Expel
Expel is a managed security services provider (MSSP) that offers continuous security detection and response (SCD&R). Leveraging technology and human expertise, Expel identifies, investigates, and remediates cyber threats across an organization's IT environment to simplify security operations.
Tumisang Bogwasi
Tumisang Bogwasi
What is Expel?
Expel is a managed security services provider (MSSP) that focuses on delivering continuous security detection and response (SCD&R) capabilities to organizations. It leverages a combination of technology and human expertise to identify, investigate, and remediate cyber threats across an organization’s IT environment. The company aims to simplify complex security operations for its clients, allowing them to focus on their core business functions.
The core of Expel’s offering is its ability to ingest telemetry from various security tools and IT infrastructure, such as endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions, network security devices, cloud environments, and identity providers. This aggregated data is then analyzed by Expel’s security operations center (SOC) analysts using proprietary technology and workflows. This integrated approach is designed to reduce the noise of false positives and highlight genuine security incidents.
Expel’s service model is characterized by its transparent reporting and direct integration with customer security teams. Rather than simply providing alerts, Expel actively works to investigate and recommend or take remediation actions. This proactive stance is intended to shorten the time to detect and respond to threats, thereby minimizing potential damage and operational disruption.
Definition
Expel is a cybersecurity company that provides managed security services, specifically focusing on continuous security detection and response (SCD&R) through a blend of technology and human analysis to identify and mitigate cyber threats.
Key Takeaways
- Expel offers managed security services focused on continuous threat detection and response.
- It integrates telemetry from diverse security tools and IT infrastructure for comprehensive analysis.
- Expel combines proprietary technology with human security analysts to reduce alert fatigue and improve threat identification.
- The service aims to shorten the time to detect and respond to cyber threats, minimizing business impact.
- Transparency and direct collaboration with customer security teams are key components of Expel’s service model.
Understanding Expel
Expel positions itself as a modern alternative to traditional Security Operations Centers (SOCs) and Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs). The company’s platform is designed to ingest and normalize vast amounts of security data from a client’s existing security stack. This data is then monitored 24/7 by a dedicated team of security professionals who utilize advanced analytics and threat intelligence to identify suspicious activities and potential breaches.
Unlike some traditional MSSPs that may simply forward alerts, Expel emphasizes active investigation and response. When a potential threat is identified, Expel’s analysts conduct thorough investigations, providing detailed context and actionable recommendations to the client. In many cases, Expel can also take direct remediation actions, depending on the client’s defined security policies and service level agreements. This high degree of engagement is intended to provide a more effective and efficient security posture.
The company’s technology stack is built around an open architecture that integrates with a wide range of security technologies. This allows clients to leverage their existing investments while benefiting from Expel’s managed services. The focus on transparency means that clients have visibility into the data being analyzed, the threats being investigated, and the actions being taken by Expel.
Real-World Example
Consider a mid-sized e-commerce company that has invested in various security tools, including an endpoint detection and response (EDR) solution, a firewall, and cloud security monitoring for its AWS environment. However, the company lacks the internal resources and expertise to staff a 24/7 SOC and effectively manage the overwhelming volume of alerts generated by these tools.
The e-commerce company decides to partner with Expel. Expel integrates with the company’s existing EDR, firewall logs, and AWS security logs. Expel’s platform continuously ingests this telemetry. One evening, Expel’s analysts detect unusual login activity from a user account, followed by attempts to access sensitive customer data and exfiltrate it to an external IP address, which is flagged by their threat intelligence feeds.
Expel’s analysts immediately investigate. They confirm the activity is malicious, identifying the compromised credentials and the method of exfiltration. They alert the e-commerce company’s IT security team, providing them with a detailed incident report including the evidence. Based on the agreed-upon remediation playbooks, Expel also automatically isolates the affected endpoint, revokes the compromised user’s session, and blocks the external IP address associated with the exfiltration attempt. This swift, coordinated response prevents significant data loss and reputational damage.
Importance in Business or Economics
In today’s threat landscape, businesses of all sizes are targets for cyberattacks. The complexity and sophistication of these attacks continue to increase, making it challenging for organizations to maintain adequate security defenses with in-house resources alone. Expel’s services are important because they provide access to advanced security expertise and 24/7 monitoring that might otherwise be prohibitively expensive or difficult to procure.
By effectively detecting and responding to threats quickly, Expel helps businesses minimize the financial and operational impact of cyber incidents. This includes reducing the costs associated with data breaches, system downtime, regulatory fines, and reputational damage. Furthermore, by offloading the burden of day-to-day security operations, Expel allows businesses to allocate their internal resources to strategic initiatives and core competencies, fostering innovation and growth.
The economic impact is also seen in enabling businesses to operate with greater confidence in the digital realm. This confidence is crucial for digital transformation, cloud adoption, and the use of sensitive data, all of which are essential for modern economic activity. A strong security posture, facilitated by services like Expel’s, underpins the trust required for digital commerce and operations.
Types or Variations
While Expel primarily offers a unified managed detection and response (MDR) service, its approach can be seen as having variations based on the specific needs and existing security stack of a client. These variations are not necessarily distinct product lines but rather customizations and integrations tailored to client environments:
- Cloud-Native Security: Tailored services for organizations heavily invested in cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, focusing on cloud-specific threats and configurations.
- Endpoint and Network Focus: For clients prioritizing detection and response at the endpoint and network layers, integrating deeply with EDR and network security tools.
- Identity-Centric Security: Specializing in monitoring and responding to threats related to user identities, authentication systems, and access management.
- Hybrid Environment Support: Services designed for companies with a mix of on-premises infrastructure and cloud deployments, ensuring comprehensive coverage across disparate environments.
Related Terms
- Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP)
- Security Operations Center (SOC)
- Managed Detection and Response (MDR)
- Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)
- Cybersecurity Incident Response
- Threat Intelligence
- Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR)
Sources and Further Reading
Quick Reference
Expel is a cybersecurity company providing managed detection and response (MDR) services by analyzing data from a client’s existing security tools to detect, investigate, and respond to cyber threats 24/7.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Expel’s core service offering?
Expel’s core service is continuous security detection and response (SCD&R), often referred to as Managed Detection and Response (MDR). It involves 24/7 monitoring, threat detection, investigation, and response leveraging both technology and human analysts.
How does Expel differ from traditional MSSPs?
Expel differentiates itself by focusing on high-fidelity alerts, reducing alert fatigue through advanced analytics and expert human investigation, and providing more transparent reporting and direct engagement with client security teams. They emphasize active response and remediation rather than just alert forwarding.
What kind of security tools does Expel integrate with?
Expel integrates with a wide array of security technologies, including EDR solutions (like CrowdStrike, SentinelOne), network security tools (firewalls, IDS/IPS), cloud security platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), identity providers (Okta, Azure AD), and various logging sources, to create a comprehensive view of an organization’s security posture.
