Observability in Federal Cybersecurity: A Critical Component for National Security

In an era marked by escalating cyber threats and sophisticated adversaries, the federal security domain faces unprecedented challenges in safeguarding national assets and critical infrastructure. As cyberattacks become more frequent and complex, the need for enhanced visibility into system operations has never been more crucial. Observability has emerged as a vital component in this landscape, providing unparalleled insights that enable timely detection and response to security incidents.

Observability in Federal Cybersecurity

When it comes to security, the adage "you can’t protect what you can’t see" rings particularly true. Organizations that can visualize and understand their data are in a much better position to thwart cyberattacks and breaches. Observability transforms the way businesses detect and remediate cyber threats, so much so that the observability market is projected to reach $2 billion by 2026.

While observability may not be a mainstream topic in the identity security space, it is an essential piece of the puzzle. It illuminates the attack surface, allowing security teams to identify and prevent breaches more effectively. By integrating observability with identity management, security teams gain access to more comprehensive data on identity-based threats, reducing silos and accelerating their response to potential attacks.

The Identity Attack Surface

The identity attack surface is expanding rapidly as the number of applications and systems employees connect to grows exponentially. Security teams require specific information to discern legitimate access from risky behavior. Observability plays a crucial role in this process, enabling teams to analyze user behavior and access patterns effectively. By layering observability with identity management, organizations can enhance their understanding of identity-based threats and streamline their defenses.

Establishing a Baseline of Normal

One of the key advantages of observability is its ability to establish a baseline of "normal behavior." This baseline allows identity and access management (IAM) systems to leverage data for informed decision-making that protects business operations. This strategy, known as behavior-driven governance, relies on granular data about how individuals use their identities and access privileges.

Key Components of Observability

To effectively set a baseline, three types of data are paramount:

1. Metrics: These quantify performance, including key performance indicators (KPIs) such as response time, error rates, and alerts.

2. Traces: These help IT teams pinpoint the source of an alert, identifying which part of a login process may be vulnerable to exploitation.

3. Logs: These provide contextual event information that answers the who, what, where, when, and how of access activities.

For instance, if a company has only U.S. employees and North American suppliers, a login attempt from Singapore would raise a red flag, prompting an investigation. Enhanced observability into data and its associated patterns enables businesses to detect potential breaches swiftly and efficiently.

To maximize the benefits of observability, organizations should utilize these three data types in tandem to gain a comprehensive understanding of the identities they manage.

Insights from the 2024 Report on the Cybersecurity Posture of the United States

The 2024 Report on the Cybersecurity Posture of the United States highlights the importance of observability and monitoring within IT systems, particularly regarding cybersecurity. Key excerpts from the report emphasize:

• Logging and Monitoring: The report discusses enhanced logging capabilities for federal agencies, facilitated by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). This initiative underscores the critical role of logging and real-time monitoring in observability.

• Incident Response: The report notes that Cybersecurity Advisories (CSA) provide timely guidance to critical infrastructure owners and operators, emphasizing the importance of monitoring in threat detection and response.

• Cyber Analytics and Data Systems: CISA is developing a new Cyber Analytics and Data System to integrate cybersecurity datasets, automate data analysis, and support rapid identification and mitigation of malicious cyber activity.

• Zero Trust Architecture: The report mentions the adoption of Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA), which relies heavily on continuous monitoring and validation of user behavior—core principles of observability.

• Supply Chain Exploitation: The report highlights the complexities introduced by hybrid deployments, stressing the need for centralized logging and monitoring to detect and mitigate supply chain threats.

Overall, the report emphasizes various aspects of observability and monitoring as integral components of a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy.

Case Study: Netflix

Netflix provides an intriguing case study on the application of observability for identity security. The company recently sought to crack down on password sharing, aiming to prevent unauthorized access to its platform. This initiative required Netflix to accurately identify and manage unauthorized access without disrupting legitimate user activity.

To achieve this, Netflix needed to:

• Data Collection: Gather detailed metrics, logs, and traces related to user activities, including login times, IP addresses, device types, and usage patterns.

• Behavioral Analytics: Utilize machine learning algorithms to analyze the collected data and establish a baseline of normal user behavior, enabling the detection of anomalies indicative of password sharing.

• Real-Time Monitoring: Implement systems to continuously track user activities and detect suspicious behavior as it occurs, allowing for prompt action against potential security threats.

• User Notifications: Develop mechanisms to notify users of unusual activity and verify their identity through multi-factor authentication (MFA), ensuring legitimate users are not unfairly penalized.

• Policy Adjustments: Use insights gained from observability to dynamically refine access policies, such as limiting the number of devices that can access an account simultaneously.

Netflix has invested significantly in building its own in-house observability tools, such as Atlas, for time-series data storage and visualization. This capability allows the company to visualize and understand user data in real time, facilitating proactive threat detection and mitigation while enhancing identity security without compromising user experience.

Best Practices for a Data-First Observability Framework

To establish a data-first observability framework, organizations should adhere to the following best practices:

1. Define Key Metrics: Identify observability metrics based on organizational business priorities.

2. Executive Buy-In: Secure organization-wide education on a culture of observability, data access, and governance.

3. Centralized Data Pipeline: Create a pipeline to centralize and standardize data sources for identifying baseline and abnormal behavior.

4. Analytics Tools and Automation: Implement analytics tools and automated processes to filter through the noise of alerts.

By establishing a robust observability infrastructure, federal security teams can enhance their decision-making capabilities regarding access and identity-based threats. This not only improves system reliability and performance but also fortifies the overall security posture of federal agencies.

In conclusion, as cyber threats continue to evolve, the integration of observability into federal cybersecurity strategies will be essential for safeguarding national assets and critical infrastructure. By leveraging data-driven insights, organizations can enhance their defenses and respond more effectively to the ever-changing landscape of cyber threats.