October 19, 2023 at 08:13AM
Some security startups are building ecosystems around the open-source security agent osquery to reduce reliance on proprietary software and customize IT monitoring and security. Companies like Fleet, Wazuh, Kolide, Zentral, and Uptycs use or integrate with osquery to provide universal endpoint monitoring. The recent update by Fleet allows the agents to not only monitor but also manage systems and respond to incidents. The goal is to simplify and open up IT management and security operations.
Key Takeaways from Meeting Notes:
1. Security startups are building ecosystems around the open-source security agent osquery to reduce reliance on proprietary software and customize IT monitoring and security.
2. Endpoint management firm Fleet recently updated its osquery agent to allow for executing scripts on managed hosts, enabling system monitoring, management, and incident response.
3. Complexity in IT management and security operations is increasing due to the proliferation of separate agents for various purposes.
4. Companies are using osquery as a universal endpoint agent to consolidate agents and achieve a consistent interface for monitoring and management.
5. Other open-source tools like SysDig and OSSec have overlapping functionality with osquery but focus on different areas like containerized applications and host-based intrusion detection.
6. Various companies, including Wazuh, Kolide, Zentral, and Uptycs, are utilizing or integrating with osquery for security and endpoint management.
7. The differentiation among security and IT management vendors lies in how they operationalize the information provided by osquery rather than the basic functionality of endpoint instrumentation.
8. Companies are shifting from passive monitoring to active response, with the ability to execute scripts using osquery for managing endpoints, pushing patches, and enhancing security.
9. The goal is to improve visibility and enable companies to take action when detecting anomalies or threats, allowing for self-remediation and customized security measures.