What is user and entity behavior analytics?

User and entity behavior analytics (UEBA) is an evolution of the traditional user behavior analytics (UBA) approach. While UBA focuses solely on monitoring and analyzing the behavior patterns of end-users, UEBA takes it a step further by also scrutinizing the activities of non-user entities, such as servers, routers, and internet of things (IoT) devices. By casting a wider net, UEBA enables security professionals to better understand the entire digital ecosystem, allowing them to identify and address potential threats that may have evaded traditional security measures.

Read also: Smart device security needs higher priority in healthcare

The mechanics of UEBA

Using advanced machine learning algorithms, UEBA establishes a baseline of "normal" behavior for both users and entities, continuously refining this model as it learns and adapts over time. Once the baseline is established, UEBA applies the same analytical techniques to real-time user and entity activity data, identifying any deviations from the norm. These anomalies are then scored based on the perceived risk they pose, allowing security teams to prioritize their response and focus on the most important threats.

Related: HIPAA compliance and data analytics 

UEBA in action

UEBA's capabilities extend beyond just identifying potential security breaches; it also strengthens an organization's overall data loss prevention (DLP) efforts. UEBA can detect and alert on suspicious activities by closely monitoring user and entity behavior, such as:

Malicious insiders

UEBA can identify individuals with authorized access who are attempting to stage a cyberattack, even when traditional security tools may fail to detect them. UEBA can spot anomalies that could indicate malicious intent by analyzing user behavior patterns.

Compromised insiders

Attackers who have gained access to legitimate user credentials can often evade detection by traditional security measures, as their activities may appear authorized. UEBA, however, can identify these compromised insiders by spotting unusual behavior patterns that deviate from the established baseline.

Compromised entities

Organizations often rely on many IoT devices and other connected entities, many of which may have inadequate security configurations. UEBA can help identify when these entities have been compromised, enabling security teams to address the threat before it escalates.

Data exfiltration

Insider threats and malicious actors frequently target sensitive data, such as personal information, intellectual property, or business strategy documents. UEBA can detect unusual download and data access patterns, allowing security teams to respond quickly to potential data breaches.

UEBA's strategic impact

Beyond its tactical applications, UEBA can also serve more strategic purposes, such as strengthening an organization's zero-trust security approach and ensuring compliance with data privacy regulations.

Implementing zero-trust security

A zero-trust security model is one that never trusts and continuously verifies all users and entities, whether they're inside or outside the network. UEBA assists in this approach by providing security analysts with rich, real-time visibility into user and entity activities, enabling them to make informed decisions about access and authorization.

Ensuring compliance

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), imposes strict requirements on organizations to protect sensitive data. UEBA can assist companies in meeting these compliance obligations by closely monitoring user behavior and the sensitive data they access, helping to demonstrate that appropriate security measures are in place.

UEBA and the cybersecurity ecosystem

While UEBA can be used as a standalone solution, it is often integrated with other security tools to enhance overall cybersecurity. Some of the integrations include:

Security information and event management (SIEM)

SIEM systems aggregate security event data from various sources, analyzing it to detect unusual behavior and potential threats. UEBA can expand the SIEM's visibility by contributing its insider threat detection and user behavior analytics capabilities.

Endpoint detection and response (EDR)

EDR solutions monitor system endpoints, such as laptops and IoT devices, for signs of suspicious activity. UEBA complements EDR by providing additional insights into user behavior on these endpoints, enabling more advanced threat detection and response.

Identity and access management (IAM)

IAM tools ensure that the right people and devices have access to the appropriate applications and data. UEBA can enhance IAM by monitoring for signs of compromised credentials or the abuse of authorized privileges.

In the news

The global user and entity behavior analytics (UEBA) market is poised for a major expansion, with Polaris Market Research projecting the market size to soar from USD 1.30 billion in 2022 to USD 23.35 billion by 2032. This represents an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 33.5%. The surge in market growth is largely attributed to the rapid development and adoption of advanced solutions offered by main industry players such as Microsoft Corporation, Check Point Software, Varonis, Palo Alto Networks, and IBM Corporation. 

The increasing need for sophisticated cybersecurity measures to detect and mitigate anomalous behavior, unauthorized data access, and other potential threats is driving this demand. UEBA solutions are becoming an important component of modern cybersecurity strategies, especially as traditional security tools like firewalls and intrusion prevention systems become less effective against changing cyber threats. 

FAQs

What is UEBA in healthcare?

User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA) in healthcare refers to a cybersecurity technology that monitors and analyzes the behavior of users and entities within an organization's network to detect anomalies and potential security threats. It focuses on identifying deviations from normal behavior patterns that could indicate malicious activity or data breaches.

How can UEBA improve security in healthcare organizations?

UEBA improves security in healthcare organizations by continuously monitoring user and entity activities and detecting abnormal behaviors indicative of insider threats, compromised accounts, or unauthorized access attempts. It provides real-time alerts and insights, enabling prompt responses to potential security incidents before they escalate.

What types of anomalies can UEBA detect in healthcare?

UEBA can detect a range of anomalies including unusual login patterns, access to unauthorized resources, data exfiltration attempts, abnormal usage of medical records systems, deviations from typical clinical workflows, and suspicious network activity that could indicate malware infections or insider threats.

What are the features to look for in UEBA for healthcare?

The main features to consider in UEBA for healthcare include advanced machine learning algorithms for anomaly detection, integration with existing security infrastructure such as SIEM and endpoint protection systems, user-friendly dashboards for visualization and reporting, compliance with healthcare regulations like HIPAA, and scalability to handle large volumes of data.

How does UEBA support compliance and data protection in healthcare?

UEBA supports compliance and data protection in healthcare by providing insights into user access patterns, helping to enforce access controls and authentication policies, monitoring for unauthorized activities that could lead to data breaches, and generating audit trails and reports necessary for regulatory compliance audits under HIPAA and other healthcare standards.

Learn more: HIPAA Compliant Email: The Definitive Guide