Host-based monitoring capabilities collect vast amounts of data on information system usage and end-user behavior. This data aids in all phases of incident handling, including detection, response, forensics, mitigation, and prevention. Host data also serves a critical role in establishing activity baselines to understand normal behavior and identify abnormal or unexpected events. Metrics derived from host-based monitoring can inform insider threat risk models and illuminate concerning precursors before an undesirable escalation of events occurs. In this paper, we (1) review and define standard host-based monitoring capabilities, (2) identify related insider threat indicators that can be measured using host-based data sources and describe a vendor-neutral implementation approach, and (3) discuss the state of the art of host-based monitoring for insider risk measurement and associated challenges.
Publisher Statement
This material is based upon work funded and supported by the Department of Defense under Contract No. FA8702-15-D-0002 with Carnegie Mellon University for the operation of the Software Engineering Institute, a federally funded research and development center. The view, opinions, and/or findings contained in this material are those of the author(s) and should not be construed as an official Government position, policy, or decision, unless designated by other documentation. References herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by Carnegie Mellon University or its Software Engineering Institute.
This report was prepared for the SEI Administrative Agent AFLCMC/AZS 5 Eglin Street Hanscom AFB, MA 01731-2100.
NO WARRANTY. THIS CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY AND SOFTWARE ENGINEERING INSTITUTE MATERIAL IS FURNISHED ON AN "AS-IS" BASIS. CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY MAKES NO WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, AS TO ANY MATTER INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR PURPOSE OR MERCHANTABILITY, EXCLUSIVITY, OR RESULTS OBTAINED FROM USE OF THE MATERIAL. CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY DOES NOT MAKE ANY WARRANTY OF ANY KIND WITH RESPECT TO FREEDOM FROM PATENT, TRADEMARK, OR COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT.
[DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A] This material has been approved for public release and unlimited distribution. Please see Copyright notice for non-US Government use and distribution.Date
2021-02-15Copyright Statement
Copyright 2021 Carnegie Mellon University.