MDR
Security operations | 2 min read
Vulnerability management, prioritization, and assessment: what’s the difference?Vulnerability management encompasses the vulnerability handling lifecycle. Vulnerability prioritization assigns a level of importance to vulnerabilities based on their potential impact.
Security operations | 4 min read
Expel rides a WaveExpel has been named a Leader in The Forrester Wave™: Managed Detection and Response, Q2 2023. Expel achieved the highest score in the Current Offering category at 4.6.
Security operations | 3 min read
Customer context: beware the homoglyphHomoglyph phishing attacks seek to trick defenders by using URLs with characters that look like valid ones, but aren’t (ạ instead of a). Automation is far more effective in detecting these attacks.
Security operations | 2 min read
Add context to supercharge your security decisions in Expel WorkbenchDefenders need so much information to make good security decisions in the SOC. Adding Context to Expel Workbench is one way to make faster and better decisions.
Expel insider | 3 min read
We’re definitely stronger together: top 3 takeaways from RSA Conference 2023Another RSA Conference is in the books. Take a look at what jumped out to us most from the event, and how we as defenders are all “Stronger Together.”
Security operations | 1 min read
Not the Jedi trials, but our free trial could help bring balance to the ForceThis May the Fourth, check out the free trial of Expel MDR for Cloud Infrastructure and learn how you can help bring balance to the Force.
Security operations | 3 min read
Companies with 250-1,000 employees suffer high security alert fatigueIT decision-makers in the UK say alert fatigue is disrupting workers’ private lives, driving burnout and staff turnover. Companies with 250-1,000 employees are being hit especially hard.
Security operations | 3 min read
Introducing Expel Vulnerability Prioritization: our new solution for helping identify the highest-risk vulnerabilitiesExpel Vulnerability Prioritization triages and investigates unresolved security issues to identify the vulnerabilities that are putting customers at the highest level of risk
Security operations | 3 min read
New UK cybersecurity report: top 5 findingsExpel’s new survey of UK IT decision makers reveals the primary concerns facing both security leaders and front-line workers.
Expel insider | 1 min read
#RSAC round 2: Expel heads back to MosconeExpel is headed back to RSA Conference as an exhibitor for the second time. Stop by our booth to meet the crew, snag some swag, and let us show you security that makes sense.
Security operations | 4 min read
An easier way to navigate our security operations platform, Expel WorkbenchOur security operations platform, Expel Workbench, got a makeover to make it easier for defenders to get what they need to protect their orgs even more quickly and intuitively.
Security operations | 2 min read
Security alert: 3CXDesktopApp supply chain attackA supply chain attack on the voice and video conference software, 3CXDesktopApp, has the potential to turn 3CX installers into malicious tools for attacks. Here’s what happened and what you can do.
Security operations | 2 min read
Which flavor of MDR is right for your org?Clear up your MDR confusion with the Gartner® Market Guide for Managed Detection and Response Services.
Security operations | 2 min read
How we spotted it: A Silicon Valley Bank phishing attemptWe’re starting to spot counterparty fraud attempts in the wake of SVB’s collapse. Learn how we spotted one attempt through a custom detection.
Security operations | 4 min read
The SOC organicMDR should be organic, which means integrating the best available automation tech with the experience and insight of analysts who’ve been there, done that, and understand what customers need.
Security operations | 2 min read
Security PSA: SVB collapse presents ripe opportunity for counterparty fraudFollowing the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and the resulting uncertainty, the opportunity for cyber fraud is massive. Here’s why it matters and what you can do now to protect your org.
Expel insider | 2 min read
How we built it: the Expel SOC-in-the-SkyCurious what it takes to convert a multi-purpose room on the top floor of a hotel into an around-the-clock SOC? Check out how (and why) we created a “SOC-in-the-Sky” for our recent company kickoff.
Security operations | 3 min read
Kubernetes security: what to look forIf your org does application development, Kubernetes is part of the future. What should you look for when building or shopping for a Kubernetes security platform? Here are a few suggestions.
Security operations | 3 min read
Why MDR for Kubernetes is great news for your orgThis post discusses how managed detection and response (MDR) for Kubernetes helps organizations relying on in-house application development.
Security operations | 2 min read
2023 Great eXpeltations report: top six findingsOur second annual Great eXpeltations report details the major trends our security operations center (SOC) team saw in customer environments last year. It also offers insights and advice to help you avoid these threats.
Tips | 2 min read
BEC and a “Visionary” scamThe lessons we learn in “real life” apply to the cyber world, and vice versa. You should take your sensitivity to the iffy product and service claims you encounter with you every day when you log in.
Security operations | 5 min read
Incident report: stolen AWS access keysHere we walk through what happens when attackers steal a set of AWS access keys. Recently, our SOC, threat hunting, and detection engineering teams collaborated on such an incident.
Security operations | 3 min read
Emerging Threat: CircleCI Security IncidentExpel is aware of CircleCI’s reported security incident and recommendation to rotate all credentials. Here’s what happened, why it matters, what we’re doing, and what you should do.
Engineering | 1 min read
So long, 2022! Our year in reviewTo mark the end of 2022 and the beginning of 2023, we’ve curated some of our favorite blog posts from the past 12 months.
Expel insider | 3 min read
5 cybersecurity predictions for 2023It’s that time of year when security folks gaze into the future and predict what’s on the horizon for 2023. Here’s what we think is up next for the cybersecurity industry in the new year.
Security operations | 3 min read
Expel Quarterly Threat Report Q3: Top 5 takeawaysOur third quarterly (Q3) threat report is here and it’s overflowing with cybersecurity data, trends, and recommendations to help you protect your organization. Here are our top five takeaways from Q3.
Security operations | 4 min read
Attacker-in-the-middle phishing: how attackers bypass MFAA new credential phishing tactic–called “attacker-in-the-middle”–can be effective at end-running MFA defenses. This analysis describes AitM and provides helpful advice for defending against it.
Security operations | 2 min read
Security alert: high-severity vulnerability affecting OpenSSL V3 and higherThe OpenSSL Project has identified two security vulnerabilities affecting OpenSSL v3.0 and later. Potentially affected users of versions 3.0.0-3.0.6 should upgrade to v3.0.7 as soon as it is reasonable to do so.
Security operations | 4 min read
Who ya gonna call (to make the most of your SIEM data)?Customers who import their SIEM to a tool like Workbench can translate all the hours invested in development into customized rules. In other cases, they may realize they no longer need a SIEM.
Security operations | 3 min read
Remediation should be automated—and customizedAutomated remediation offers tremendous benefits for the cybersecurity team. It’s ideally tailored to the specific organization and based on the frequency of threats seen in the environment.
Tips | 5 min read
An Expel guide to Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2022As proud Champions of Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2022, we’ve curated some Expel resources to help your organization improve its cybersecurity posture—this October, and beyond.
Security operations | 2 min read
Emerging Threats: Microsoft Exchange On-Prem Zero-DaysUntil a patch is issued for the Microsoft Exchange Server zero-day vulnerabilities, there are a few things security teams can do to temporarily mitigate risk. Here’s what we recommend.
Security operations | 12 min read
Detection and response in action: an end-to-end coverage storyThis dramatized case study illustrates how our MDR, phishing, and threat hunting services work, and most importantly, how they work together.
Security operations | 6 min read
Incident report: how a phishing campaign revealed BEC before exploitationBy the time the 89th phishing alert sounded, we knew a large-scale campaign had successfully hit a customer. This case walks you through what happened, what we did, and how it played out.
Security operations | 14 min read
MORE_EGGS and Some LinkedIn Resumé SpearphishingHow do you decide which tech to use to carry out your hunt? This post’s got some pro tips for when and how to use different technology for your threat hunting mission.
Expel insider | 3 min read
That’s a wrap! Top 3 takeaways from Black HatHacker Summer Camp (A.K.A Black Hat) felt especially energized this year, with more people, exhibitors, and fun. Read up on our takeaways from the show floor as first time exhibitors in Mandalay Bay.
Talent | 8 min read
A year in review: An honest look at a developer’s first 12 months at ExpelGet a peek behind the curtain as one of our senior software engineers reflects on his experience during his first year at Expel, from the interview process all the way to where he is now.
Security operations | 3 min read
Top 5 takeaways: Expel Quarterly Threat Report Q2Our second quarterly (Q2) threat report is here and its chock full of cybersecurity data, trends, and recommendations to help you protect your organization. Here are our top five takeaways from Q2.
Security operations | 2 min read
A defender’s MITRE ATT&CK cheat sheet for Google Cloud Platform (GCP)In this new handy guide, we mapped the patterns we’ve seen throughout our GCP incident investigations to the MITRE ATT&CK Framework to help give you a head start protecting your organization.
Security operations | 4 min read
How Expel’s Alert Similarity feature helps our customersWe process millions of alerts each day, and many look similar to one another. We asked ourselves: is it possible to teach our bots to compare similar “documents” and suggest or recommend a next step? (Spoiler alert: YES!)
Security operations | 2 min read
Emerging Threat: BEC Payroll Fraud AdvisoryOur SOC recently observed BEC attacks across multiple customer environments, targeting access to human capital management systems—specifically, Workday. The goal? Payroll and direct deposit fraud.
Security operations | 2 min read
Cutting Through the Noise: RIOT Enrichment Drives SOC ClarityCutting Through the Noise: RIOT Enrichment Drives SOC Clarity
Security operations | 5 min read
Detecting Coin Miners with Palo Alto Networks NGFWWith cryptojacking on the rise, we walk through why we’ve found Palo Alto Networks next-generation firewall is great at detecting it, and some actions we’ve integrated into our detection bot to help.
Expel insider | 3 min read
Top 3 takeaways from RSA Conference 2022It was four days of excitement as we made our exhibitor debut at #RSAC. Now that we’ve had time to reflect on this year’s conference, here are three of the big takeaways from our time at Moscone.
Expel insider | 3 min read
RSA Conference Day 3: Impressions From the Show FloorDay three of the conference was full of interesting conversations with long-time industry folks who are no stranger to RSA. Here are some of our favorite takeaways and observations.
Security operations | 3 min read
Incident report: Spotting an attacker in GCPIn this report, we walk you through how an attacker gained access to a customer’s GCP environment, our investigative process, and some key takeaways for securing your organization.
Expel insider | 2 min read
RSA Conference Day 2: Inclusivity is the GoalAnother day at RSA full of interesting speakers, lessons learned, and (of course) cool swag — but one session stood out to us the most. Here are some of our main takeaways from day two.
Expel insider | 3 min read
RSA Conference Returns: Day 1 Keynote SummaryThat’s a wrap on day one of #RSAC and we’re still reeling from excitement. From beatboxers to keynote speakers, here are some of our takeaways from the first day at Moscone.
Security operations | 4 min read
How Expel does remediationCurious how Expel does remediation? Learn how our process works, what you can expect from our analysts during an investigation and what we’re adding next on our remediation roadmap.
Threat Intelligence | 3 min read
Expel Quarterly Threat Report: Cybersecurity data, trends, and recs from Q1 2022Top takeaways from our first quarterly report, filled with patterns and trends we identified from Q1 2022. Our goal? Help translate the events we detect into a security strategy for your organization.
Expel insider | 2 min read
Meet us at Moscone… Expel makes its #RSAC debut!For the first time, Expel is headed to RSA Conference as an exhibitor! Stop by our booth to meet the crew, snag some swag, meet Josie and Ruxie, and let us show you that security can be delightful.
Expel insider | 2 min read
How to quantify security ROI… for realMeasuring cybersecurity ROI can feel like trying to nail Jello to a tree — frustrating and unproductive. Take some of the guesswork out of the equation with our new interactive ROI calculator.
Security operations | 6 min read
Incident report: From CLI to console, chasing an attacker in AWSOur SOC detected and stopped unauthorized access in one of our customer’s AWS environments. Here’s how we spotted it, the steps we took to understand what they did, lessons learned and key takeaways.
Security operations | 5 min read
Attack trend alert: Email scams targeting donations to UkraineAs more people look to donate to Ukrainian relief efforts, bad actors are taking advantage. Lookout for these phishing scams to ensure your donations are actually going to help those in need.
Security operations | 2 min read
Top 7 recs for responding to the Lapsus$ breach claimsWhile the situation surrounding the reported breach of Okta by Lapsus$ is still developing, here are our top 7 recommendations you can take to protect yourself and your org.
Security operations | 8 min read
Top Attack Vectors: February 2022This report dives into the top attack vectors and trends among the incidents our SOC investigated in February 2022. Learn our key recommendations to protect your org from these types of attacks.
Security operations | 5 min read
Evaluating MDR providers? Ask these questions about their onboarding processLooking for an MDR provider? Make sure you understand their onboarding process. Here are the questions you should ask when you’re evaluating MDRs. Bonus: learn how we do onboarding here at Expel.
Security operations | 6 min read
Top Attack Vectors: January 2022This report dives into the top attack vectors and trends among the incidents our SOC investigated in January 2022. Learn our key recommendations to protect your org from these types of attacks.
Tips | 3 min read
5 pro tips for detecting in AWSCloud-based infrastructures can be confusing, but sometimes building a better security program starts with the basics. Try these pro tips to help focus the lens for detecting threats in AWS.
Security operations | 4 min read
Attack trend alert: AWS-themed credential phishing techniqueThey’re at it again. This time attackers are phishing for credentials by sending fake AWS log-in pages to unsuspecting users. Find out how our crew identified and triaged a phishing email.
Expel insider | 2 min read
Great eXpeltations 2022: Cybersecurity trends and predictionsIntroducing Great eXpeltations 2022: Cybersecurity trends and predictions — an annual report from our security operations center (SOC) on top threats, how to handle them, and what to expect this year.
Security operations | 7 min read
Top Attack Vectors: December 2021This report dives into the top attack vectors and trends among the incidents our SOC investigated in December 2021. Learn our key recommendations to protect your org from these types of attacks.
Engineering | 5 min read
Threat hunting: Build or buy?Not sure if you should build your own hunting capability or get a hunting partner? Check out this post to discover your options and the things you should consider (yes, we break down cost for you).
Security operations | 4 min read
What’s hunting and is it worth it?Heard about hunting but are unclear on whether it’s something you should invest in? You’re not alone. Find out what it is and the value it brings to your org’s detection and response capabilities.
Security operations | 7 min read
Top Attack Vectors: November 2021This report dives into the top attack vectors and trends among the incidents our SOC investigated in November 2021. Learn our key recommendations to protect your org from these types of attacks.
Security operations | 9 min read
The Grinchy email scams to watch out for this holiday seasonAs the holidays approach, cyber Grinches are targeting phishing campaigns to steal data, credentials and more. Look out for these email scams while online shopping and checking your inbox this season.
Expel insider | 4 min read
More good news in still unusual timesWe’ve reached a valuation over $1 billion thanks to our Series E fundraising round, led by CapitalG. Check out what our founders have to say about this exciting news and what’s next for Expel.
Security operations | 6 min read
Top Attack Vectors: October 2021This report dives into the top attack vectors and trends among the incidents our SOC investigated in October 2021. Learn our key recommendations to protect your org from these types of attacks.
Security operations | 5 min read
Top Attack Vectors: September 2021This report dives into the top attack vectors and trends among the incidents our SOC investigated in September 2021. Learn our key recommendations to protect your org from these types of attacks.
Security operations | 4 min read
How we use VMRay to support Expel for PhishingHow does Expel tackle phishing? Smart people and great tech. Learn how VMRay helps our analysts triage and analyze potentially malicious emails submitted by our managed phishing service customers.
Security operations | 5 min read
Top Attack Vectors: August 2021This report dives into the top attack vectors and trends among the incidents our SOC investigated in August 2021. Learn our key recommendations to protect your org from these types of attacks.
Security operations | 5 min read
The top phishing keywords in the last 10k+ malicious emails we investigatedCurious how attackers are prompting victims to engage with phishing campaigns? Check out the top keywords from the malicious emails our SOC investigated and our top resilience recommendations.
Security operations | 6 min read
Swimming past 2FA, part 2: How to investigate Okta compromiseFirst we showed you how to spot an Okta compromise in this two-part blog series. Now we’ll walk you through our investigation and share five tips on how you can strengthen your security defense.
Security operations | 5 min read
Top Attack Vectors: July 2021This report dives into the top attack vectors and trends among the incidents our SOC investigated in July 2021. Learn our key recommendations to protect your org from these types of attacks.
Security operations | 6 min read
How Expel goes detection sprinting in Google CloudBuilding detections in Google Cloud Platform (GCP) but not sure where to start? Time to get strategic. Our detection and response engineers demystify the process for building detections in the cloud.
Security operations | 9 min read
Well that escalated quickly: How a red team went from domain user to kernel memoryA red team recently swooped in and showed off some new tactics. What started as a PowerShell download cradle quickly turned into a custom rootkit download. Find out how we spotted the crafty red team.
Security operations | 4 min read
How should my MDR provider support my compliance goals?Need to ensure your tech, privacy and security policies are compliant? Find out what compliance means in practice and how your MDR provider can support your compliance program, not become a liability.
Security operations | 4 min read
Swimming past 2FA, part 1: How to spot an Okta MITM phishing attackCrafty attackers are finding new ways to bypass multiple-factor authentication. Find out how our SOC detected an attack and get some tips on how your org can prevent credentials phishing.
Security operations | 3 min read
Kaseya supply chain attack: What you need to knowA new ransomware attack upheaved the beginning of Fourth of July weekend. Fortunately, there are steps you can take right now to stay safe. Find out what’s happening and how Expel is looking ahead.
Security operations | 4 min read
Someone in your industry got hit with ransomware. What now?We’re noticing a trend in ransomware attacks. But that doesn’t mean it’s time to go into panic mode. Find out what you need to know and get some tips on how you can keep your org safe.
Security operations | 8 min read
How to measure SOC qualityYou can scale your SOC and improve quality. Seems impossible? Not if you know how and what to measure. The crew that helped build Expel’s SOC explain how they pulled it off – and how you can too.
Security operations | 7 min read
Cloud attack trends: What you need to know and how to stay resilientWe shared the top attack trend spotted during the pandemic and what to keep an eye out for looking ahead. But how do you remediate and stay resilient against these attacks? Our crew shares some tips.
Security operations | 6 min read
Performance metrics, part 3: Success storiesOur team shares some success stories in creating efficiency and reducing analyst burnout. They end this three-part series with a gift from our SOC – a downloadable resource to measure performance.
Security operations | 3 min read
Expel Hunting: Now in the cloudWe’ve added something new to Expel Hunting: cloud hunts. Find out how our crew’s newly developed hunting techniques can help you spot visibility gaps in your cloud (and give you some peace of mind).
Security operations
The top cybersecurity attack trend we saw emerge during the COVID-19 pandemicCheck out our newest infographic to learn about the top attack trend during the COVID-19 pandemic, how our SOC’s data reinforces these recent findings and how you should be looking ahead.
Security operations | 1 min read
How does your approach to AWS security stack up?Take our short quiz to find out how your approach to AWS security compares to similar orgs. Based on your responses, we’ll also share some resources to help you level up your AWS security game.
Engineering | 11 min read
Migrating to GKE: Preemptible nodes and making space for the Chaos MonkeysFind out how Expel’s internal teams collaborated to migrate our core infrastructure from a legacy environment to GCP, with no downtime (while also making sure they were prepared for a little chaos).
Expel insider | 1 min read
Wow, they really like usExpel is recognized as a leader in The Forrester Wave™: Managed Detection And Response, Q1 2021 report. And our CEO – along with the whole Expletive crew – are pretty excited about it.
Engineering | 6 min read
5 best practices to get to production readiness with Hashicorp Vault in KubernetesFlying blind when it comes to running Hashicorp Vault in Kubernetes? We’ve got you covered. Accelerate your path to production without compromising on security with these tips and best practices.
Tips | 6 min read
How to create (and share) good cybersecurity metricsEstablishing metrics is vital. But how do you report progress and have a conversation about what you’re seeing? Are you even looking at the right things? Here are some tips on measuring cybersecurity.
Engineering | 8 min read
Containerizing key pipeline with zero downtimeMigrating to Kubernetes as Expel’s core engineering platform with zero downtime – and without interfering with our analysts’ workflow – is a tall order. But our engineers pulled it off. Find out how.
Security operations | 3 min read
Attack trend alert: REvil ransomwareExpel’s SOC spotted a new trend in REvil campaigns and they’re sounding the alarm. Find out what’s new about this type of attack, how our analysts spotted it and what you can do to protect your org.
Engineering | 12 min read
Behind the scenes: Building Azure integrations for ASC alertsFind out how Expel’s internal teams built an integration on top of Azure signal – creating a new detection strategy for ASC that provides more context around alerts and improves customer visibility.
Expel insider | 3 min read
Introducing Expel Workbench™ for Amazon Web Services (AWS)We’re excited to announce the launch of our first SaaS product! It automates the investigation of AWS alerts and logs – allowing your team to spend less time finding and fixing security issues.
Security operations | 1 min read
Got workloads in Microsoft Azure? Read thisGot Microsoft Azure? Running Microsoft products in your org? Then you might want to get a free copy of our all-new Azure guidebook.
Engineering | 7 min read
Plotting booby traps like in Home Alone: Our approach to detection writingFind out how Expel’s D&R engineers think about detection writing, and how this process helps our SOC analysts make smart decisions and gain a deeper understanding of our customers’ environments.
Threat Intelligence | 6 min read
Supply chain attack prevention: 3 things to do nowWhat do you do when you can’t trust the internet? Supply chain attacks like the SolarWinds Orion breach are not new. Here are some things you can do to help prepare and guard against similar attacks.
Security operations | 8 min read
Improving the phishing triage process: Keeping our analysts (and our customers) saneHere’s how Expel created a phishing triage process that keeps our analysts’ heads above water while also ensuring that a trained pair of eyes is on every email submitted by our customers.
Security operations | 3 min read
The SolarWinds Orion breach: 6 ideas on what to do next and whyHere are some of our early observations on the SolarWinds Orion breach, plus our ideas on what to do next to detect related activity and better protect your org.
Security operations | 8 min read
How to investigate like an Expel analyst: The Expel Workbench managed alert processEver wonder about how Expel’s analysts investigate alerts? Our SOC team created a workflow called the Expel Workbench managed alert process. Read on to find out how it works and how it can help you.
Security operations | 6 min read
Evilginx-ing into the cloud: How we detected a red team attack in AWSRed team sneak attack? Bring it on. Find out how we tackled a red team attack using open source offensive security tools in AWS and what you can do to protect your org from similar attacks.
Security operations | 4 min read
The CISO in 2020 (and beyond): A chat with Bruce PotterIt’s impossible to sum up a year that felt like 1000 in a single blog post. But we did gather some topline takeaways on security trends and the evolving role of the CISO from Expel’s Bruce Potter.
Security operations | 2 min read
Introducing a mind map for AWS investigationsWe’ve been doing a lot of investigations in AWS using CloudTrail logs and have been noticing some interesting things along the way. So we created an AWS mind map for our team (and you). Check it out!
Engineering | 2 min read
Announcing Open Source python client (pyexclient) for Expel WorkbenchWe’re open sourcing a python client in the Expel Workbench! This labor of love will allow our customers to take advantage of our APIs. Find out what the release of the pyexclient project includes.
Security operations | 9 min read
Performance metrics, part 2: Keeping things under controlIn this second post in our three-part series on all things metrics and SOC leadership, our team dives into details of what metrics and techniques are used to protect the SOC against volatility.
Expel insider | 2 min read
Introducing Expel for phishingExpel just introduced a new offering: Expel for Phishing! Lost in a sea of phishing emails? Find out how our product goes beyond automated triage and helps our customers come up for air.
Security operations | 8 min read
Why don’t you integrate with [foo]?You’ve heard that Expel integrates with your tech. But not YOUR tech. What gives? Well, sometimes it doesn’t always make sense. Expel’s COO explains why and what this means when working with us.
Security operations | 10 min read
Performance metrics, part 1: Measuring SOC efficiencyHow do you establish metrics for SOC efficiency? This first post in a three-part series shares our team’s approach to setting SOC goals, creating a strategy and measuring success.
Tips | 9 min read
3 steps to figuring out where a SIEM belongs in your security programHow can a SIEM help you address your business needs? Do you even need a SIEM? Here are some tips to help you make a decision that works best for you.
Security operations | 5 min read
Managed detection and response (MDR): symptom or solution?An uncommonly clear review of what managed detection and response (MDR) is, where it came from and what it can/can't do for you.