David Schiffer is the CEO of RevBits and formerly of Safe Banking Systems (SBS). RevBits develops cybersecurity software for organizations. The cybersecurity industry has long grappled with a shortage of skilled security personnel, prompting many organizations to adopt the approach of 'doing more with less.'
What does 'doing more with less' entail in practice? It involves maximizing productivity and effectiveness with limited resources, including personnel and technology. While this strategy has been necessary, it presents challenges.
One significant issue is the strain on cybersecurity teams. With a lack of skilled professionals to combat increasing cyber threats, team members are burdened with additional responsibilities, leading to burnout and decreased work quality.
Moreover, without automation, teams spend excessive time on routine tasks like monitoring alerts and patching vulnerabilities, diverting attention from strategic activities.
Automation in cybersecurity operations is a game-changer. It allows teams to overcome workforce shortages and enhance productivity by:
- Efficient Alert Handling
- Continuous Monitoring
- Faster Response Times
- Vulnerability Management
- Resource Optimization
Automated security empowers organizations to utilize resources optimally, allocate human expertise strategically, and enhance overall resilience against evolving cyber threats.
Transitioning to automation is crucial for maintaining a robust cybersecurity posture. It enables organizations to adapt to emerging threats in real-time, enhancing defense mechanisms and operational efficiency.
To start automating cybersecurity processes, organizations should:
- Identify automation-suitable areas and tasks
- Evaluate benefits and risks
- Align automation with security goals
- Develop security automation playbooks
- Monitor and measure automation performance
- Train cybersecurity teams on automation
- Embrace a DevOps culture
By leveraging automation effectively, security teams can transform the challenge of 'doing more with less' into the ability to 'do more with greater efficiency and resource conservation.'
