds of thousands of security alerts into a dramatically smaller, more manageable set of insights. (One customer reported over half a million alerts resulting in only 24 insights). By applying AI-driven analytics to DNS activity, asset information, DNS threat intelligence, and security events, SOC Insights correlates those events, prioritizes them based on many factors beyond typical malware risk rankings, and provides recommendations for swift resolution. This not only accelerates threat detection and response but also alleviates the strain on overburdened SOC analysts.
Moreover, SOC Insights plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between security and networking teams, offering enhanced visibility into network activity. Networking teams benefit from improved DNS and network stability and resilience as BloxOne Threat Defense identifies and addresses threats at the DNZS layer. Furthermore, SOC Insights identifies configuration errors, high-risk activity, and other behaviors helping organizations fortify their security posture and mitigate risks proactively.
The impact of SOC Insights extends beyond immediate benefits, contributing to a proactive security stance. Leveraging DNS intelligence, organizations can reduce the risk of C2 and malware in attacks by a staggering 92%, as revealed by the Cybersecurity Directorate at the NSA. And hunted DNS intelligence helps disrupt attack infrastructure, often composed of tens of thousands of domains, enabling customers to block many attacks even 2-3 months before threat actors actually launch attacks using those domains. This proactive approach not only mitigates breaches but also fosters a healthier work environment for security analysts, combating burnout and bolstering retention rates.
In addition to its formidable capabilities, SOC Insights revolutionizes the broader security ecosystem. By sharing AI-driven insights and other relevant data with other security tools, SOC Insights maximizes the ROI of existing security investments and enhances the effectiveness of the entire security stack. This collaborative approach strengthens defenses, empowers organizations to stay ahead of emerging threats, and augments the overall security posture.
In conclusion, SOC Insights represents a transformative leap forward for the SOC, empowering security teams to navigate the complex threat landscape with confidence and agility. By harnessing the power of AI-driven analytics, organizations can reinforce their cybersecurity defenses, streamline operations, and safeguard their digital assets against evolving threats. As the cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve, SOC Insights stands as a beacon of innovation and resilience in the fight against cyber adversaries.
