Enhancing SOC Efficiency with Sandbox Technology
Security Operations Center (SOC) analysts often face the daunting task of reviewing numerous alerts that ultimately prove to be non-threatening. Typically, each alert requires about 30 minutes of investigation, not due to complexity, but because of the need to gather context from various tools such as reputation checks and log pivots. This process can lead to a backlog, increased operational costs, and delayed responses to genuine threats.
An innovative solution lies in leveraging interactive sandbox analysis, which can reduce the review time of harmless alerts to just two minutes, significantly decreasing investigation overhead.
Understanding the 30-Minute Alert Review
Despite intentions to conduct swift reviews, SOC analysts often find themselves engaged in a lengthy process. Initial steps include checking hashes and consulting threat intelligence sources, followed by detonation and log pivots, all to ensure no detail is overlooked. This methodical approach stretches the investigation time, even when dealing with non-complex alerts. The primary delay arises from the necessity to compile context before determining the true nature of a file or link.
Efficient Alert Review Through Interactive Execution
Interactive sandboxing offers a game-changing approach by providing immediate visibility into the behavior of suspicious files or links. Tools like ANY.RUN allow analysts to observe real-time processes, network connections, and redirect chains through direct interaction with potentially malicious content. This immediate insight allows benign alerts to be confidently closed, while malicious ones are promptly escalated based on clear evidence.
For instance, the analysis of a complex phishkit attack using ANY.RUN revealed a multi-stage credential harvesting threat within seconds. What initially seemed to be a simple suspicious link was quickly identified as a sophisticated phishing attempt, demonstrating the effectiveness of behavior-first sandboxing in reducing review times and providing clear evidence from the outset.
The Impact of Sandbox Analysis on SOC Performance
The speed and clarity provided by sandboxing revolutionize alert review processes. On average, 90% of alerts receive an initial verdict within 60 seconds of sandbox execution. The technology combines automation with interactivity, mimicking a real user’s actions to uncover malicious content, without the need for manual reproduction of each step.
ANY.RUN’s sandbox further streamlines the process by automatically collecting indicators of compromise (IOCs) and organizing them in a dedicated tab. This eliminates the need for analysts to manually compile IOC lists, saving valuable time and effort.
By integrating sandbox technology into their workflows, SOC teams can achieve measurable improvements. Reports indicate a reduction of 21 minutes in mean time to resolution (MTTR) per case, a 30% decrease in Tier-1 to Tier-2 escalations, and up to a threefold increase in SOC efficiency. This translates to stronger SLA performance and less alert fatigue, as analysts gain immediate insights into session activities.
Incorporating interactive sandbox analysis into SOC operations not only accelerates triage and reduces escalations but also enhances the overall efficiency of threat management processes.
