Reports are critical in both the earliest stages of a cybersecurity event and after the event is over, particularly when forensic investigations are in order. But report data is only as valuable as the context in which it is found. Given that SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response) is becoming the norm in cybersecurity, it’s legitimate to ask whether contextualized reports are possible in a SOAR environment?
In a word, yes. The concern among some is that the automation portion of SOAR would limit contextualizing report data. But the opposite is true. A comprehensive SOAR platform equipped with the right tools can provide highly contextualized reports quickly, efficiently, and accurately.
More About Contextualized Reports
DarkOwl, a leading provider of Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) tools that fully integrate with SOAR platforms, defines the contextualized report as a comprehensive document containing two key things:
- The particular details of a security incident; and
- Raw data that has been enriched with background information, proper analyses, and the actionable insights security teams need to make informed decisions.
It should be obvious that a contextualized report doesn’t simply summarize the latest security incident. It is a treasure trove of details covering everything from incident timeline to impact to root causes and recommendations. It is a comprehensive tool that helps stakeholders move forward from any incident, regardless of severity.
Common Elements of a Contextualized Report
It’s easier to see how contextualized reports are possible in SOAR environments when you understand the common elements of a typical report. Those elements are:
- Incident details
- The incident timeline
- An impact assessment
- Analyses and evidence
- Additional contextual data
- Response actions
- Recommendations
Such a high level of detail generally requires an excessive amount of information that is properly gathered, sifted, analyzed, and enriched. SOAR shines in this regard because it brings automation to the equation.
The SOAR Environment Is Perfect
The SOAR environment is actually perfect for generating contextualized reports. It starts with data consolidation and enrichment. SOAR platforms are capable of collecting data from an unlimited number of systems, tools, and intelligence feeds. It’s all brought together and enriched with contextual data provided both in real time and through historical data analyses.
SOAR integration further supports contextualized reports through centralized case management. Picture all incidents and data organized into a single, unified case management view. Automation tools can take the information from that view and plug it into a contextualized report. Meanwhile, security analysts have instant access to the information they need to respond.
Customization makes the SOAR dashboard a veritable buffet of detailed reports capable of displaying the key metrics security teams are after. In addition, dashboard visualizations make for better incident monitoring. Bottlenecks are addressed and processes are improved.
Actionable Intelligence Is the Goal
Bearing in mind that actionable intelligence is a key component of the conceptualized report, it also happens to be the ultimate goal of SOAR integration. Security analysts want actionable insights every time there is an incident. They cannot make decisions without such insights. So the faster they get them and the more accurate they are, the better positioned analysts are to make the right decisions.
There are few worries about contextual reports in the SOAR environment. An organization seriously considering SOAR integration can rest assured that contextualized reports are part of the equation. Combining SOAR with OSINT can make an enormous difference in identifying threats and stopping them in their tracks.
Contextual reports are just one part of a much bigger environment made possible through SOAR. SOAR improves cybersecurity through orchestration, automation, and response – and with contextualized reports to boot!
