Threat detection and response (TDR)

What is threat detection and response?

Threat detection and response is a core function of modern cybersecurity that enables IT security teams to quickly identify, analyze, and respond to potential threats targeting networks, applications, cloud environments, or other critical systems. Without timely threat detection, security analysts cannot respond effectively to cyber attacks or mitigate damage from malicious activity.

Five key challenges in threat detection and response

With more IT organizations moving assets into the cloud, there’s more opportunity than ever for a threat actor to conduct successful cyber attacks, especially those that result in a data breach. Here are the primary challenges cybersecurity professionals face.

1. Endpoint protection

Remote work, bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies, and a lack of visibility into devices connecting to company networks and accessing data increase risks. It’s made it more difficult for security teams to maintain endpoint security, access management, and identity threat detection across all devices.

2. Network detection

Modern networks are dynamic, with encrypted network traffic and multiple cloud and on-prem systems. Monitoring and detecting malicious activity across complex networks is a constant challenge for the security operations center (SOC).

3. Unknown and advanced threats

Emerging threats, including AI-driven attacks, advanced threats, and zero-day vulnerabilities, are increasingly sophisticated and designed to evade detection frameworks like MITRE ATT&CK. 

4. Tool sprawl

Disconnected cybersecurity tools can make it harder to detect suspicious activity and slow investigation. While more than one software tool is needed to support an effective threat response, a disconnected tool suite with disparate components can make it time-consuming to determine whether an incident is from an advanced threat or a known threat. Integrating SIEM systems, intrusion detection, and threat intelligence platforms is critical for effective threat detection.

5. Staffing challenges

The shortage of qualified cybersecurity professionals can leave organizations exposed. A third-party threat detection service or managed detection can help with overall cloud security, incident response and security monitoring. But, providers must stay up to date with the latest threat intelligence and have the necessary skills and expertise to detect and respond to sophisticated attacks.

Common types of cyber threats

The first step to an effective threat detection and response strategy is understanding the specific threats present in the cyber environment. This shortlist covers several of the most common types, but there are more out there, and new ones appear all the time.

• Malware includes any malicious software program. Malware programs include spyware, viruses, trojan horse applications and other applications that can infect your computer or network, stealing sensitive data and otherwise wreaking havoc and chaos.
• Phishing attacks trick the recipient into volunteering sensitive data. They usually consist of an email that requests the recipient to provide sensitive information. They may also include a link to a web page that has been spoofed to resemble a familiar site where the visitor might enter login information or other personal details.
• Ransomware is malware that locks or disables a computer and asks the user to pay to regain access.
• A DDoS attack happens when a cyber attacker uses a network of remotely controlled computers to flood a website or network with traffic, usually in an attempt to disable the server.
• A botnet is a network of infected computers. Some hackers realized that instead of writing a virus that makes your computer go haywire, they could write a program that makes your computer send spam emails to others with malicious attachments or participate in a DDoS attack. You may not even know that your machines are affected.
• A blended threat uses multiple techniques and attack vectors simultaneously to attack a system.
• Zero-day threats are new threats that nobody has seen before. They result from the arms race between IT organizations and cyber attackers. Because they are brand new, zero-day threats are unpredictable and difficult to prepare for.
• Advanced persistent threat (APT) is a sophisticated cyber attack that includes long-term surveillance and intelligence gathering, punctuated by attempts to steal sensitive information or target vulnerable systems. APTs work best when the attacker remains undetected.

How Sumo Logic supports threat detection and response in the cloud

Just as cyber attackers may deploy a range of threats to target security vulnerabilities within a cloud infrastructure, IT organizations can leverage a variety of software tools and applications for threat intelligence. These include, but are not limited to:

• Cloud access and security brokers (CASB)
• Endpoint detection and response
• Intrusion detection prevention systems (IDS/IPS)
• Perimeter and application firewalls
• Threat intelligence platforms

Sumo Logic Cloud SIEM allows IT organizations to expand their threat detection and response capabilities for cloud environments. With Sumo Logic, IT organizations can:

1. Collect and aggregate security events from multiple sources into a unified system.
2. Use machine learning and analytics to detect patterns indicating potential threats.
3. Configure alerts for security incidents to enable fast response.
4. Automate threat response workflows to reduce response time and mitigate damage.
5. Quickly perform root cause analysis and patch vulnerabilities.

Sumo Logic helps IT organizations execute proactive threat hunting and zero trust security with advanced threat detection, threat intel and data protection from malicious cyber attacks.

Learn more in our ultimate guide to Cloud SIEM.