SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response) is a cybersecurity approach that brings together tools, data, and processes to make threat detection and incident response faster and more effective. In plain terms, it helps individuals streamline security operations, automate repetitive tasks, and react to threats before they cause major damage.
Without SOAR, businesses may risk dealing with slower responses, higher workloads for teams, and greater exposure to cyber risk. Given that cybercriminals are developing more sophisticated types of cyberattacks each year, it’s important for businesses of all sizes across industries to enhance their security strategies. This includes implementing SOAR.
In this article, we’ll walk you through how Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response works, its key benefits, and best practices for successful adoption.
Why is Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response Important for Businesses?
As technology continues to reach new peaks every year, cybercriminals are constantly using it to develop methods to breach digital systems and compromise valuable data. Thankfully, this very same technology can be used to build security strategies that can successfully combat these attacks and protect individuals in every industry and location.
One such strategy is Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response.
From a technical perspective, SOAR enhances an organization’s ability to detect threats early on and stop them from escalating into full attacks, by:
- Integrating multiple security systems
- Automating routine tasks
- Providing faster, more coordinated responses
These steps significantly reduce the time it takes to contain and neutralize a threat, helping businesses stay ahead of modern cybercriminals. But SOAR is not only valuable as a standalone cybersecurity technology.
Companies are under increasing pressure to maintain higher security around clients’ personal data, especially with regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and CCPA in place. SOAR can help individuals meet compliance requirements by offering consistent, timely responses to security incidents.
How Does SOAR Work?
SOAR integrates various security tools and processes into a single system which helps businesses respond to threats more quickly and efficiently. This way, individuals can achieve a more proactive and effective cybersecurity strategy that adapts to evolving threats.
Let’s break down how the SOAR process works, in three distinct steps:
- Orchestration
Orchestration is about connecting and coordinating the different security tools and systems within an organization. It is the initial process of bringing everything together so they can work as one comprehensive unit.
For example, a firewall, intrusion detection system, and endpoint protection might all be working separately, but orchestration makes sure they all share data and collaborate seamlessly. This integration allows security teams to monitor threats from a single dashboard, making it easier to spot issues quickly and respond effectively.
- Automation
Automation reduces the amount of repetitive work a security team may need to handle manually. Once a threat is detected, automated processes can immediately block harmful IP addresses, isolate affected systems, or even begin the process of incident investigation. This method speeds up the response time, guaranteeing that potential threats are contained before they escalate, while allowing staff to focus on other important issues.
- Response
Response is where SOAR shows its true value as a key part of a good cybersecurity strategy. When an incident occurs, predefined response workflows are triggered, meaning the system automatically follows the steps needed to contain the threat and mitigate damage. Whether it’s alerting the right people, launching countermeasures, or initiating recovery steps, SOAR guarantees that every response is timely and well-coordinated.
The Difference Between SOAR and SIEM
SOAR and SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) may often get mixed up because both are key components in cybersecurity. But while they share some similarities, they serve different purposes, and understanding the differences is crucial for selecting the right tool for your organization’s security needs.
SOAR is focused on taking action when a threat is detected. It automates responses, reducing the time and effort needed to handle incidents. This makes it ideal for businesses that need to react quickly to threats.
On the other hand, SIEM is primarily used for monitoring and analyzing security data to detect potential threats. While it’s ideal for identifying risks, it doesn’t handle response actions automatically.
The table below will help clarify the roles of SOAR and SIEM better, highlighting their unique functions and benefits:
| Feature | SOAR | SIEM |
| Purpose | Automates and coordinates incident response and tasks | Collects, monitors, and analyzes security event data |
| Focus | Active response and remediation | Threat detection and data aggregation |
| Automation | Automates repetitive tasks and response actions | Focuses on alerting and data collection |
| Integration | Integrates with multiple security tools for fast action | Integrates data from security devices and platforms |
| Action | Takes immediate action based on incidents | Generates alerts but doesn’t automatically respond |
| Time to Resolution | Faster, thanks to automated responses | Slower, due to reliance on manual intervention |
The Key Benefits of SOAR
Understanding how SOAR can benefit your company is key to strengthening your overall security posture. Below, we will explore a few essential advantages you can gain by implementing SOAR into your cybersecurity strategy:
- Faster Incident Response – SOAR automates responses to detected threats, helping security teams to act quickly before the attack spreads or causes significant damage.
- Reduced Manual Work – By automating routine tasks like data collection and alert triage, SOAR frees up security personnel to focus on more complex issues, improving overall efficiency.
- Streamlined Operations – SOAR integrates different security tools into a single system, simplifying workflows and improving communication between teams. This leads to faster, more coordinated actions during a security incident.
- Improved Accuracy – Automation reduces human errors in detecting and responding to incidents. With predefined workflows, SOAR guarantees that responses are consistent and aligned with security policies.
- Better Resource Allocation – With faster responses and reduced workloads, your team can focus on proactive tasks like threat hunting and risk management, helping to improve long-term security strategies.
- Enhanced Compliance – SOAR helps businesses stay on top of regulatory requirements by automating compliance tasks, ensuring that security measures are always up to date and aligned with industry standards.
Common Use Cases of SOAR
SOAR is particularly valuable in environments where quick action, precision, and efficiency are crucial for managing cybersecurity risks. Below, we’ll explore several real-world examples showing how SOAR makes a meaningful difference, whether for small businesses or large enterprises, across various industries.
| Use Case | How SOAR helps |
| Small Business Incident Response | For small businesses with limited IT resources, SOAR automates threat detection and response, allowing teams to act quickly without manually handling alerts. |
| Financial Institutions | In finance, SOAR automates responses to fraud and data breaches, ensuring fast action and reducing risk exposure by integrating with monitoring systems. |
| Healthcare Organizations | SOAR helps healthcare providers automate compliance checks, monitor for unusual access, and contain breaches quickly, safeguarding patient data and services. |
| E-Commerce Companies | E-commerce businesses can use SOAR to detect compromised transactions or fraud, isolating issues and preventing them from spreading to other systems. |
| Government & Public Sector | SOAR automates compliance tasks and incident reporting, improving collaboration between security teams and ensuring fast response times in highly regulated environments. |
5 Best Practices for Implementing SOAR
Implementing a Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response strategy can greatly enhance a business’s ability to handle cybersecurity incidents effectively and efficiently. However, to ensure that the implementation is smooth and impactful, it’s essential to follow best practices.
Below are five tips for businesses looking to effectively implement SOAR:
- Align with Business Objectives – Before deploying a SOAR strategy, take the time to align it with your business goals. Understand the specific security challenges your organization faces and how SOAR can address them. Whether it’s automating repetitive tasks or improving incident response times, making sure that the service supports your broader objectives will lead to greater long-term value.
- Integrate with Existing Tools – A critical factor in SOAR’s success is seamless integration with your existing security tools and infrastructure. Whether it’s your SIEM, endpoint detection, or threat intelligence systems, make sure that SOAR can connect with these tools for optimal data sharing and automation. This minimizes disruption and enhances the overall effectiveness of your security operations.
- Define Clear Response Playbooks – Clearly defined response playbooks are essential for SOAR’s automation capabilities to be effective. Work with your security team to document procedures for different types of incidents, from low-level alerts to major breaches. These playbooks will help guarantee that automation is accurate, reducing the risk of human error.
- Focus on Continuous Improvement – SOAR implementation is not a one-time task; it requires continuous evaluation and improvement. Regularly assess the system’s performance, identify areas for enhancement, and adjust your playbooks or integrations as necessary. This approach will help refine your processes over time and maintain an agile response to evolving cyber threats.
- Train Your Team – A key element in a successful SOAR implementation is making sure that your team is fully equipped to use the platform. Provide training that focuses on both the technical aspects and the strategic importance of the SOAR strategy. This will foster confidence within your team and guarantee they can maximize the service’s capabilities during critical moments.
Managed SOAR Services from CyberGlobal
At CyberGlobal, we offer tailored Managed SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response) services designed to empower businesses to navigate the complex cybersecurity landscape.
Our expert team works alongside you to develop a comprehensive SOAR strategy, helping you streamline your security operations while automating critical response workflows. By integrating advanced technology with our team’s specialized knowledge, we make sure that your business can respond to threats in real-time, mitigate risks efficiently, and stay ahead of emerging cyber threats.
However, CyberGlobal focuses on more than just providing services.
We are committed to supporting your business with continuous human expertise by offering guidance and insights that go beyond just implementation. Our certified engineers bring years of experience in delivering enterprise-level services to some of the world’s most renowned companies, such as Mercedes Benz and Red Bull.
Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, we are here to make sure that every organization has access to the same high-quality cybersecurity services, tailored to fit your unique needs.
Even more, we understand that cybersecurity can be challenging and must be customised based on each individual’s security needs. That’s why we take a partnership-first approach, helping you navigate both the threat landscape and the regulatory environment to guarantee that your strategy is not only effective but also compliant.
Contact us today and let us help you craft the ideal SOAR strategy to protect your business, no matter its size, industry, or location!
