Automation Levels

SOAR Automation Levels

In the evolving landscape of cybersecurity, automation plays a pivotal role in enhancing the resilience and responsiveness of defence mechanisms against a myriad of threats. 

Levels of Automation

Much like the levels of vehicle automation delineated by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), cybersecurity automation can be classified into distinct tiers, each representing a progressive degree of autonomy and sophistication.

Level 0 - No Automation

At the foundational level, cybersecurity operations rely solely on manual processes and human intervention. While human analysts hold the reins of security monitoring and response, the absence of automated systems leaves organizations vulnerable to emerging threats, often resulting in delayed detection and mitigation.

Level 1 - Basic Automation

Basic automation introduces foundational workflows and automation scripts to streamline security processes. While security tools like firewalls, antivirus software, and SIEM solutions are assumed to be present, basic automation focuses on automating routine tasks such as alert triage, incident categorization, and initial response actions. However, human analysts still play a critical role in overseeing these automated processes, investigating alerts, and making decisions based on the information provided by the automated workflows.

Level 2 - Partial Automation

Partial automation workflows streamline routine security operations, including incident enrichment, initial triage, and response actions such as containment or mitigation. Basic playbooks and automated scripts are utilized to handle common security incidents, allowing for faster response times and more efficient resource utilization. However, human analysts remain essential for overseeing and fine-tuning these automated processes, as well as for handling complex threat analysis and response scenarios that may fall outside the scope of predefined automation workflows.

Level 3 - Conditional Automation

Conditional automation marks a significant leap, empowering systems to make decisions and take actions autonomously in predefined scenarios. Automated incident response systems mitigate threats without human intervention, albeit human oversight remains crucial, particularly in high-risk situations.

Level 4 - High Automation

Highly automated cybersecurity systems operate with minimal human oversight, leveraging advanced AI and machine learning algorithms. They continuously monitor, detect, and respond to threats in real-time, autonomously executing actions such as isolating infected devices and applying security updates. Human analysts supervise, ensuring the efficacy of automated responses.

Level 5 - FULL Automation

At the pinnacle of cybersecurity automation, full automation entails entirely self-sufficient systems capable of addressing any threat autonomously. Advanced AI and ML algorithms drive all aspects of cybersecurity operations, from threat detection to remediation. Human intervention is minimal, reserved for strategic oversight.

Conclusion

As organizations navigate the complex terrain of cybersecurity, understanding and implementing the appropriate level of automation is paramount. While automation offers unprecedented efficiency and scalability, human expertise remains indispensable, ensuring the efficacy and adaptability of security measures in the face of evolving threats. Embracing cybersecurity automation not only fortifies defenses but also empowers organizations to proactively safeguard their digital assets in an ever-evolving threat landscape.