Disclaimer: This article reflects my personal opinions and experiences as a security professional. It should not be taken as definitive advice, but rather as a starting point for discussion and further exploration of this important topic.

A new trend is creeping into cybersecurity, a siren song that keeps luring defenders into treacherous waters: the promise of complete automation. It’s a seductive tune that whispers of a world where security threats are neutralised without human intervention, patches are flawlessly deployed across systems, and incident response runs like a well-oiled machine. But like many sirens, this song often leads to dangerous misconceptions about what technology can really do on its own.

The seductive appeal of “Set It and Forget It”

Let’s be honest: the idea of fully automated security is incredibly appealing. As security professionals, we’re constantly juggling multiple responsibilities, from monitoring network traffic to managing vulnerabilities, while trying to stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated threats. The prospect of delegating these tasks to automated systems seems like the perfect solution to our overwhelming workload.

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Vendors know this all too well. Walk through any cybersecurity conference, and you’ll be bombarded with promises of “fully automated” solutions that claim to handle everything from threat detection to incident response. These marketing pitches tap into our deepest desires as security professionals – the dream of finally getting ahead of the curve instead of constantly playing catch-up.

The Red Team perspective

What’s particularly interesting is how red teamers – and by extension, actual threat actors – have learned to exploit this over-reliance on automation. They understand that many organizations have developed a false sense of security based on their automated defenses. In fact, red teamers often specifically target these automated systems, knowing that they tend to be more predictable and less adaptable than human defenders.

Think about it: When was the last time you heard of a major security breach where the compromised organization didn’t have automated security measures in place? Most likely, they had multiple layers of automated defenses. Yet, somehow, the attackers still found their way in. The reality is that nearly every significant breach occurs through a vector that should have been automatically protected.

The human element in Automated Systems

The core issue isn’t that automation is bad – far from it. Automation is an essential tool in modern cybersecurity. The problem arises when we treat it as a complete solution rather than what it really is: a tool that requires human oversight, maintenance, and regular adjustment.

Consider patch management automation. On paper, it sounds perfect: automatically detect vulnerabilities and deploy patches across your infrastructure. But in practice, things are rarely so simple. What about legacy systems that might break with certain updates? What about mission-critical applications that require testing before patches can be deployed? What about zero-day vulnerabilities that don’t have patches yet?

These scenarios require human judgment, experience, and context – qualities that automated systems, no matter how sophisticated, simply cannot replicate.

Building a better Security Strategy

The key to effective cybersecurity isn’t finding the perfect automated solution – it’s building a comprehensive strategy that intelligently combines automation with human expertise. Here’s where many organizations go wrong: they invest heavily in security products while underinvesting in the services and strategies needed to make those products truly effective.

Think of security products like sophisticated musical instruments. Having the finest violin in the world won’t automatically make you a virtuoso – it takes years of practice, understanding, and skill to make beautiful music. Similarly, security tools are only as effective as the strategies and services built around them.

This means investing in:

  • Regular training and skill development for security teams
  • Clear incident response procedures that combine automated and manual components
  • Continuous assessment and adjustment of security strategies
  • Strong partnerships with security service providers who can supplement internal capabilities

The role of Managed Services

One often-overlooked aspect of effective security is the value of managed services. While internal teams might be tempted to rely heavily on automated solutions due to resource constraints, managed service providers can offer the human expertise needed to maximize the effectiveness of security tools.

Good managed service providers don’t just monitor automated alerts – they provide context, analyze patterns, and make informed decisions based on years of experience across multiple organizations. They understand that every alert, even if automatically generated, needs to be evaluated within the broader context of an organization’s security posture.

Looking forward

As artificial intelligence and machine learning continue to evolve, we’ll undoubtedly see even more sophisticated automated security solutions emerge. However, the fundamental principle will remain the same: these tools are meant to augment human expertise, not replace it.

The most successful organizations in terms of security are those that understand this balance. They leverage automation to handle routine tasks and initial threat detection but maintain strong human oversight and intervention capabilities. They know that while automation can handle the “what” of security incidents, it takes human insight to understand the “why” and “how” – and most importantly, to predict and prevent future incidents.

Bottom line

The next time a vendor promises a fully automated security solution, remember this: security products are tools, not solutions. The real value lies not in the tools themselves, but in how you use them. Build your security strategy around this understanding, and you’ll be better positioned to face whatever threats come your way.

True security isn’t about finding a magical automated solution that will solve all your problems. It’s about building a comprehensive strategy that combines the efficiency of automation with the irreplaceable value of human expertise. After all, in the ongoing chess game of cybersecurity, the best moves often come not from the computer, but from the human players who know how to use their tools effectively.