Malware Analysis in the Morden SOC
The security operations center, or SOC, is the heart and soul of an enterprise that identifies,
investigates and remediates security threats. However, modern-day threats continue to evolve,
making it important for an organization’s SOC to evolve too. In this blog, we’ll explore some
tooling and concepts that are commonly used to create the most efficacious modern SOC, capable
of quick and effective malware triage. SOC analysts often encounter suspicious executables or files
in the process of investigating a potential intrusion. Getting clarity about the origin and purpose of
the potential malware gives valuable information that can guide the rest of the investigation and
response. Malware Analysis techniques arm the analyst with the tools needed to produce these
critical insights. Beginning the journey into malware analysis and equipping your SOC with the
right technology and skillset might seem daunting at first. However, we’ll break down some of the
easiest concepts to get started with, requiring little to no expense, so that your team can hit the
ground running.
Threat actors use malicious software to cause damage to individuals and organizations. Malware is
the most common form of a cyberattack because of its versatility. It may involve a virus to a
devastating ransomware attack. Security analysts use methods and tools to analyze suspicious
files in search of malware. In this post, we’ll explore the most common use cases for malware
analysis.
Malware analysis is absolutely critical for the success of a Security Operations Center (SOC). Here's
why, in key points:
Threat Intelligence:
1. Malware analysis reveals how malicious code operates, its objectives (data theft, system
disruption, etc.), and how it spreads. This crucial intelligence allows the SOC to:
2. Identify and neutralize threats before they cause significant damage.
3. Improve the accuracy of security tools like firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and
endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions.
4. Contribute to the broader cybersecurity community by sharing insights with other
organizations and agencies.
Incident Response:
1. Understanding the malware's behavior enables swift containment actions to prevent
further damage to systems and data.
2. Analysis helps pinpoint the scope of the breach, enabling thorough cleaning of infected
systems and restoration of compromised data.
3. Malware analysis is essential for digital forensics investigations, reconstructing the attack
timeline, identifying the source of the attack, and gathering evidence for legal
proceedings.
Improved Security Postures:
Malware Analysis in the Morden SOC
1. Analyzing malware can reveal exploited vulnerabilities in systems and
applications, allowing for timely patching and mitigation.
2. By analyzing suspicious files and activities, SOC analysts can proactively hunt for
threats that might have evaded initial detection.
What is Malware Analysis?
Malware analysis is the use of tools and procedures to understand the behavior and purpose of a
suspicious file. The process aims to detect and mitigate any potential threat. This practical process
enables analysts to understand the malware’s functions, purposes, and potential impact. To
achieve this, security teams use malware analysis tools. They assess and evaluate specific malware
samples, usually inside a contained environment called a sandbox.
Incident responders and security analysts use malware analysis to:
Identify the source of an attack
Categorize incidents by the level of severity
Improve the efficiency of the incident response process
Evaluate the potential damage from a security threat
Enrich threat hunting processes
Why Malware Analysis is Critical for a Strong Cybersecurity Posture
Malware analysis is one of the key processes in cybersecurity. Security analysts are regularly asked
to analyze a suspicious file to check whether it is legitimate or malicious. It is important for
responders because it helps them reduce false positives and understand how extensive a malware
incident is.
Malwareanalysi is useful both for pre-incident and post-incident activity. During an incident,
malware analysis gives you actionable information by identifying and classifying the malware. By
documenting and identifying the malware via malware analysis, you gain a wealth of information
that helps prevent future incidents.
After the incident, the information you gained from malware analysis forms part of the lessons
learned. Analysts learn about patterns, methods of attack, and behavior from the newly analyzed
malware that helps them devise prevention methods for other similar incidents.
