On your best behaviour?
In the last of my posts following on from my article on Internal Threat Management called ‘The Enemy Within’, this final piece looks at User Behaviour Analytics or UBA for short.
User Behaviour Analytics (UBA) is a method of security analysis that uses data to identify anomalous or suspicious behavior by individuals within an organisation’s network. UBA can help organisations detect and respond to security threats quickly and effectively, minimizing the impact of any potential breaches.
UBA works by analysing data from various sources, including user activity logs, system logs, and network traffic. This data is then processed by machine learning algorithms that identify patterns of behavior that are consistent with typical user behavior. Any deviations from the norm are flagged as potentially suspicious behavior that requires further investigation.
UBA can be used to detect a wide range of security threats, including:
Insider threats
UBA can help identify employees or authorised personnel who may be attempting to steal data, commit fraud, or sabotage the organisation’s systems.
External threats
UBA can help identify attackers who have gained access to an organisation’s systems through phishing or other means.
Advanced persistent threats (APTs)
UBA can help identify APTs, which are long-term, targeted attacks that attempt to gain access to an organisation’s systems over an extended period.
Data exfiltration
UBA can help identify when sensitive data is being accessed or transferred in ways that are unusual or unauthorised.
The benefits of using UBA are numerous
By analysing data in real-time, UBA can help organisations detect and respond to threats quickly, reducing the potential impact of any breaches. Additionally, UBA can help organisations reduce false positives, which are often associated with traditional security methods.
User Behaviour Analytics – Useful Video
The below video by Citrix explains UBA in a clear and understandable way.
However, there are also some challenges associated with using UBA. One of the main challenges is the complexity of the data that needs to be analysed. UBA requires a vast amount of data from various sources, which can be challenging to manage and analyse effectively. Additionally, UBA requires skilled data scientists and security experts who can interpret the results and take appropriate action.
In conclusion, UBA is a powerful tool for detecting and responding to security threats in real-time. By analszing user behavior data, UBA can help organisations detect anomalous behavior that may be indicative of a security threat. While there are challenges associated with using UBA, the benefits of using this approach to security far outweigh the costs, and organisations that adopt UBA are better positioned to protect themselves against today’s complex security threats.
Thanks
Richard
