UEBA stands for User and Entity Behavior Analytics which is one of the security solution that uses machine learning and different algorithms to identify anomalies in the corporate network, servers, and endpoints.
UEBA is not only about keeping a check and balance on human activities, but it also helps to monitor the devices that are connected to the network. A server that is connected to the company’s network can receive tons of requests in one day, so it is important to have the right security measures in the form of UEBA in place to keep an eye on any malicious activity.
How Does UEBA Work
This cybersecurity tool called User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA) tracks, identifies, and notifies users of unusual network activity using data analytics and machine learning. In contrast to conventional security techniques, which depend on pre-established rules or signatures, IT aims to comprehend the normal behavior patterns of users, apps, and devices inside a company. Even if a security threat is unknown or has a historical signature, this solution can detect anomalous activity that might point to it by creating a “baseline” of typical activity.
UEBA gathers and examines a vast amount of information from multiple sources, such as network traffic, email activity, data downloads, login times, and access locations. It creates profiles for every user and entity (such as servers, apps, and other devices) by collecting this data. Any departure from this typical pattern once the baseline has been established sets off an alert. For instance, this solution might indicate suspicious activity if a user who typically logs in during business hours from a particular place suddenly signs in at an odd time or from a foreign nation.
As valid patterns develop, the baseline is kept correct by UEBA’s machine learning algorithms, which continually adjust to behavioral changes over time. In order to prioritize warnings and enable security teams to effectively respond to high-risk occurrences, it also employs statistical analysis and sophisticated algorithms to evaluate the danger of each anomaly.
This solution is especially useful in today’s threat landscape because it can identify risks like insider assaults, compromised accounts, and relevant issues that traditional security technologies frequently miss. It offers a proactive approach to cybersecurity by emphasizing behavior rather than specific threats, assisting companies in recognizing and mitigating risks before they cause serious harm.
Benefits and Practices of UEBA
Here are some of the primary benefits of UEBA that you must know about. It will help you know how this solution can be beneficial for you in identifying security loopholes and threats.
Improved Threat Detection
The capacity of UEBA to spot odd behavior patterns is one of its main advantages. It uses advanced analytics to identify anomalous behavior, even if it doesn’t match known threat profiles, in contrast to traditional security solutions that mostly rely on rule-based systems that only identify known threats.
Malicious activities started by someone inside the company are known as insider threats, and they are notoriously hard to identify. These solutions can monitor employee baseline behaviors and notify security teams of any deviations that can point to insider threats.
Getting Rid of False Positives
Many of the alerts produced by traditional security systems end up being false positives. Security staff may become overburdened and distracted from actual dangers as a result. UEBA systems produce more accurate warnings and fewer false positives by using machine learning algorithms to determine what constitutes “normal” behavior for each person and object. This enables security experts to concentrate on real risks.
UEBA models can change and adapt, in contrast to traditional systems that depend on fixed rules. For example, employees’ usual actions may vary depending on their jobs or responsibilities. By identifying these changes over time and improving its baseline models, it further reduces the possibility of false positives by distinguishing between real threats and innocuous modifications.
Improved Visibility
UEBA offers real-time insight into how entities and people interact with different systems and data. It helps enterprises get a comprehensive picture of activity patterns by continuously monitoring user logins, file accesses, data transfers, and other interactions. Because suspicious activity is instantly detected, this thorough visibility enables quicker, more efficient reactions to possible threats.
Better Response Time
Security personnel are informed that high-risk actions are taking place, thanks to UEBA. Risk scoring, which gives behaviors a numerical value according to the degree of abnormality or hazard they represent, is frequently incorporated into UEBA systems. Teams can swiftly determine which events need immediate attention thanks to this prioritizing, which greatly speeds up reaction times.
Improved Compliance and Audit
Strict regulatory frameworks that mandate user activity monitoring and tracking apply to many enterprises. UEBA provides thorough audit trails that record all user and entity activity, which aids in meeting these standards. Providing easily accessible and well-structured documents not only guarantees compliance but also streamlines the auditing procedure.
Organizations need to take more precautions to protect sensitive data in light of the growing number of data privacy requirements. Businesses may identify illegal access attempts and keep an eye on sensitive data access in real time using this solution. Organizations can make sure they comply with legal obligations and safeguard the information of their clients by implementing regular monitoring and alerts to preserve data privacy.
No Risk of Data Exfiltration
Cybercriminals frequently aim to transmit data outside of a business without authorization, a practice known as data exfiltration. It keeps an eye out for actions that are frequently linked to exfiltration attempts, like downloading excessive amounts of data or repeatedly accessing private files. UEBA can assist in preventing data breaches before they worsen by proactively recognizing these trends.
Many businesses need to protect their private information, trade secrets, and intellectual property in addition to their consumer data. By identifying anomalous user activity, UEBA can assist in preventing unwanted access to these vital resources. This feature is very helpful in defending priceless intellectual property against insider threats.
Good Flexibility
IT environments are more complicated than ever, thanks to cloud services, bring-your-own-device (BYOD) rules, and remote work. By monitoring activity across numerous devices, systems, and locations, these solutions are made to adjust to these various environments.
Numerous UEBA systems are cloud-deployable, giving businesses more flexibility. Because it requires less on-premises equipment and can be scaled as needed, this cloud-based strategy is economical. It is a useful solution for businesses with partially or completely remote workforces since it consistently protects cloud-based assets.