The recent report of Mandiant [1], 2015 reveals that an average malware targeted compromise remained present for more than two hundred days before detection.

The longest period of a malware presence in the system is comprised of 2,982 days. Further, around 69% threats were detected by external security parties because internal departments of IT did not work properly.

It presents a dismal picture of security situations within organisations which has been accepted as a challenge to implement the sophisticated technology. So, the focus has been shifted significantly towards quick threat detectors to identify malicious users.

In response, user and entity behaviour analytics (UEBA) is emerged to mitigate threats by analysing malicious behaviours using Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.

Analysing User and entity behaviour analytics (UEBA)

The Situations where IT Security Professionals use UEBA

UEBA is considered a game-changer in the business industry owing to its rapid detection and stoppage of fraudulent attacks. It has become an integral part of retail stores and e-commerce.

It is owing to the reason that UEBA helps the organisations to identify and block hackers from signing in to major online sales and purchase web systems. However, it is very common to hack online shopping systems to steal credit cards and other credentials for vested interests.

For instance, a recent incident of hacking occurred at an air travel company where the intruders deteriorate the confidentiality using an affiliate network on Amazon Web Services.

As a result, the company had to experience more than 5,000 login attempts over the day through the stolen credentials. Thanks to UEBA, the malicious login attempts were blocked successfully.

So, the technology is amazing in thwarting fraudsters from getting access to retail systems and re-selling of stolen products.

It evident from the example of a popular gaming server, from where more than 2000 credit cards were stolen and around 500 users’ accounts were created new to use those credit cards. However, IT professionals used user identity technology to stop this massive fraud.

According to the latest report from Gartner [2], more than 60% of the overall organisations’ budget will be allocated to quick detections and threat response by the year 2020. It is the reasons that Endpoint detection and response or EDR is considered a hope for many business corporations.

Working Mechanism of UEBA

The idea is based on analysing profiling in order to detect an anomaly. It is done using machine learning technology and artificial intelligence.

So, the technology maps user activities in a legitimate process to look into suspected behaviours. In this way, threats are identified and stopped to make destruction in a system. The way how UEBA works is as given:

Data Analytics

It is the first component or step of the anomaly detection process. The system learns common behaviours and determines a baseline. Further, peer groups of profiles are built using simple flag anomalous patterns or behaviours. Data is analysed through a process of comparison.

Data Integration

Structured and un-structured information is categorized and assimilated in the form of data logs. Further, inspection of security information and configuration of network management is done using already established monitoring mechanisms.

Data Visualizations and Presentation

The technology manipulates powerful techniques and visual tools to detect recognized patterns of valid users and focus on infractions instead of wrong positives.

Benefits of Implementing UEBA

The technology has done more benefits in blocking insider attacks. It is the reason that Entity-Based Analytics tools are getting extreme popularity among private and public firms. The major role played by the techniques is as given below:

Data is organized using identity association and patterns recognition
Threats are detected using real-time analytics
Artificial Intelligence and machine learning is used as the core technology which enables strict monitoring and malware hunting
Effective integration of the technology with the underlying information platform

Concluding Remarks – Takes Away

To sum up, major security solutions are activity implementing UEBA to ensure effective data integrity. Gartner [3] predicts that approximately 80% endpoint protection platforms are expected to integrate forensics and AI monitoring by the end of 2018.

Taken together, EDR UK offers a wide range of security solutions to ensure adequate monitoring using UEBA to eliminate data threats.

Remember! Data breaches are becoming even more complicated as compared to the past. It is a dire need to understand hackers’ mind than their moves. So, intelligent means to ensure data security is a must for all and sundry.

Helpful Articles:

References:

1.https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/hackers-spend-over-200-days-inside/
2.https://www.gartner.com/newsroom/id/3638017
3.https://www.crowdstrike.com/blog/new-gartner-report-redefines-endpoint-protection-for-2018/

Information Security Diary

Analysing EUBA as a Comprehensive Feature