User behavior analytics (UBA)

User behavior analytics (UBA) is a cybersecurity process that uses advanced analytics to detect anomalous user behavior within an organization's IT environment. For cloud security engineers, UBA provides a powerful tool for identifying potential security threats, particularly insider threats and compromised accounts in cloud environments.

UBA systems typically collect and analyze user activity data from various sources, including cloud services, applications, and network devices. They establish baselines of normal behavior for users and entities, then use machine learning and statistical analysis to identify deviations from these norms. UBA can detect a wide range of suspicious activities, such as unusual access patterns, data exfiltration attempts, or signs of compromised credentials.

In cloud environments, UBA plays a crucial role in addressing the security challenges posed by the dynamic and distributed nature of cloud resources. It can help detect threats that might bypass traditional security measures, such as a legitimate user's credentials being used for malicious purposes. UBA solutions often integrate with other security tools like SIEM and CASB to provide a more comprehensive security posture. By implementing UBA, cloud security engineers can enhance their ability to detect and respond to insider threats, account compromise, and other user-centric security risks in their cloud ecosystems.