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SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation and Response)
Definition
SOAR is a platform that helps security teams automate repetitive tasks, orchestrate security processes, and accelerate incident response.
SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation and Response) is a category of security platforms that help security teams automate repetitive tasks, orchestrate security processes and accelerate incident response. According to Gartner, organisations with SOAR reduce average incident response time by 80%.
How does SOAR work?
SOAR platforms combine three core functions. Orchestration integrates different security tools and data sources in a central platform via APIs. Automation executes repetitive tasks without human intervention via defined workflows (playbooks): retrieving IOC context, blocking an IP address, isolating an endpoint or creating an incident ticket. Response structures incident handling via playbooks prescribing step-by-step actions.
Difference from SIEM
SIEM collects and analyses security data and generates alerts. SOAR automates the action following a SIEM alert. SIEM answers what is happening?; SOAR answers what should we do? Many modern platforms combine SIEM and SOAR in an integrated solution.
Impact on organisations
SOC teams are overwhelmed with alerts: an analyst processes hundreds daily on average. Alert fatigue leads to missed threats and longer response times. SOAR reduces the burden through automated triage, enrichment and response. NIS2 requires effective incident response capabilities. DORA sets requirements for incident handling speed and quality.
Protection
Define playbooks for the most common incident types: phishing, malware detection, unauthorised access and data leakage. Integrate all security tools via APIs. Automate alert triage and enrichment. Measure and optimise Mean Time to Respond (MTTR). Maintain human approval for critical actions.
How DEFION helps
DEFION integrates SOAR functionality into its MDR services. The SOC team uses automated playbooks for rapid triage and response, combined with human expertise for complex incidents.