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Polymorphic threats are malicious software (malware) that can evolve to evade automated security solutions. That makes human SOC expertise crucial for effective detection.
Understanding Polymorphic Threats
Polymorphic threats differ from traditional threats in several key ways. The main difference is in how they evolve and evade detection by security systems.
What Are Polymorphic Threats?
Traditional signature-based threats are static and unchanging. They rely on fixed patterns for detection. In contrast, polymorphic threats can continuously alter their code.
Why Polymorphism Challenges Automated Detection
Polymorphic threats’ features allow them to exploit the limitations of static signature-based detection, making it difficult for automated systems to identify them consistently.
As a result, polymorphic threats can typically evade traditional antivirus software and firewalls. This means they can infect systems for longer and cause more damage before they are detected.
The Limits of SOAR and Automated Detection
Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) and other automated detection systems have limitations that often prevent them from identifying polymorphic threats.
How Automation Detects Threats
SOAR platforms and automated systems rely on standard methods, such as signature-based and behavior-based detection, to identify threats. These methods are effective at detecting known, static threats that display consistent and predictable patterns.
Why Polymorphic Threats Slip Through the Cracks
Automated systems are typically extremely effective at detecting known patterns. However, they often struggle with polymorphic threats, which lack consistent indicators or signatures. Polymorphic threats bypass organizational security systems and go undetected, staying in the organization’s system for longer and causing significant damage.
The Human Advantage: How SOC Teams Detect Polymorphic Threats
Security Operations Center (SOC) teams offer a human advantage when it comes to detecting threats. In particular, they can recognize patterns and context that automated systems can’t identify.
Pattern Recognition and Contextual Analysis
SOC analysts use their expertise to look beyond static indicators. That means they can identify threats based on unusual patterns and context within the network.
For instance, SOC security teams monitor networks for unexpected activities, such as unexplained traffic spikes. They can also identify anomalies, such as logins from unknown locations. In addition, SOC analysts take the broader context of the threat into account. This can include the time of day, the location, or the specific users involved.
Combining insights from multiple sources, such as logs and network monitoring tools, provides analysts with a holistic overview of potential threats. This allows them to get to the root cause more quickly.
Adaptive Response to Emerging Threat Tactics
Experienced SOC teams can quickly adjust their approach based on the latest threat intelligence, allowing them to adapt rapidly to new tactics used by threat actors.
The CyberMaxx Approach: Combining Automation with SOC Expertise
Rather than viewing it as SOC vs. SOAR, organizations can benefit most from using both approaches together. CyberMaxx combines the power of automated SOAR technology with an experienced SOC team, offering a comprehensive approach to threat detection.
SOC Analysts as the Last Line of Defense
CyberMaxx blends technology with human expertise to increase efficiency and improve threat detection. By using SOAR to automate routine tasks, SOC analysts are free to focus on more complex threats.
CyberMaxx’s SOC team provides critical insights and acts as organizations’ last line of defense. Human SOC analysts can investigate alerts flagged by SOAR more closely and manually check for signs of polymorphic activity. This helps them identify emerging trends while maintaining security within the organization.
Why CyberMaxx’s SOC Team is Essential for Advanced Threat Detection
Human expertise is essential for detecting and responding to polymorphic threats. CyberMaxx’s SOC team offers specialized support that organizations can benefit significantly from.
Providing Peace of Mind in an Evolving Threat Landscape
CyberMaxx’s combined approach ensures clients receive adaptive and resilient protection. Its integration of SOAR and SOC capabilities allows organizations to continuously monitor significant amounts of data in real time. Its experts can respond to threats quickly and effectively. This prevents threats from spiraling and offers peace of mind for your organization.
Staying Ahead of Threat Actors
With CyberMaxx, clients are protected against both known and emerging threats, thanks to the continuous innovation of its SOC team.
CyberMaxx’s SOAR technology automates repetitive tasks to deal with low-level threats quickly and effectively. Whenever a suspected security compromise is detected, its zero-latency response model is activated. This reduces the time between detection and containment. As soon as an issue is detected, SOC analysts can jump in and act to eradicate complex threats before they cause harm.
Addressing Polymorphic Threats with the CyberMaxx SOC Team
CyberMaxx combines SOC expertise with automation to deliver the most effective protection against polymorphic threats. That ensures your organization remains secure and resilient.