Playbook Messaging Flow for User-Guided Incident Response
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing IT and security operations applications lack efficient mechanisms for real-time user interaction and flexible response execution in incident handling, leading to suboptimal incident response efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An IT and security operations application that enables users to create playbooks with external prompt blocks, allowing for user input via various communication methods and secure authentication, thereby influencing playbook execution based on user responses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If automated security workflows are implemented without real-time user interaction, then automation extent is improved, but incident response flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The playbook execution system dynamically adapts between fully automated mode and user-interaction mode based on incident requirements. External prompt blocks enable the system to pause execution and request user input when flexibility is needed, while continuing automated execution when efficiency is prioritized, making the automation level dynamic rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback loops where user responses to external prompts are received and used to influence continued playbook execution. This feedback mechanism allows human operators to provide guidance or override automated decisions when necessary, balancing automation with human judgment.
2Ease of operation
If multiple communication methods are integrated for user prompts, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The external prompt block is designed as a universal interface that can deliver prompts through multiple communication channels (email, SMS, messaging applications, etc.). This multi-functionality allows the same playbook execution system to operate across diverse communication platforms without requiring separate systems for each channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The external prompt block acts as an intermediary layer between the playbook execution system and various communication channels. This mediator abstracts the complexity of multiple communication protocols from the core automation logic, simplifying integration while maintaining ease of operation.
3Measurement precision
If user input is required during playbook execution, then incident response accuracy is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically determines when user input is necessary versus when automated execution suffices. By using external prompt blocks selectively rather than requiring user input for every step, the system maintains accuracy for critical decisions while preserving speed for routine operations, optimizing the balance between precision and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring complete user involvement in every playbook execution, the system applies partial automation where user input is requested only for specific critical steps via external prompts. This partial action approach maintains necessary accuracy while avoiding the productivity loss that would result from requiring user input for all operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are systems and methods for creating and executing playbooks to automate security and Information Technology (IT) workflows. In one embodiment, an IT and security operations application initiates execution of a playbook. The playbook includes multiple function blocks, where the function blocks collectively define a series of operations to be performed responsive to identification of an incident in an IT environment. Each function block includes computer program source code that is executed upon encountering the function block during execution of the playbook. A first function block of the multiple function block causes the IT and security operations application to send a message seeking a user input via a prompt from one or more recipients. The IT and security operations application receives the user input via the prompt and continues the execution of the playbook. The continued execution of the playbook is affected based on the user input.