Manual processes in every industry are tedious. This often results in added risks and uncertainties, especially with regard to cyber security. If cyber security professionals are expected to complete repetitive tasks, it might affect their performance when it comes to other projects. This is why the workflow needs to include automation. Automation can improve the condition of the workflow for cyber security professionals.

Top 3 Ways to Improve Workflow in Cyber Security

Companies need to have security awareness programs in order to eliminate threats due to human errors. Such errors affect the workflow and can reduce productivity. Following are 3 steps that can help improve workflow.

1. Set a Common and Attainable Goal

Cyber security professionals should have a common goal or vision to work towards. This can be determined by understanding past incidents. Once a pattern is found, strategies are required to provide better outcomes. This then becomes a part of the vision statement. Best cyber security services companies implement this across the organization and involve multiple teams. Teams should also work with representatives from the business end of the company.

When the common goal is decided, it will be easier to create a program that will enable and automate security awareness. All cyber security professionals in the company will be focused on developing those strategies. The goal needs to be a tangible program that is beneficial to every individual in the organization.

A set of behaviors can be put forth by the company. Cyber security employees will have to follow these to avoid security incidents and benefit fully from the awareness program.

2. Analyze behaviors to Predict Security Incidents

Employee behaviour can shape and improve workflow in cyber security companies. According to a report by Gartner, the use of outcome-driven metrics (ODMs) can help with the operational outcomes that are dependent on employee behaviour. In cyber security companies, the behaviors of professionals can be analyzed. This analysis will determine the impact of security incidents and how that can be minimized.

There are various computer training programs available that can be implemented to improve the overall workflow for cyber security professionals. These are aimed at security awareness. They provide outcome metrics based on data like completion rates and knowledge checks. These can also be used to predict how the end-users are dealing with changes in security.

While ODMs do not immediately create an effective and risk-free workflow for cyber security companies, they do provide important metrics. These metrics can be used to create strategies that will offer measurable benefits. ODMs can also be used by professionals who work with cyber security MDR services. Management detection and response or MDR protects data and other assets in the event of a threat to the company’s security. These services are usually outsourced. To improve the benefits of these services, ODMs can be used. The metrics will help determine the areas that are at risk.

3. Use Metrics to Get Better Benefits

Once the ODMs have been determined and combined, they must be applied to the aspects which actually drive the business. The insights available can be used to understand the risks caused by human intervention. Measurable benefits must be given to cyber security professionals to reduce such errors. Automation can help to avoid the mismanagement of data and minimize human error.

The metrics will become favorable if the workflow is improving. The benefits can be linked to business drivers to achieve the best outcomes. This will not only improve security controls but also make sure that the workflow is beneficial for the company’s growth.

Cyber Security Automation

For management purposes, IT automation using AI can improve the workflow significantly. This is similar to the workflow for cyber security professionals. Cyber security automation allows the use of security actions that are machine-based. Such actions can identify and eliminate threats without any human intervention. Cyber automation can immediately detect, triage, and prioritize security threat alerts.

Gartner suggests the use of SOAR technology for the automation of cyber security. Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response or SOAR tools can help to regulate the workflow. This technology is used by the cyber security professional teams to collect and analyze data obtained from monitoring potential threats. The analysis and triaging of threats are done by a combination of manual skills and machine learning. SOAR technologies are then used to prioritize the incidents and determine responses to each. All data collected from the analyses and the specific responses to incidents are transformed into a digital workflow.

Automation for cyber security professionals is meant to regulate repetitive actions and reduce human error. These actions are usually time-consuming and can interfere with the goal of improving workflow efficiency. Cyber security automation will copy the same security actions into the workflow and run them without any manual assistance. Several technologies are used to regulate the workflow. These also help to recognize threats before they become major issues. Automation in cyber security also improves overall employee behaviour and helps teams focus on other important aspects of an organization.

Improvement in Productivity

The improvement of workflow for cyber security professionals has an impact beyond the increasing inefficiency. Several companies make use of cyber security and compliance services. These services include the protection of personal information, confidentiality, and integrity. The enactment of cyber security compliance is usually through a law firm, an industry group, or any other regulatory authority. If the workflow is improved, then there is less risk of data or client confidentiality being compromised.

Once the workflow is prioritized and automated, the productivity of cyber security professionals will increase. If there are too many security controls that require human intervention, employees are bound to get frustrated. But a digital workflow reduces that and allows professionals to develop better strategies and work for the benefit of the company.

Conclusion

Cyber security is essential for every company that deals with any form of digitization. But for professionals in the cyber security industry, repetitive security procedures can affect productivity. This is why it is important to introduce automation into the workflow. It will improve workflow and transform employee behaviors.