Leveraging effective detection and response capabilities in a zero-trust environment

As cyber threats grow more sophisticated, proactive, behavior-based defense measures and timely responses are indispensable for maintaining resilient systems. In a new podcast interview for CyberScoop, Threatlocker Co-Founder and CEO Danny Jenkins shed light on the evolving landscape of detection and response in a zero-trust environment and the importance of embracing advanced behavioral analysis.

“The idea of an EDR platform or endpoint detection response platform in general is to look at behaviors in the environment, not just at a file level,” says Jenkins. “Good files can be used for malicious purposes. Behavioral analysis monitors events, such as unauthorized IP scans or unusual program usage, and alerts accordingly.”

Jenkins highlighted the similarities between detection and response and zero-trust principles, stressing that zero trust minimizes the risk of malicious software running in an environment. “Instead of reacting to an event after the fact, zero trust [enforcement] denies unauthorized access upfront,” he says. “This approach significantly reduces alerts, making detection and response a backup to a robust security foundation.”

In addition, Jenkins underscored the need for IT leaders to integrate dynamic threat intelligence into their operations. “Threat intelligence feeds should automatically update to reflect the latest tactics outlined in frameworks like MITRE ATT&CK,” he says. However, he also cautioned that understanding an organization’s unique environment is crucial. “If a CFO suddenly accesses thousands of files in an hour, that’s a red flag that requires immediate scrutiny,” says Jenkins.

Continuous monitoring and incident response also remain essential within zero-trust frameworks. “Detection and response act as a safeguard for human error,” says Jenkins. “Even with the best protections, mistakes happen. That’s why 24/7 monitoring is vital. Ignoring alerts, even over a weekend, can lead to devastating breaches.”

When building a security operations center (SOC), Jenkins advised government organizations to assess their capacity. “For larger agencies, an in-house SOC may be feasible, but smaller teams should consider external managed detection and response (MDR) services,” he says.

Jenkins also added that organizations still need to look at key metrics and indicators to measure the effectiveness of their detection and response efforts. “Your average response time is incredibly important,” he says. “So, if your MDR or SOC takes 10 or 15 minutes to reply to an alert, then it’s not going to be effective.”

Listen to the entire podcast conversation here. Learn how ThreatLocker helps government agencies protect their credibility and sensitive data.