Will cyber security jobs soon be automated?

Enterprises have seen an increase in cyber security automation in recent years, particularly in terms of processing events and alerts. Automation is used to reduce the risk of human error and is needed to process higher volumes of data. What does this mean for cyber security professionals in the near future?

According to a global survey from 2021, organisations all over the world are automating cyber security on a significant scale. Almost 85% of respondents said that security operations and event or alert processing use a medium to high level of automation. Around 75% of respondents said that medium to high levels of automation are being employed to guard against network security risks.

In recent years, the global cyber security industry has experienced exponential growth. Security professionals who leverage automation are best equipped to thrive in an evolving threat landscape.

For example, automation can be used to rapidly update the latest security patches to every device connected to a company network. With the click of a button, this is easily accomplished from a remote console. In the past, technicians had to manually update each individual device, which was repetitive and time-consuming.

When carried out manually, threat detection and intervention include a substantial amount of repetitive and time-consuming tasks. Software for cyber security can take over with automated processes. This frees up cyber security professionals so they can focus on more important tasks related to business objectives. Security teams can identify threats much more quickly and take action when they do so, thanks to artificial intelligence (AI).

Automation tools for cyber security

Security information and event management (SIEM) makes the process of detecting and responding to cyber security threats more streamlined and centralised. The data generated by various applications, networks, devices, data centres and digital eco-systems is collected and aggregated by a SIEM system.

These systems deliver key insights that can inform professional decision-making through automation, such as data analytics and AI. A SIEM system includes a variety of tools that make use of automation; all business endpoints, including employee devices, sensors, routers, and more, are constantly monitored using endpoint protection and threat response tools.

The automated software that can process huge data sets and provide insights in real time is also the foundation for cyber security tools for malware detection, data monitoring and vulnerability scanning.

Cyber security professionals can gain valuable insight into trends and patterns occurring within the company network thanks to user behaviour and entity analytics. Automated tools set off alerts to inform the relevant personnel or teams about potential threats or security incidents whenever there is any deviation from the norm that goes beyond a reasonable level.

Better visibility and security protection are provided through automation

Cybercriminals take advantage of weaknesses, particularly when companies use multiple vendors and security solutions. The security solutions in these situations do not completely protect all attack surfaces. In the current security climate, organisations must adopt next-generation solutions that are cloud-based and rely on automation to completely cover their attack surface.

As a result, businesses are using attack surface management tools to classify and prioritise processes in accordance with the decisions and objectives set out by cyber security professionals. These tools constantly monitor for potential threats. Large network-dependent enterprises have constantly expanding attack surfaces and require a comprehensive approach to cyber and information security to avoid crippling security breaches and incidents like distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks.

Automated tools help to speed up the incident response process by offering greater insight and protection for multiple business endpoints. Automation gradually reduces the number of false positives through machine learning capabilities. Enterprises benefit from detailed reporting and automated reports can be generated much more quickly and provide more in-depth insight than manual reporting.

The changing role of cyber security professionals

ICT professionals are continuously being pushed to upskill in order to stay competitive and secure their positions. There is certainly a salary incentive for cyber security professionals who regularly upskill, with attractive remuneration and promotion opportunities. These employees are better equipped to adapt to changes in cyber security methods, including the best ways to use automated tools and machine learning capabilities.

In order to manage cyber security effectively, personnel must balance both internal and external threats. To avoid becoming overwhelmed with manual tasks and interventions, they must stay ahead of the latest trends.

The World Economic Forum urges businesses and governments to regularly update their cyber security in order to combat the dangers brought on by a burgeoning group of highly skilled cybercriminals and outdated or legacy security systems.

The implementation of new technologies, projects and supporting business growth are among the new roles and responsibilities that chief information security officers (CISOs) now have, along with addressing the security risks that go along with them. Writing policies, innovating and transforming business processes are all skills that CISOs must possess.

The roles and responsibilities of cyber security professionals

Cyber security professionals are still required to oversee security operations and keep an eye out for any security alerts, despite the growing use of automation. Additionally, they are involved in the setup and configuration of automation to reflect key business metrics and objectives.

For those working in cyber security, some skill sets remain essential. While this still involves things like coding and legal analysis, strategy has emerged as a crucial skill required by security teams in order to adapt to a rapidly evolving technological age. Cyber security professionals need skills beyond technology, like problem-solving, creative thinking, collaboration and communication skills, in order to adapt, grow and diversify.

To enhance their approach to cyber security, professionals should make use of corporate governance and organisational structure. The human element of cyber risk can be reduced or completely eliminated with targeted analytics through automation. Security teams are able to respond proactively to advanced cyber threats by using threat intelligence and analytics.

Benefits of automation for cyber security teams

There are a number of benefits that come with automation. Cyber security professionals and CISOs can make use of insights from automated reports, focusing their attention on high-priority, high-risk threats. Machine learning algorithms offer greater accuracy and allow security professionals to detect and respond to breaches much more effectively and quickly.

By reducing the number of manual tasks, security professionals can free up their time and focus on building the business and servicing their stakeholders. For more information or to get a quote for our various cyber security solutions, email us at marketing@seacom.com or leave us a message.

SEACOM owns Africa’s largest network of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure, including fibre optic networks and subsea cables. We offer a wide range of industry-leading scalable ICT solutions for large companies that operate throughout the region.

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