# Automation [![[Pasted image 20251104230349.png]]](https://soc-expert.de/From+Logging+to+Alerting+and+Beyond) **Automation** refers to the use of scripts, workflows, or integrated tools to **automatically respond to correlated events or alerts**, without requiring manual intervention for every step. > [!note] Automation in SIEM involves: > > - **Automatically executing predefined actions** when certain alerts or correlated events occur. > - **Reducing manual workload** for security analysts. > - **Speeding up response times** to potential threats. ## How Automation Improves Correlated Events or Alerts |Benefit|Description| |---|---| |**Faster Response**|Automatically blocks IPs, disables accounts, or isolates endpoints when a threat is detected.| |**Reduced Alert Fatigue**|Filters out false positives or low-priority alerts, so analysts focus on real threats.| |**Consistency**|Ensures the same response is applied every time a specific threat pattern is detected.| |**Scalability**|Handles large volumes of alerts without overwhelming human analysts.| |**Enrichment**|Automatically gathers additional context (e.g., threat intelligence, user behavior) to help analysts make better decisions.| ## Runbooks In the context of **automation and orchestration** within **SIEM** or broader **security operations**, a **runbook** is a **predefined set of instructions or workflows** that guide how to respond to specific alerts, incidents, or operational tasks, often in a semi or fully automated way. ### Runbook in Automation **Automated runbooks** execute tasks like: - Blocking IP addresses - Disabling user accounts - Quarantining endpoints - Sending notifications - Creating tickets These actions are triggered by alerts or correlated events without human intervention. ### Runbook in Orchestration **Orchestrated runbooks** coordinate multiple systems and steps: - Enrich alert with threat intelligence - Check user behavior history - Notify SOC team - Escalate to incident response if needed - Document actions in a case management system These workflows may include decision points, conditional logic, and human approvals. ## Example: Automated Workflow for a Brute Force Attack 1. **Correlation Rule Triggers**: - 10 failed login attempts from the same IP within 5 minutes. 2. **Automation Kicks In**: - Enriches the alert with geolocation and threat intel data. - Blocks the IP at the firewall. - Sends an alert to the SOC team via email or Slack. - Opens a ticket in the incident response system. ## Common Automation Actions in SIEM - **IP blocking or firewall rule updates** - **User account lockout or password reset** - **Quarantine of infected endpoints** - **Notification via email, SMS, or chat** - **Ticket creation in ITSM tools (e.g., ServiceNow, Jira)** - **Running forensic scripts or memory dumps**