Digital transformation, cloud computing, and a sophisticated threat landscape are forcing everyone to rethink the functions of each role on their security teams, from Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) to practitioners.
In defence of large teams
High performing security teams understand their individual roles, but also see themselves as a larger team working together to defend against adversaries (see Figure 1). The following functions represent a fully populated enterprise security team, which may be aspirational for some organizations. Organizations often need to prioritize where to invest first based on their risk profile, available resources, and needs.
Security threat intelligence provides context and actionable insights on active attacks and potential threats to empower organizational leaders and security teams to make better (data-driven) decisions. Threat intelligence usually grows from a technical scope into servicing the larger organization with strategic, tactical, and operational (technical) threat intelligence. Read more about the threat intelligence function.
Posture management builds on existing functions like vulnerability management and focuses on continuously monitoring and improving the security posture of the organization. Posture management is typically one of the largest changes because it supports decisions in many other functions using information that only recently became available because of the heavy instrumentation of cloud technology. This function includes zero-trust based access controls, real-time risk scoring, threat and vulnerability management, and threat modeling, among others. Read more about the posture management function.
The primary objective for the incident preparation function is to build process maturity and muscle memory for responding to major incidents throughout the organization, including security teams, executive leadership, and many others outside of security. These practice exercises have become powerful tools to ensure stakeholders are informed and familiar with their role in a major security incident. Read more about the incident preparation function.
Such kleptoparasitism (parasitism by theft) makes perfect sense from an energy conserving point of view. The nutritional gain provided by a carcass can be obtained without any risk of being injured during a hunt or the energy expenditure involved in a chase. Of course, the act of stealing a carcass from a hungry lion is not without its risks, and individuals can be killed in the attempt. But more often the species with the larger numbers in their ranks will prevail.
For some reason though, we tend to ignore the hunting skills of hyenas, while admiring the efforts of their rivals. We marvel at the power of a leopard dragging its prey up a tree, at the speed of a cheetah coursing a gazelle, and the team work of lions as they pursue large and dangerous animals. Yet we fail to notice that hyenas are just as impressive and efficient hunters.
Living in female dominated clans, hyenas are also one of the most social of all carnivores. Cubs are reared communally (although females only suckle their own offspring) with the group providing safety in numbers, improved vigilance of adults, and an effective defence of territory and food.
What to know: If you're playing the Packers, know this: They're not exactly putting teams away. It took them all day -- and a stop on a 2-point conversion with 14 seconds left -- to do it against Tampa Bay, in large part because they didn't score in the second half. Sure, it was against a stout defense (which had allowed only 13 points combined in the first two weeks). But this is a troubling trend for Aaron Rodgers & Co., who managed just a field goal in the second half in last week's win against the Bears.
What to know: For one drive on Sunday, the Rams' offense showed a glimpse of what it could look like if it could consistently run the ball. Cam Akers, who finished with 61 yards on 12 carries, was largely unused in the first half; after scoring a touchdown late in the third quarter, he fumbled on the Arizona 1. Los Angeles got off to a quick start with wide receiver Cooper Kupp but otherwise struggled to move the ball for most of the game.
Do the Chiefs have reason to worry about their special teams? Probably not. But the situation bears watching after Skyy Moore had a rough day as a punt returner and Matt Ammendola missed a field goal and an extra-point kick in Indianapolis. The Chiefs knew Moore, a rookie who didn't return punts in college, may have a learning curve. His judgment should improve as he gets more experience. The kicking situation will also get a boost when Harrison Butker returns from his ankle injury. The Chiefs may have a new kicker next week to replace Ammendola if Butker isn't yet ready to return. -- Adam Teicher
What to know: Washington wanted to build a dominant offensive line. But the Commanders have failed, and as a result, Carson Wentz was sacked nine times Sunday. The loss goes beyond just the line, but the impact on Wentz was severe. He lacks the ability to escape, so if he holds the ball, there's trouble. On quick routes, he rushed his throws -- a result of previous pressures. Washington also lacks a power run game to give it another option. To beat quality teams, the Commanders will need more than just good receivers.
While we are at the point of the season where the rankings stay largely consistent week to week, we do have teams that made the biggest jump up and down the list. The Los Angeles Chargers made a move up seven spots from last week after a win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday night. And the biggest drop? The Las Vegas Raiders slid five spots after giving up two late touchdowns in a loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday.
In addition to our updated rankings, we checked in with NFL Nation reporters across the league and asked them to evaluate every team's offense, defense and special teams by their Football Power Index (FPI) efficiency rankings, powered by ESPN Analytics. Team efficiencies are based on the point contributions of each unit to the team's scoring margin, on a per-play basis. Who has the best and worst units in every aspect of football?
It's been a special year for the Eagles on both sides of the ball. The offense has set a team record for rushing touchdowns in a season with 27, and Jalen Hurts ranks first in quarterback rating (108.4) and fourth in completion rate (68%) to pace the air attack. The defense is tops against the pass (178.7 yards per game) and takeaways (24). It's been an adventure on special teams, but even that unit seems pointed in the right direction. -- Tim McManus
The Chiefs rank second in scoring at 29.5 points per game. And their defensive ranking is based largely on the strength of the pass rush, which has generated 42 sacks. But opponents still have a QBR against the Chiefs of 57, third highest in the league. Kansas City's special teams are usually outstanding, but not this season: They've fumbled three punts, and their field goal rate of 77.8% is the fourth worst. -- Adam Teicher
The Bills remain one of the best teams despite some hiccups. Ranking in the top three on offense is a bit misleading given some of the issues the unit has had in the past month, but the Bills are third in scoring, averaging 26.3 points per game. The defense has struggled to get off the field at times, which is reflected in its efficiency, but it has allowed the second-fewest points per game (17). The special teams unit has been the most consistent group for Buffalo this year, with kicker Tyler Bass making a career-high 89.7% of field goals, which is especially significant after punter/holder Sam Martin joined just before the season. -- Alaina Getzenberg
The Cowboys are one of three teams to rank inside the top 10 in all three categories, so that means they're pretty good. But the fact that the offense is seventh after Dak Prescott missed five games with a fractured thumb is telling. The Cowboys managed their way through Prescott's absence with Cooper Rush, and they have largely excelled since Prescott's return. Thank the running game with Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard, who have combined for 1,610 yards. Thank the red zone offense (20 touchdowns in 28 trips since Prescott's return). Thank the third-down offense (51-of-89 since Prescott's return). But Prescott has to watch the interceptions, with eight since his return. -- Todd Archer
The 49ers' defense would probably be No. 1 here were it not for a poor performance against the Chiefs, but it does still lead the league in many traditional categories. The offense has been on a decided upward trajectory since acquiring running back Christian McCaffrey, as San Francisco has averaged 28.7 points per game since McCaffrey took on a full-time role in Week 8, up eight points from before he arrived. Perhaps most encouraging is a special teams unit that had some struggles early in the season but is rounding into form with returner Ray-Ray McCloud III -- who now ranks in the top eight in kick and punt return average for the season -- leading the way. -- Nick Wagoner
The defense would rank lower here if it weren't for eight interceptions after the start of the fourth quarter, tied for most in the NFL. Those takeaways have prevented teams from finishing drives that could have changed the outcome of games. In its past five contests, the defense has allowed an average of 30.4 points per game and 460.6 yards, the worst in the league. Offensively, coach Kevin O'Connell has boosted wide receiver Justin Jefferson to the top of the league's production charts. Overall, though, the Vikings have produced the NFL's fourth-most negative plays (76). Special teams has been the Vikings' most consistent unit and could produce multiple Pro Bowl invitations. -- Kevin Seifert
The Dolphins' defense has picked up since adding linebacker Bradley Chubb at the trade deadline, but Miami can't overcome below-average defensive play. The Dolphins' offense has not carried its weight over the past two weeks, coinciding with the team's two-game skid. A squad that had scored 30 points in four straight games has now failed to crack 20 in its past two. Meanwhile, the Fins are among the worst teams in the league at returning and defending returns. Miami lost its fastball over the past two games, but it can hang with, or beat, any team in the NFL if it regains that offensive punch. -- Marcel Louis-Jacques 2ff7e9595c
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