IT professionals in charge of today’s cyber security operations face a relentless onslaught of increasingly sophisticated threats. One of the best ways to defend against cyber vulnerabilities is by continuously observing an IT system. This involves cyber security monitoring that looks for data breaches and current cyber threats. The increase in cloud-based applications has also pushed cloud computing and cyber security to the forefront of cyber security operations.
What is Cyber Security Monitoring?
Cybersecurity monitoring is the process of continuously monitoring a computer network or system to detect and prevent cyber attacks. This involves using tools and techniques such as intrusion detection systems, firewalls, and antivirus software to identify and respond to security threats in real-time. Security analysts are responsible for monitoring these systems and responding to any potential security incidents. Effective cybersecurity monitoring is crucial for protecting businesses and individuals from cyber threats.
How Does Cyber Security Monitoring Work?
Cyber security monitoring breaks into two parts: Network Monitoring and Endpoint Monitoring. Network monitoring is the process of monitoring computer networks to detect and troubleshoot network performance issues and security threats, while endpoint monitoring is the process of monitoring and securing endpoints, such as laptops, mobile devices, and servers, to protect against cybersecurity threats.
How to Enhance Your Cyber Security
Two key methods to enhance your cyber security operations are network detection and threat detection. You can perform these in-house—typically in a security operations center (SOC)—or outsource these functions to a service provider. If you’re setting up an in-house SOC, the process starts with staffing it with threat detection and response experts. Next, you will need to source and vet the best cyber security monitoring tools. You will also want to develop an incident response plan so that even during a breach, your staff is primed to respond as early in the incident cycle as possible and according to best practices.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Cyber Security Metrics
Cybersecurity metrics can and should be tracked to ensure the efficiency of your security projects. Good cyber security metrics—combined with effective cyber security monitoring—empower your teams to fight the malicious threat actors with the right solutions. Cyber security metrics identify weaknesses, determine trends to better utilize security resources, and assess the success or failure of your cyber security operations.
As part of a sound cyber security monitoring regime, cyber security metrics—including the correct KPIs—quantify all the tools to facilitate decision-making to reduce the chance a cyber vulnerability will result in a breach. Easy-to-understand cyber security KPIs will also help you communicate cyber vulnerability and security performance to non-technical personnel.
Does your organization have a process for cyber security monitoring, and, if so, what cyber security metrics and KPIs do you use to gauge its effectiveness?
Ontinue’s Cyber Security Monitoring
Many organizations lack the expertise, budget, or desire to build an in-house SOC, including a robust cyber security monitoring/incident response capability. The challenge is not trivial. For example, even if you had an unlimited budget, skilled security analysts are hard to recruit and retain.
Ontinue addresses these cyber security operations challenges with advanced monitoring, threat cyber security monitoring, advanced threat detection, and incident response as managed solutions. Ontinue’s global team of seasoned experts can monitor your network for threats 24/7.
Secure Your Organization with Ontinue ION
Keeping up with constant, evolving security threats isn’t something your business has to do alone. With managed detection and response, you gain the experience and insight of an established team of IT security experts – backed by tools from the forefront of cybersecurity innovation. 24/7 monitoring, proactive threat hunting, pre- and post-incident analysis and remediation, and direct access to highly trained security professionals – MDR brings it all to the table.
Unfortunately, not every MDR solution is equal; for top-quality managed detection and response for organizations using Microsoft security tools, choose Ontinue ION.
Combining AI-driven automation, dedicated security, and Microsoft expertise, and cloud-native accessibility, Ontinue ION provides industry-leading prevention, detection, and response, while optimizing the effectiveness of the Microsoft security suite you depend on.
Learn more about Ontinue ION, and put your network security in the hands of the experts. Because after all, the security of your networks is too important to handle alone.