Shortening Incident Response Time and Dealing with Critical Global Emergencies.  

There is not even a handful of years left to know what cybersecurity is today. As threats in cyber evolve and become ever more sophisticated, our IR (Incident Response) must adapt accordingly. At DefendEdge, we have accepted this shift from the reactive mindset to the initiative-taking approach to deliver faster, more effective responses to emergency situations.  

In this blog, I will explain how our Global SOC has grown to support the growing needs of clients and changing threats while addressing incident response on globally distributed teams.  

From Reactive to Proactive: A Transformational Change  

IR had been classically reactive to things that had happened. This included determining the threat, shutting it down, diagnosing its root cause, and then restarting it. This worked well, but the new tempo of rapid-fire, highly entangled threats calls for a more proactive posture.  

Proactive Incident Response works to predict potential dangers and mitigate threats before they become critical. At DefendEdge, our proactive approach is to:  

• Threat Hunting: Searching actively for vulnerabilities and threats before they’re discovered.  

• Active Monitoring: Observe client environments in real-time to identify any potential problems.  

• Automating Anomaly Detection: Using AI and machine learning to detect anomalous patterns and behaviors more effectively than traditional methods.  

We use TIPs (Threat Intelligence Platforms) to continuously track trends across multiple client environments, recognizing indicators of compromise (IOCs) before they occur, and ensuring the smallest problems don’t grow into larger incidents. 

The Forces Driving Incident Response Development  

Several factors have helped drive the demand for more robust and flexible IR:  

1. APTs and Ransomware.  

Organized and persistent threat actors require faster, better responses.  

2. Complex Digital Ecosystems   

The convergence of cloud, hybrid and decentralized networks demands more holistic and adaptive response tools.  

3. Globalization of Cyber Threats   

In organizations with globally distributed teams, time-zone incident response is a unique challenge.  

DefendEdge’s Resources for Faster Incident Response  

Fast reaction is important for incidents, as each second that a threat is in existence can lead to further harm. Here’s how we’ve built our response capability to maximize value at DefendEdge:  

1. Real-Time Communication Channels   

A good communication system is the cornerstone of incident management. Our real-time tools enable SOC analysts to exchange updates, logs, and remediation recommendations live to facilitate coordination.  

2. SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response)  

By implementing repetitive processes such as alert triage and containment, we allow analysts to get on with high-impact incidents. For instance, a phishing attack can be prevented automatically by locking the account, banning the domain, and informing the team — tasks once undertaken hours of action can now be completed in seconds.  

3. Threat Intelligence Integration   

Threat intelligence feeds enable us to identify emerging threats in real-time and act on them before customers suffer.  

4. Cross-Training Analysts   

As long as all analysts share the same fundamental skillsets, we can ensure consistent incident response across regions. Standardized playbooks and knowledge bases also standardize our approach.  

5. Streamlined Handover Processes   

Handovers play an important role in a distributed SOC. We’ve created an established process coupled with a common ticketing platform to avoid any confusion during changeovers.  

Managing Critical Global Incidents   

When an important event occurs, a well-planned response will allow the organization to repair or prevent as much harm as possible and resume business in a timely fashion. Here’s how we manage high-severity incidents at DefendEdge: 

1. Incident Response Lead: A lead is assigned to each critical incident to ensure a cohesive effort, avoid duplicate efforts, and ensure a repeatable response plan.  

2. Situation Analysis: We quickly assess and segment the incident to determine the appropriate containment and recovery strategy.  

3. War Room Communication: SOC, IT, legal, and management stakeholders work together in the war room to control high-severity events.  

4. Post Incident Review (PIR): When the incident is completed, we conduct an extensive review to record lessons learned and enhance future responses.  

Adapting to Emerging Trends   

We need to evolve our incident response with the technology. At DefendEdge, we’re leveraging cutting-edge technologies to stay ahead:  

• AI & Machine Learning: AI-powered anomaly detection enables us to detect threats that the existing systems might miss, and AI-powered analysis speeds up log processing and pattern identification.  

• Cloud-Native Access: As businesses embrace the cloud, we enable “single-pane-of-glass” access to both on-premises and cloud environments.  

• Global coordination: Our “follow-the-sun” approach provides 24/7 support, including standardized handover mechanisms and cross-regional communication systems.  

The Future of Incident Response 

Cyber threats will continue to evolve, but so will we. By embracing proactive strategies, leveraging automation, and fostering global collaboration, DefendEdge remains at the forefront of incident response. 

Incident response isn’t just about resolving threats—it’s about building resilience. At DefendEdge, we’re committed to helping our clients stay secure in an increasingly complex digital landscape. 

To learn more about our incident response practices and global SOC capabilities, visit the DefendEdge blog. With each other, we can all create a safer digital landscape. 

Written By Wesles Lubin, Global SOC Director, DefendEdge