How We Monitor Cyber Threats 24/7: Best Practices and Strategies

In today’s increasingly interconnected world, cyber threats are evolving at an unprecedented pace. From ransomware and phishing attacks to advanced persistent threats (APTs) and insider risks, organisations face a relentless barrage of dangers that can compromise sensitive data, disrupt operations, and erode trust. To stay ahead, businesses must adopt robust, proactive strategies for monitoring cyber threats around the clock. This article explores the best practices, tools, and approaches for effective 24/7 cyber threat monitoring, ensuring organisations remain resilient in the face of ever-changing risks.

Why 24/7 Cyber Threat Monitoring Matters

Cyber threats do not follow a 9-to-5 schedule. Attackers exploit vulnerabilities at any time, often targeting off-hours when defences may be less vigilant. The average cost of a data breach in 2024 was $4.88 million (£3.7 million), according to IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report, with detection and response times directly impacting financial and reputational damage.

Continuous monitoring ensures:

1. Early Detection: Identifying threats before they escalate reduces potential damage.
2. Rapid Response: Swift action mitigates the impact of breaches or attacks.
3. Compliance: Many regulations (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS) mandate real-time monitoring to protect sensitive data.
4. Proactive Defence: Monitoring trends and patterns helps anticipate future threats.

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How We Monitor Cyber Threats 24/7: Best Practices and Strategies

Key Components of Effective 24/7 Cyber Threat Monitoring

To build a robust 24/7 monitoring system, we encourage businesses to integrate their staff, processes, and technology with our expert support. Below are the critical components.

1. Establish a Security Operations Centre (SOC)

A Security Operations Centre (SOC) serves as the nerve centre for continuous threat monitoring. Whether in-house or outsourced, an effective SOC combines skilled analysts, advanced tools, and well-defined processes to detect, analyse, and respond to threats in real time.

• In-House SOC: Ideal for large organisations with complex infrastructures. Requires significant investment in staff, tools, and infrastructure.
• Managed SOC (MDR): Managed Detection and Response services provide 24/7 monitoring for smaller organisations, leveraging third-party expertise.
• Hybrid SOC: Combines in-house and outsourced capabilities for flexibility and cost-efficiency.

2. Leverage Advanced Monitoring Tools

Modern cyber threats require sophisticated tools to detect anomalies, correlate events, and provide actionable insights. Key technologies include:

SIEM Systems: Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) platforms like Splunk, IBM QRadar, or Elastic Security aggregate and analyse logs from across the IT environment. They use correlation rules and machine learning to identify suspicious activity.

• Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR): Tools like Datto EDR Falcon or Microsoft Defender for Endpoint monitor endpoints for malware, ransomware, and unauthorised access.
• Network Traffic Analysis (NTA): Solutions like Darktrace or Zeek analyse network traffic to detect unusual patterns, such as data exfiltration or command-and-control communications.
• Threat Intelligence Platforms: Tools like Recorded Future or ThreatConnect provide real-time threat feeds, enabling organisations to stay ahead of emerging risks.
• User and Entity Behaviour Analytics (UEBA): UEBA tools use AI to establish baseline behaviours and flag deviations, such as unusual login times or data access patterns.

3. Implement Real-Time Threat Intelligence

Threat intelligence is the backbone of proactive monitoring. By integrating feeds from sources like the MITRE ATT&CK framework, open-source intelligence (OSINT), or commercial providers, organisations can:

• Stay informed about new vulnerabilities, exploits, and attacker tactics.
• Correlate internal alerts with external threat data for context.
• Prioritise high-risk threats based on relevance to the organisation’s industry or geography.

For example, if a new ransomware variant targets healthcare, a hospital’s SOC can adjust monitoring rules to focus on related indicators of compromise (IOCs).

4. Automate Where Possible

Manual monitoring is impractical for 24/7 coverage. Automation streamlines repetitive tasks, allowing analysts to focus on complex threats. Key automation areas include:

• Alert Triage: Use AI-driven tools to filter out false positives and prioritise critical alerts.
• Incident Response Playbooks: Automate initial responses, such as isolating compromised systems or blocking malicious IPs.
• Patch Management: Automate vulnerability scanning and patching to close security gaps quickly.

5. Train and Retain Skilled Analysts

Technology alone isn’t enough—human expertise is critical. Cyber threat analysts must be trained in:

• Threat hunting: Proactively searching for hidden threats.
• Incident response: Containing and mitigating attacks.
• Forensics: Investigating breaches to understand root causes.

To combat the cybersecurity skills gap, organisations should invest in continuous training, certifications (e.g., CISSP, CEH), and retention strategies like competitive salaries and career development.

6. Monitor Across All Environments

Modern IT environments are diverse, spanning on-premises systems, cloud platforms, and hybrid setups. Comprehensive monitoring must cover:

• Cloud Environments: Use tools like AWS Security Hub or Azure Sentinel to monitor cloud workloads for misconfigurations or unauthorised access.
• IoT and OT Systems: Secure Internet of Things (IoT) and Operational Technology (OT) devices, which are increasingly targeted in industries like manufacturing.
• Remote Workforces: Monitor VPNs, remote desktops, and employee devices to detect phishing or credential theft.

7. Develop Incident Response and Recovery Plans

Monitoring is only effective if paired with a robust incident response (IR) plan. Key steps include:

• Preparation: Define roles, responsibilities, and escalation paths.
• Detection and Analysis: Use monitoring tools to identify and classify incidents.
• Containment: Isolate affected systems to prevent further damage.
• Eradication: Remove malware and close vulnerabilities.
• Recovery: Restore systems and verify security.
• Lessons Learned: Conduct post-incident reviews to improve processes.

Regularly test IR plans through tabletop exercises or red team simulations to ensure readiness.

Best Practices for 24/7 Cyber Threat Monitoring

1. Prioritise High-Risk Assets

Not all assets require equal attention. Conduct a risk assessment to identify critical systems, such as customer databases or financial applications, and prioritise monitoring efforts accordingly.

2. Use a Defence-in-Depth Approach

Layered security reduces the risk of a single point of failure. Combine firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), encryption, and endpoint protection to create multiple barriers against threats.

3. Maintain Comprehensive Logging

Logs are the foundation of threat detection. Ensure logs are collected from all systems, stored securely, and retained for sufficient periods to support investigations and compliance.

4. Regularly Update and Tune Systems

Outdated tools or poorly configured systems can miss critical threats. Regularly update monitoring tools, refine SIEM rules, and adjust thresholds to minimise false positives and negatives.

5. Foster Collaboration

Encourage information sharing with industry peers, ISACs (Information Sharing and Analysis Centres), and government agencies. Collaborative threat intelligence can provide early warnings about new attack campaigns.

6. Monitor Insider Threats

Insider threats, whether malicious or accidental, account for a significant portion of breaches. Use UEBA and data loss prevention (DLP) tools to detect suspicious employee behaviour, such as unauthorised data transfers.

7. Measure and Improve

Track key performance indicators (KPIs) like mean time to detect (MTTD) and mean time to respond (MTTR). Use these metrics to identify gaps and improve monitoring processes.

Challenges in 24/7 Cyber Threat Monitoring

• Alert Fatigue: Analysts can become overwhelmed by excessive alerts. Mitigate this with automation and clear prioritisation.
• Resource Constraints: Small organisations may lack the budget for a full SOC. Managed services or co-managed SOCs can bridge the gap.
• Evolving Threats: Attackers constantly adapt. Regular training and threat intelligence updates are essential to stay current.
• Data Overload: Massive data volumes can obscure critical signals. Use AI and machine learning to filter noise and highlight anomalies.

Tools and Technologies to Consider

Here’s a quick overview of popular tools for 24/7 monitoring:

Category

Tool Examples

Key Features

SIEM

Splunk, IBM QRadar, Elastic Security

Log aggregation, correlation, and alerting

EDR

Datto EDR Falcon, SentinelOne

Endpoint protection, threat hunting, and response

NTA

Darktrace, Zeek, Cisco Secure Network

Network anomaly detection and traffic analysis

Threat Intelligence

Recorded Future, ThreatConnect

Real-time threat feeds and IOCs

Cloud Security

AWS Security Hub, Azure Sentinel

Cloud-native monitoring and misconfiguration alerts

Conclusion

Effective 24/7 cyber threat monitoring is a cornerstone of modern cyber security. By combining a well-equipped SOC, advanced tools, real-time threat intelligence, and skilled analysts, organisations can detect and respond to threats before they cause significant harm. Automation, comprehensive logging, and a defence-in-depth approach further enhance resilience. While challenges like alert fatigue and resource constraints persist, adopting best practices and leveraging managed services can help organisations of all sizes stay secure.

In a world where cyber threats never sleep, continuous monitoring ensures your defences are always awake. Invest in the right tools, processes, and people to protect your organisation around the clock.

To Learn more about our Cyber Security, contact the Intouch Tech team at 0333 370 7000 or use the form and email address on this site.

Let's make your business safer for you and your customers.

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