Darktrace - Detailed Review
Networking Tools
Darktrace - Product Overview
Darktrace is a leading company in the field of AI-driven cybersecurity, specializing in protecting organizations from various cyber threats. Here’s a brief overview of their products and key features:
Primary Function
Darktrace’s primary function is to provide real-time threat detection and response using artificial intelligence. Their technology mimics the human immune system to identify and mitigate cyber threats autonomously, without relying on pre-existing knowledge of specific threats.Target Audience
Darktrace’s solutions are designed for a wide range of organizations, including large enterprises, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), government agencies, financial institutions, healthcare organizations, technology companies, retailers, and critical infrastructure providers.Key Features
AI-Driven Cybersecurity
Darktrace uses a multi-layered AI approach, incorporating unsupervised machine learning, Bayesian probabilistic methods, generative and applied AI, and deep-neural networks to continuously learn and understand the digital environment of an organization. This allows it to detect both known and novel threats in real time.Cyber AI Loop
Their Cyber AI Loop consists of four stages: PREVENT, DETECT, RESPOND, and HEAL. PREVENT identifies and monitors digital assets to detect risks and vulnerabilities. DETECT uses anomaly detection, threat emulation, and behavioral analysis to identify unusual activity. RESPOND is an autonomous system that can disarm threats within seconds. HEAL is focused on post-incident recovery.Network Security
Darktrace / NETWORK provides complete coverage for modern networks, offering visibility across on-prem, virtual, cloud, and hybrid networks, including remote worker endpoints, OT devices, and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA). It continuously analyzes connections, devices, and attack paths for unusual behavior, eliminating alert fatigue with precision threat detection.Autonomous Response
Darktrace’s Antigena solution can autonomously respond to and neutralize threats in real time, based on the context of the environment. This response is fully customizable and can integrate with existing security investments through an open API architecture.Self-Learning AI
Their Self-Learning AI technology learns what is normal behavior for an organization’s network and intelligently detects any activity that could cause business disruption. This AI continually tunes itself to improve detection accuracy and reduce false positives.Comprehensive Integration
Darktrace solutions integrate seamlessly with existing IT infrastructure, including email, network, cloud applications, endpoint devices, and Operational Technology (OT). This ensures comprehensive insight into cyber threats across the entire digital ecosystem. By leveraging these advanced AI-driven capabilities, Darktrace provides a proactive and adaptive defense mechanism that enhances the overall security posture of its clients. Darktrace - User Interface and Experience
User-Friendly Interface
Minimized Logins
The ideal user interface, as envisioned by Darktrace, is one that minimizes the need for frequent logins. The system is designed to automate many tasks previously handled by humans, allowing teams to visit their tools less often. This is achieved through Darktrace’s precision detection and response technology, which takes action on threats without disrupting daily operations.Real-Time Insights
The dashboard provides immediate and comprehensive insights into user and email activities. It offers a real-time snapshot of active user identities, targeted users, and actioned emails, segmented by the type of attack. This allows security teams to quickly access key information at both a high and granular level.Optimized Workflows
Darktrace reduces friction with optimized workflows. Security teams can quickly identify VIPs, safely preview links and attachments, and get the information they need without switching between windows or dealing with inaccessible interfaces. The system also provides natural-language summaries of individual emails or the overall health of the email environment through Explainable AI.Accessibility
The interface is highly accessible, with a mobile app that makes all main functions available for on-the-go analysis. This ensures security teams can monitor and respond to critical incidents from anywhere, at any time, without needing to return to their desks.Integration and Context
Darktrace/Email integrates seamlessly with Darktrace’s Cyber AI Analyst, which conducts autonomous enterprise-wide investigations. This integration allows security teams to see malicious email activity in the context of the full security incident, providing a clearer picture of how a threat originated and spread across the organization.Employee Engagement
To empower employees in security, Darktrace/Email uses Explainable AI to provide insights in natural language, delivered directly to employees through contextual banners in emails, periodic digests, or within Outlook. This transforms security education into a real-time awareness exercise, engaging employees more actively in security efforts.Ease of Use for New Analysts
The latest version of Darktrace’s cyber defense platform, v3, focuses on ease of use for new security analysts. It is designed to reduce the learning curve and make it easier for new team members to get started with the platform.Customizable and Automated
The system is highly customizable, allowing security teams to personalize security policies for different employees. For example, VIPs can receive unique notifications, and extra precautions can be taken for employees in sensitive roles like accounting. Automated incident investigations and response actions further simplify the process, reducing the need for manual intervention. Overall, Darktrace’s user interface is designed to be intuitive, accessible, and highly automated, ensuring that security teams can manage and respond to threats efficiently and effectively. Darktrace - Key Features and Functionality
Darktrace’s AI-Driven Networking Tools
Darktrace’s AI-driven networking tools offer several key features that enhance cybersecurity through advanced AI technologies. Here are the main features and how they work:
Self-Learning AI
Darktrace’s core technology is based on Self-Learning AI, which learns from the unique data of each organization rather than relying on pre-trained models or threat intelligence. This AI analyzes every connection, device, identity, and attack path to identify unusual behavior, including decrypted and encrypted traffic analysis. This approach allows it to detect subtle deviations that signal novel threats, even those that traditional security tools might miss.
Network Detection & Response (NDR)
Darktrace’s NDR solution provides a complete framework for prevention, detection, and response to both known and unknown threats across the entire network. Unlike other NDR vendors that process data in the cloud, Darktrace brings its AI directly to the organization’s data, preserving privacy and delivering customized security outcomes. This includes full visibility across on-prem, virtual, cloud, and hybrid networks, as well as remote worker endpoints, OT devices, and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA).
Cyber AI Analyst
The Cyber AI Analyst is a unique feature that combines the capabilities of human analysts with AI. It operates like an experienced human analyst, autonomously forming hypotheses and reaching conclusions. This tool reduces triage time by an average of 92% by investigating suspicious network activity without relying on threat intelligence or signatures. It tracks connections and events across the network, endpoints, cloud, identities, OT, email, and remote devices to detect modern threats.
Threat Visualization
Darktrace’s Threat Visualizer provides an interactive and intuitive graphic interface that helps cybersecurity teams visualize and investigate network activity. This tool color-codes connections and data flows, making it easier to identify and analyze potential threats. It works in conjunction with the Cyber AI Analyst to review data and help teams understand what happened and how to prevent future incidents.
Autonomous Response
The Autonomous Response feature, powered by Darktrace’s Antigena, takes targeted action to contain and disarm in-progress attacks in real-time. This AI calculates the best response based on the context of the environment, ensuring minimal disruption to business operations. Actions can be taken natively or via integrations with existing security investments, thanks to Darktrace’s open API architecture.
Real-Time Monitoring and Intervention
Darktrace provides real-time monitoring across all aspects of the network, including cloud, email, and operational technologies. This continuous monitoring allows for immediate intervention when suspicious activity is detected. The AI continually tunes itself to improve detection accuracy, reducing alert fatigue and the need for manual tuning.
Integration and Customizability
Darktrace’s AI solutions are highly customizable and integrate seamlessly with existing security tools. The open API architecture ensures that targeted response actions can be taken without complex or costly development. This flexibility allows organizations to align their AI investments with their specific security goals and needs.
These features collectively enhance the security posture of an organization by providing advanced threat detection, real-time response, and continuous learning from the organization’s unique data environment.
Darktrace - Performance and Accuracy
Performance
Darktrace’s Self-Learning AI is a significant differentiator in its performance. Here are some highlights:Real-Time Monitoring and Response
Darktrace continuously monitors network activity in real-time, detecting and responding to both known and unknown threats without relying on signatures, rules, or threat intelligence. This allows for rapid action against threats, often before they can cause significant damage.Comprehensive Coverage
The system provides full visibility across various network environments, including on-prem, virtual, cloud, and hybrid networks, as well as remote worker endpoints, OT devices, and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA).Automated Investigations
Darktrace’s Cyber AI Analyst automates the investigation process, reducing triage time by an average of 92%. This cognitive automation helps in identifying previously unseen threats without relying on historical data or signatures.Accuracy
The accuracy of Darktrace’s AI is enhanced by several features:Self-Learning AI
The AI learns what is normal behavior for an organization’s network, allowing it to detect deviations from this norm. This approach helps in identifying subtle anomalies that might signal a threat, including novel and zero-day attacks.Reduction in False Positives
By continuously learning and improving detection methods, Darktrace reduces the number of false positives, ensuring that legitimate threats are not overlooked. This is a significant improvement over traditional NDR solutions that often generate a high volume of false alarms.High Detection Accuracy
In one instance, Darktrace increased threat detection accuracy by 90% in a customer environment, highlighting its effectiveness in real-world scenarios.Limitations and Areas for Improvement
While Darktrace offers advanced capabilities, there are some limitations and areas where improvements could be made:Unseen Patterns
If the AI model hasn’t been trained on a specific pattern, it can miss it. This means that while Darktrace is highly effective, it is not foolproof against entirely new types of threats it has not encountered before.Co-mingled Benign Data
The presence of co-mingled benign or legitimate data (such as syslog and network traffic) can cause problems in the efficacy and accuracy of the AI’s performance. This highlights the importance of data quality and segregation.Testing and Validation
Like most AI systems, testing and validation are crucial to ensuring accurate outcomes. Continuous monitoring and validation of the AI’s performance are necessary to maintain its effectiveness. In summary, Darktrace’s AI-driven NDR solution offers significant advantages in terms of real-time monitoring, comprehensive coverage, and high accuracy. However, it is not immune to the challenges of detecting entirely new patterns or dealing with mixed data sets, which require ongoing testing and validation. Darktrace - Pricing and Plans
The Pricing Structure of Darktrace
The pricing structure of Darktrace, a leading AI-driven cybersecurity solution, is somewhat varied and dependent on several factors, including the size of the customer, the specific features required, and the licensing model chosen.
Licensing Fees
- The cost of Darktrace can range widely, from around $15,000 to $265,000 per year, with an average annual cost of approximately $55,385.
- For smaller accounts, the cost can be more manageable, but for large installations, it can be quite expensive, with some users reporting yearly costs as high as $350,000.
Features and Plans
- Darktrace does not publicly list specific tiers or plans on their website. However, the solution is generally licensed per device or node that it connects to, and there may be additional licensing fees for certain services.
- The Darktrace ActiveAI Security Platform™ offers comprehensive protection across network, cloud, endpoint, identity, and operational technology, all built on Darktrace’s unique AI engine.
Flexibility in Pricing
- Darktrace offers flexible pricing models, including monthly payments, which can make the solution more accessible to customers with varying budgets.
- The company is open to negotiations, and discounts can be obtained, especially for larger or long-term commitments.
Free Options
- There is no permanent free version of Darktrace, but potential customers can opt for a free 30-day trial. This trial provides full access to the Darktrace Threat Visualizer and includes three bespoke Threat Reports, with no obligation to purchase.
- Additionally, Darktrace offers a 60-minute personalized demo where you can see the product in action and learn about its capabilities.
Additional Costs
- There are generally no additional costs beyond the licensing fees, although specific implementations might include other expenses such as government taxes, as seen in the case of a bank in Sri Lanka.
Summary
In summary, while Darktrace does not offer a simple, tiered pricing structure, it provides flexible licensing options and a free trial to help potential customers assess the value of the solution before committing to a purchase.
Darktrace - Integration and Compatibility
Integration with Security Tools and Platforms
Darktrace integrates seamlessly with a wide range of security tools and platforms. For instance, it can integrate with Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems like QRadar, Azure Sentinel, and InsightIDR, allowing for the analysis and correlation of Darktrace AI Analyst incidents and model breach alerts within these platforms.Cloud and Virtual Environments
Darktrace supports cloud-based environments, including AWS, GCP, and Azure. It can detect and respond to cloud-based threats across various services such as EC2, EKS, and monitor administrative and resource management activities. Additionally, Darktrace’s vSensor technology extends visibility into virtual environments, capturing traffic between virtual devices and sending it to the master Darktrace appliance.Network and Firewall Integrations
Darktrace integrates with several network and firewall solutions, such as Palo Alto Networks NGFW, Check Point NGFW, Cisco ASA, FortiGate Firewall, and Cisco Meraki Firewall. These integrations enable the extension of Darktrace’s autonomous response capabilities to these firewalls, enhancing threat response and mitigation.VPN and User Tracking
It also integrates with VPN solutions like Cisco AnyConnect VPN, Netscaler VPN, and FortiGate SSL VPN to enrich user and device tracking. This helps in monitoring and securing VPN connections more effectively.Endpoint and Application Security
Darktrace can integrate with endpoint security tools such as Crowdstrike Falcon, enhancing its AI decision-making with alerts from these platforms. It also integrates with application security solutions like Egnyte and Netskope to detect unusual user activities and threats.Identity and Access Management (IAM)
Integrations with IAM solutions like Okta and Duo enable Darktrace to detect and respond to threats across the organization, leveraging IAM data for more accurate threat detection and response.Custom and Automated Responses
Darktrace supports custom playbooks through integrations with Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) tools like Cortex XSOAR, InsightConnect, and FortiSOAR. These playbooks automate actions triggered by Darktrace alerts, allowing for more efficient incident response.Compatibility with Various Devices
Darktrace can deploy end-user agents, known as C-Sensors, to capture network telemetry from devices that cannot be monitored through core network traffic. Additionally, it can deploy virtual Sensors (vSensors) in virtual machine environments, ensuring comprehensive coverage across both physical and virtual devices.Conclusion
In summary, Darktrace’s open architecture makes it highly versatile and compatible with a broad range of security tools, cloud services, network devices, and endpoint solutions. This extensive integration capability allows organizations to leverage Darktrace’s AI-driven security insights across their entire infrastructure. Darktrace - Customer Support and Resources
Darktrace Customer Support Overview
Darktrace offers a comprehensive range of customer support options and additional resources to ensure users of their AI-driven networking tools receive the assistance they need.Standard Support Services
Darktrace provides several standard support services to all its customers. These include:Helpdesk
Available through email, online ticketing, or phone support. Customers can raise support tickets and manage them through the Customer Portal.Software Updates
Regular updates to ensure the software remains current and secure.Hardware Support
Assistance for any hardware-related issues.Health Checks and System Diagnostics
These services help maintain the health and performance of the system, requiring the “Call Home” feature to be active.Support Response Times and Availability
Response Time
Darktrace has a 4-hour response SLA for support requests.Phone Support
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.Onsite Support
Available at an extra cost.Additional Support Service Options
Customers can choose from various additional support service options, which may be specified in their Product Order Form:Ask the Expert
This option allows customers to request assistance on live threat investigations from the Darktrace UI or via the Customer Portal. It requires the “Call Home” feature to be active for analytical investigations.24/7 Proactive Threat Notification
Darktrace will automatically alert the customer’s named operators when a significant and high-impact alert anomaly is detected. This also requires the “Call Home” feature.Customer Portal
The Customer Portal is a central resource where customers can raise and manage support tickets, access support guides, and find telephone hotline support numbers. The portal is available in English and requires customers to have an account and pass authentication checks.Remote Assistance and Diagnostics
Darktrace may initiate remote diagnostics using electronic remote support tools to facilitate problem resolution. This helps in correcting verifiable and reproducible errors reported by the customer.Integration and Compatibility
Darktrace integrates with various other security tools and platforms, such as Cortex XSOAR, Crowdstrike Falcon, FortiSOAR, and QRadar, among others. These integrations allow for enhanced threat detection, response, and automation of security actions across different parts of the digital ecosystem, including network, cloud, endpoint, and operational technology (OT).Managed Detection and Response
Darktrace offers managed detection and response services where expert SOC analysts monitor the Darktrace environment 24/7 to detect, triage, investigate, and escalate response actions for high-priority alerts. This service helps free up the customer’s security team to focus on proactive security measures and reducing cyber risk. By providing these comprehensive support options and resources, Darktrace ensures that its customers have the necessary tools and assistance to effectively manage and respond to cyber threats. Darktrace - Pros and Cons
Advantages
Wide Coverage
Darktrace provides comprehensive security across various environments, including networks, endpoints, cloud platforms, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. This ensures that all aspects of your organization’s digital ecosystem are protected.
Self-Learning AI
The platform uses self-learning AI that continuously adapts to your organization’s normal behavior, allowing it to detect and respond to both known and unknown threats with high accuracy.
Autonomous Response
Darktrace can autonomously respond to threats in real time, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing the risk of human error. This includes containing and disarming threats based on the context of the environment.
Advanced Insights and Visualization
The tool offers detailed dashboards and reports that help in visualizing and analyzing threats, making it easier to identify and manage risks. It also includes features like cross-stack attack path modeling and AI risk assessments.
Proactive Network Resilience
Darktrace goes beyond traditional Network Detection and Response (NDR) solutions by helping to reduce alert fatigue and allowing security teams to focus on proactive security measures. It includes features like incident readiness, recovery, and managed detection and response.
Disadvantages
Higher Cost
One of the significant drawbacks of Darktrace is its premium pricing, which can be a barrier for smaller organizations or those with limited budgets.
Complex Setup
The product requires expert configuration, which can be time-consuming and may necessitate the hiring of qualified specialists. This complexity can make it challenging to set up and manage effectively.
Risk of False Positives and Negatives
There is a risk that Darktrace’s AI might learn existing malicious behavior as benign, leading to false positives and negatives. This can result in unnecessary workload and wasted investigations.
Integration Issues
Darktrace may not integrate seamlessly with other security solutions in your stack, potentially creating management headaches. It often relies on sending syslogs to SIEMs or integrating with its own products, which can add to the overall management burden.
Initial Baseline Period
Darktrace requires a two-week baselining period before it can effectively detect threats, which can be a disadvantage compared to other solutions that start detecting threats immediately.
By considering these points, you can make an informed decision about whether Darktrace aligns with your organization’s specific security needs and capabilities.
Darktrace - Comparison with Competitors
Market Share and Competitors
Darktrace faces significant competition in the network security market. The top competitors include Cloudflare, which dominates with a 96.13% market share, followed by Hornetsecurity Spamfilter with 0.64%, and OneLogin with 0.54%.Unique Features of Darktrace
Darktrace is known for its AI-driven approach to network security, focusing on anomaly detection to identify potential threats. It learns the normal behavior of a network and flags deviations, which can indicate malicious activity. This approach is particularly useful for detecting unknown threats and insider attacks.Alternatives and Their Unique Features
Vectra AI
Vectra AI is a strong alternative to Darktrace, offering several distinct advantages:- Alert Fidelity: Vectra AI reduces alert noise by 80% or more, focusing on critical attacks rather than anomalies.
- Innovation: Vectra invests more in R&D compared to Darktrace, leading to more innovative features.
- Support: Vectra provides 24x7x365 support and managed extended detection and response (MXDR) services, which can offload the responsibility of stopping attacks from becoming breaches.
Muninn NDR
Muninn NDR is another alternative that stands out for:- Real-Time Threat Blocking: Muninn offers real-time threat blocking and network hardening.
- Scalability and Affordability: It is particularly suited for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), providing a reliable and user-friendly NDR solution.
- Network Visibility: Muninn can see, analyze, and store all network activity without the need for rules, pattern detection, or decryption.
ExtraHop
ExtraHop is a cloud-native NDR solution that offers:- 360-Degree Visibility: It provides comprehensive visibility for detecting and responding to threats.
- Integration: ExtraHop integrates well with existing security tools, enhancing overall network security.
Bastazo and Other Competitors
Other competitors include Bastazo, which focuses on cybersecurity for operational technology, and Stellar Cyber, which offers a comprehensive security platform. These alternatives cater to different specific needs, such as protecting operational technology or providing a broader security suite.Customer Base and Geographical Distribution
Darktrace’s customer base is diverse, with a significant presence in the United States (44.93%), the United Kingdom (24.15%), and France (5.96%). The majority of its customers are companies with 1,000-4,999 employees.Conclusion
When choosing between Darktrace and its competitors, it’s crucial to consider the specific needs of your organization. If you prioritize reduced alert noise and strong support, Vectra AI might be the better choice. For SMEs looking for an affordable and scalable solution, Muninn NDR could be ideal. ExtraHop’s cloud-native approach and comprehensive visibility make it another viable option. Each alternative offers unique features that can better align with your network security requirements. Darktrace - Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about Darktrace, along with detailed responses to each:
What is Darktrace?
Darktrace is a suite of AI-powered tools that deploy machine learning models to identify and tackle cyber attacks in real-time. It operates by learning the normal behavior of a network and detecting any anomalies that could indicate a threat.
How does Darktrace detect threats?
Darktrace uses a multi-layered AI approach, including unsupervised machine learning, Bayesian probabilistic methods, generative and applied AI, and deep-neural networks. This allows it to learn what is normal behavior for your entire network and detect any activity that could cause business disruption without relying on signatures, rules, or threat intelligence.
Where can I deploy Darktrace?
Darktrace can be deployed across various environments, including networks, cloud applications, endpoint devices, Operational Technology (OT), and email systems. It offers both SaaS and on-premises deployment options, providing flexibility based on your organization’s needs.
What data can Darktrace ingest?
Darktrace can ingest a wide range of data from different sources within your digital ecosystem, including network traffic, cloud applications, endpoint devices, and OT environments. This comprehensive data ingestion allows it to build a detailed picture of normal activity and identify anomalies.
Can Darktrace support and interact with virtualized environments and cloud services?
Yes, Darktrace can support and interact with virtualized environments and cloud services. It is designed to secure hybrid or multi-cloud environments in real-time, adapting to the unique needs of each environment.
How does Darktrace respond to threats?
Darktrace has an autonomous response capability through its Antigena module. This module can take targeted actions to neutralize threats in real-time without disrupting business operations. It can investigate suspicious network activity, relate isolated connections to broader incidents, and alert the security team.
What are the key benefits of using Darktrace?
The key benefits include automated investigation, triage, and reporting of security incidents; continuous investigation of 100% of detected threats; generation of detailed, natural-language incident reports; prioritization of security events; and seamless integration with third-party alerts. Additionally, Darktrace reduces the time to triage threats by 92%.
Can Darktrace derive value from encrypted network traffic?
Yes, Darktrace can derive value from encrypted network traffic. It uses advanced AI techniques to analyze network behavior and detect anomalies, even in encrypted traffic, to identify potential threats.
How does Darktrace monitor specific SaaS apps for detection and response?
Darktrace monitors specific SaaS apps by integrating with these services and learning their normal behavior. It then detects any anomalies that could indicate a threat, providing real-time threat detection and autonomous response capabilities.
What kind of anomalies does Darktrace detect?
Darktrace detects a wide range of anomalies, including beaconing, SMB scanning, downloading suspicious files, and other behaviors that deviate from the established baseline of normal activity. It is effective against evolving cyber threats like ransomware, insider attacks, and zero-day vulnerabilities.
How does Darktrace integrate with other security tools?
Darktrace integrates seamlessly with third-party security tools and alerts. It works alongside existing security technologies such as Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) to contain known and previously unseen network threats, ensuring comprehensive security coverage.