Agentic Automation in cyber security is reshaping a company’s network security and incident response capabilities. Unlike traditional forms of automation, Agentic Automation does not just execute scripted tasks but also has the ability to plan, execute, monitor, and adjust actions autonomously to achieve complex cyber security goals.
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Operational Challenges in Cyber Security and Incident Response with Manual Operations
Current Security Operations Center (SOC) teams are under immense pressure from three main factors: the volume of alerts, the complexity of attacks, and the shortage of specialized personnel. Manual operation of these processes not only increases costs but also lengthens the Mean Time To Respond (MTTR).
High Volume of Alerts, Including False/Incorrect Alerts
Security systems (SIEM, EDR, Firewall) generate thousands, even tens of thousands of alerts daily.
Real-world Data: According to a global report, security analysts spend up to 50-70% of their time just to triage and verify alerts, the majority of which are false positives.
Challenge: Manual operations overload analysts, making it easy to miss genuine, dangerous alerts, leading to an increase in undetected attacks.
Slow Response Time and Increased Damage
Time is a critical factor in incident response. Manual operations prolong the time from detection to remediation.
Real-world Data: An IBM Security report shows that the average time to identify a cyber attack is typically up to 207 days. Each day of delay significantly increases the cost of damages.
Challenge: Analysis, system isolation, checking affected endpoints, and applying patches are all performed in a step-by-step process, which is time-consuming and increases the risk of spread.
Talent and Expertise Gap
The cyber security industry faces a severe global personnel shortage, especially at the experienced specialist level.
Challenge: Repetitive, manual tasks lead to job dissatisfaction and turnover among security personnel. Banks and financial/securities organizations need staff for strategic analysis tasks, but are forced to use them for data entry tasks and cross-referencing log files across multiple systems.
Automation – Agentic Automation in Cyber Security Helps Optimize Operations and Solve Challenges
To overcome these challenges, automation is the necessary path. However, it is essential to clearly differentiate the current levels of automation.
Comparing Robotic Process Automation (RPA) with Agentic Automation (Automation using Autonomous AI Assistants)
| Feature | Robotic Process Automation (RPA) | Agentic Automation (Automation using Autonomous AI Assistants) |
| Nature | Virtual assistant robots execute a sequence of actions based on a script | AI system uses AI agents to plan, make decisions, and execute complex actions. |
| Decision-Making Capability | Passive (Rule-Based): Only follows pre-programmed rules (IF-THEN-ELSE). | Proactive (Goal-Oriented): Self-analyzes context, learns, makes decisions, and corrects errors to achieve the final goal. |
| Application in Security | Automates repetitive tasks (e.g., pulling data, creating compliance reports). | Automates complex and end-to-end processes (e.g., automated incident investigation and response). |
Agentic Automation uses large language models (LLMs) and AI Agents to communicate, analyze, and execute actions across various tools. It transforms a complex process into a goal, and the AI Agent independently plans the actions.
Cyber Security Applications of Agentic Automation in Securities Companies (Security & Incident Response)
In the securities sector, where the security of transaction data and regulatory compliance are paramount, agentic network security automation delivers superior operational value:
Automated Incident Investigation and Response
Process Description: Instead of humans handling each investigation step, Agentic Automation will:
- Receive alerts from SIEM (e.g., Abnormal sensitive data access alert).
- Plan the investigation (e.g., a) Check IP address, b) Isolate endpoint, c) Analyze log files, d) Check user account).
- Automatically execute actions (e.g., run queries on EDR, disable user account, block IP on Firewall) without intervention.
- Generate a detailed Incident Report and attach evidence.
Value Delivered:
- Reduced MTTR: Reduces response time from several hours to a few minutes (saving 90-95% of time).
- Minimized Damage: Isolates threats almost instantaneously, minimizing the risk of sensitive transaction data leakage.
Enhanced Endpoint Security
Process Description: Ensures that all endpoints (computers, trading servers) comply with internal security policies and legal regulations (e.g., patch application, security configuration).
- Agentic Automation scans endpoints for vulnerabilities/configuration deviations.
- Plans actions (e.g., Determines which patches to apply, which policies to adjust).
- Executes patch installation or configuration adjustment (e.g., disabling unnecessary ports, configuring password policies) automatically and re-checks the results.
Value Delivered:
- Increased Compliance Rate: Increases the rate of policy-compliant endpoints from 80% to 99%.
- Reduced Patching Time: Reduces emergency patch application time from several days to a few hours (saving 80% of manual labor costs).
Automated Identity and Access Management
Process Description: Ensures users within the securities company have appropriate access rights, especially with changes in position or new/departing employees.
- Agentic Automation receives access change requests from the HR system.
- Analyzes the new role, which systems need access, and relevant security policies.
- Automatically grants/revokes access across different systems (Active Directory, trading applications, customer data systems) and sends confirmation notifications.
Value Delivered:
- Increased Accuracy: Error rate in access provisioning is reduced by nearly 100%.
- Increased Speed: Access granting/revoking process happens almost instantly, ensuring no security gaps.
Lessons Learned for Successful Agentic Automation Implementation in Cyber Security
Deploying agentic network security automation is a strategic journey, not simply about purchasing and installing software. Success requires a change in mindset, process, and culture.
Start with Standardized Processes and Clear Scope
Agentic Automation cannot automate chaos.
Lesson: Before deployment, standardize and thoroughly document Incident Response Plans (IRP) and security processes (e.g., how to classify alerts, steps for system isolation). Start with the highest-risk but least complex processes to demonstrate initial value.
RPA Combined with AI in Cyber Security
Success lies in the combination of scripted automation (RPA) and the decision-making capability of AI Agents.
Lesson: Use RPA to perform basic, repetitive tasks (e.g., logging in, pulling data). Use Agentic Automation to analyze alerts, plan actions, and orchestrate RPA robots. Agentic Automation is the intelligent coordination layer that helps existing tools work together autonomously.
Build Monitoring Capability and Increase Trust
Because Agentic Automation has the capability to make decisions and execute critical actions (e.g., blocking transactions, disabling accounts), monitoring is mandatory.
Lesson: Implement strict control mechanisms, including recording a full log of all actions performed by the AI Agent. Initially, set up a “Human-in-the-Loop” mode, where the Agent makes a decision but requires final approval from a human analyst, then gradually transition to a fully autonomous mode.
Upskill the SOC Team
Agentic network security automation is not intended to replace humans but to elevate their role.
Lesson: Retrain security teams to shift from performing manual tasks to managing, monitoring AI Agents, and analyzing strategic data. SOC personnel will become “architects” of automation processes, focusing on refining and optimizing Agents to deal with new threats.
Conclusion on Agentic Automation in Cyber Security
Agentic Automation is the inevitable evolution in the cyber security digitalization journey. By delegating complex, repetitive, and critical processes like incident response to autonomous AI Agents, organizations can achieve near-instantaneous reaction speed, significantly reduce operating costs, and enhance the accuracy of network security. For securities companies, this is not just a competitive advantage but also a mandatory requirement to maintain customer trust and comply with stringent market regulations. Starting the implementation strategically and with a plan will be the key to unlocking the full potential of this era of autonomous automation.
