Enhanced Cybersecurity Monitoring and Compliance with PowerStrux™Suite of Tools

In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity monitoring, ensuring the integrity and security of classified information systems is paramount. The NIST 800-53 Rev 5 AU-2 controls underscore the importance of regular, thorough audits of event logs to detect any signs of unauthorized access or suspicious activity. Traditionally, this process has been both labor-intensive and prone to oversight, with the manual review of logs through tools like Microsoft’s Event Viewer presenting a significant challenge to information system security officers (ISSO) and managers (ISSM).

However, the advent of SecureStrux’s PowerStrux™ Suite of Tools heralds a new era in cybersecurity monitoring and compliance. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how to simplify compliance, enhance overall security, and gain a strategic advantage with our latest suite of tools.

Simplifying Cybersecurity Monitoring and Compliance

The NIST 800-53 Rev 5 AU-2 controls require a crucial element to a classified information systems security. On a weekly basis, ISSO/ISSMs must pull and review event logs from their system to identify if there has been any suspicious activity.
These audit events can include:

• password changes
• failed logons
• failed accesses related to information systems
• administrative privilege usage
• PIV credential usage
• third-party credential usage

Historically, this has been done through Microsoft’s event viewer, which can be a tedious process often resulting in missed events and tired eyes glancing over the logs.

PowerStrux™ stands out by directly addressing the complexities and inefficiencies of  cybersecurity monitoring associated with traditional event log analysis. It revolutionizes the way ISSOs and ISSMs fulfill the AU-2 requirements by categorizing audit logs into intuitive dashboards. This innovative approach not only streamlines the review process but also significantly reduces the likelihood of overlooking critical security events.

Key Features of PowerStrux™ for Cybersecurity Monitoring

Our newest version of PowerStrux™ gathers events into their own specific dashboards that include the following tabs and features:

• User and Group Management Events – Tracks changes in user statuses and group memberships, providing clear visibility into the dynamics of access and control within the system.
• Authentication Events – Monitors attempts to access the system, highlighting both successful entries and failed attempts, thus offering insights into potential unauthorized access attempts.
• Security Relevant File and Object Events – Keeps a tab on interactions with objects that have security implications, ensuring that any unauthorized modifications are promptly identified.
• Use of Privileged and Special Rights Events – Scrutinizes the activities carried out with administrative privileges, ensuring that these powerful capabilities are not misused or exploited.

The PowerStrux™ Advantage

Designed with precision to aid in efficient, repeatable, and simplified system audits, PowerStrux™ turns the tedious task of log analysis into a manageable, straightforward process. By automatically gathering and categorizing event logs into dedicated dashboards, it not only aligns with the AU-2 requirements but goes a step further to enhance the overall security posture of organizations.

The inclusion of specific dashboards for various audit events, ensures that security personnel have immediate access to the most relevant information. This capability is pivotal in quickly identifying standard operational events from those posing a security risk, thereby enabling a faster and more effective response to potential threats.

Empowering Organizations to Lead in Cybersecurity Monitoring

SecureStrux’s PowerStrux™ Suite of Tools embodies our commitment to providing advanced, user-friendly cybersecurity monitoring solutions that meet and exceed industry standards. By simplifying the complex process of audit log review and compliance with AU-2 requirements, we empower ISSOs and ISSMs to focus more on strategic security initiatives rather than getting bogged down by manual processes.

Having a tool that provides clarity, efficiency, and compliance is invaluable. PowerStrux™ is not just a tool; it’s a strategic advantage in the ongoing battle to protect classified information systems against unauthorized access and cyber threats. Embrace the future of cybersecurity with PowerStrux™ Suite of Tools—where security meets simplicity.