SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation and Response)

What is SOAR

SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation and Response) is a class of platforms for automation, orchestration and response to information security incidents. SOAR links disparate protection tools (firewalls, EDR, antiviruses, SIEM, DLP, NDR) into a single ecosystem and automates routine operations, reducing the response time to threats from hours to minutes. In corporate networks, SOAR integrates with SIEM systems, receiving information about security events from them, and with EDR/XDR solutions, NDR, firewalls and DLP systems for automatic execution of response scenarios. SOAR is a key element of modern information security monitoring centers (SOC), allowing analysts to focus on complex investigations instead of routine operations. In the conditions of the growth in the number of cyberattacks and the shortage of qualified information security specialists, SOAR is becoming not just desirable, but a critically necessary tool for effective protection.

How SOAR works

SOAR uses a three-level architecture that provides an integrated approach to incident management. The first level is orchestration. Combining disparate protection tools into a single system through APIs, connectors and integration adapters. SOAR connects to SIEM, EDR, firewalls, antiviruses, DLP systems, cloud platforms and other data sources, creating a unified security ecosystem. The second level is automation. Creating pre-written response scenarios (playbooks) for typical incidents. For example, when a suspicious file is detected, the system automatically blocks it on all devices, isolates the infected workstation, collects forensic data, creates a ticket in the incident management system and notifies the responsible employee. The third level is response. A unified console for incident management, automatic routing of tasks, SLA control and reporting. SOAR provides analysts with a single window for working with incidents, automatically enriches data with context information (geolocation, IP address reputation, threat information from Threat Intelligence) and offers ready-made response scenarios. SOAR is often integrated with information security monitoring centers (SOC), providing analysts with ready-made response scenarios and reducing incident processing time (MTTD/MTTR).

Key advantages of SOAR

The implementation of SOAR gives organizations the following possibilities. Acceleration of response — automatic scenarios reduce incident processing time from hours to minutes, and in some cases to seconds. This is critically important for preventing the spread of attacks and minimizing damage. Reducing the load on analysts — automation of routine tasks (data collection, enrichment with context, creating tickets) frees up time for complex investigations and strategic planning. Unified management window — all protection tools are managed from a single console. Increasing SOC effectiveness — reducing the number of false positives, improving metrics (MTTD, MTTR), improving the quality of investigations. Standardization of processes — all incidents are processed according to unified, approved scenarios, which eliminates the human factor and ensures consistency of response. Reduction of operating costs — automation makes it possible to process more incidents with fewer personnel.

Playbooks in SOAR

A playbook is a pre-written scenario of automatic response to an incident, which is the heart of a SOAR platform. Playbooks are developed by SOC analysts on the basis of best practices, investigation experience and regulatory requirements. An example of a playbook for a phishing e-mail may include the following steps: extracting attachments and links from a suspicious letter; checking attachment hashes against threat databases (VirusTotal, OTX); checking the reputation of the domain and sender IP address; blocking the sender on the mail gateway; removing the letter from the mailboxes of all employees; isolating the device if the user opened the attachment; notifying the employee and his manager about the phishing attempt; creating a ticket in the incident management system with all collected data. Playbooks can be automatic (performed without human participation) or semi-automatic (requiring analyst confirmation at certain stages). Playbooks are continuously improved on the basis of investigation experience and new threats.

Integration of SOAR with other systems

The effectiveness of SOAR directly depends on the quality of integration with other security and IT infrastructure systems. SOAR integrates with SIEM systems (SIEM) to receive security events and alerts. With EDR/XDR for receiving data about the state of endpoint devices and the possibility of isolating infected hosts. With NDR for analyzing network traffic and detecting suspicious connections. With firewalls (Firewall, NGFW) for automatic blocking of malicious IP addresses. With DLP systems for monitoring data leaks and preventing incidents. With ticketing systems (Service Desk, ITSM) for creating and tracking incidents. With Threat Intelligence platforms for enriching data with threat information. With access management systems (IAM) for blocking compromised accounts. With mail gateways for removing phishing letters. Each integration requires configuring a connector and developing the corresponding playbooks.

Russian SOAR solutions

Domestic SOAR solutions included in the Register of Domestic Software are actively developing in Russia, which is critically important for government structures and CII facilities. R-Vision SOAR is one of the leading Russian platforms, offering wide possibilities for orchestration and automation. Security Vision SOAR is a solution oriented to large corporations and government structures. UDV SOAR is a platform with a focus on automation of SOC operational processes. Most Russian SOAR solutions are certified by FSTEC of Russia and support work with Russian OS, which makes it possible to use them in government information systems. The implementation of SOAR in Russian conditions also requires taking into account the requirements of 152-FZ on the protection of personal data and 187-FZ on CII security. A comprehensive approach to the implementation of SOAR requires professional design and staff training on training courses.