With a gigantic number of security alerts and threat intelligence to manage, it can feel impossible for managers to get a complete view of cyber attacks. There is simply too much information to collect, organise and analyse.
What do you need most when you start building a product? The right tools. Cyber security is the same. You need the right tools to build a lasting cyber defence. Various tools work together to detect and prioritise threats. They are managed through playbooks created by a security team to respond to incidents.
Match tools to the threat landscape
The solution sounds easy. Finding the right tools is not. Finding the right software is about making the right decision based on ROI. Security managers need to understand what each tool actually does before they can decide what they need.
Match tools to the company size
Company size and infrastructure play a huge role. If you are a small or medium enterprise, an enterprise-grade tool makes no financial sense and will not scale to your environment. Hardware, software or virtual appliances need to be tested. The types of threats vary across industries. Some vendors specialise in finance and healthcare; others in education and utilities.
Match tools to each other
Choose tools that integrate with your pre-existing stack. If not, look at other vendors. Purchasing security analytics tools theoretically makes a business more secure. Purchasing the right ones, integrated properly, is what actually ensures it.
Originally published 19 May 2017. Migrated to the new IRC site in 2026.