By Jason Stein
Vice President of Cybersecurity, Telarus
Cybersecurity has come a long way in recent years, with organizations deploying a wide range of new defenses to protect against emerging threats. Yet for many companies, the human element remains a glaring weakness. In fact, 95% of all breaches are still caused by user-driven errors 🡥, credential misuse, and insider threats.
In light of this, companies are increasingly looking for new and effective ways to protect employees and limit lateral movement. A new era of cybersecurity is emerging, built around user and entity behavior analytics (UEBA) and other complementary technologies—and there’s a growing need for technology advisors to provide guidance and support.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at UEBA and related tools, and how they can be used to prevent unauthorized activity.
What Is UEBA and Why Does It Matter?
UEBA involves identifying and analyzing patterns in user and device activity that could potentially indicate malicious behavior or emerging threats. Today there are numerous UEBA platforms and point solutions available, from leading providers like Agile Blue, ECI, Trustwave, Microsoft, Fortinet, Exabeam, and others.
Unlike legacy rule-based tools, which often miss subtle or sophisticated attacks, UEBA systems leverage advanced machine learning and behavioral modeling to detect unusual activity in real-time and across multiple accounts.
Why UEBA is a Game-Changer for Cybersecurity
Simply put, UEBA enables organizations to detect and respond to threats that would otherwise bypass standard security measures—quickly, intelligently, and at scale. When integrated into a wider security portfolio, UEBA can help teams overcome resource constraints and provide always-on, behavior aware protection.
Here are some common threats that UEBA can help protect against:
- Impossible travel: UEBA can detect when a user attempts to log in from two distant locations within an unrealistically short time frame.
For example, a team member might try to log in from California and then appear to be in China two seconds later. With UEBA in place, the company could automatically flag this as a malicious login and restrict access. - Suspicious requests: UEBA is also capable of detecting unusual access patterns such as attempts to access confidential resources at odd hours or from unfamiliar locations. These insights help security teams rapidly shut down insider threats, phishing attacks, and compromised devices.
Picture a senior engineer trying to access high-value resources late at night from an unfamiliar IP address. At first, it might seem harmless—until UEBA observes that this activity deviates from the user’s behavior pattern. Instead of waiting for confirmation of a breach, the system alerts the team and prevents further access. - Privilege escalation: UEBA can also determine when a user attempts to access systems or data beyond their authorized permission level. This is a common tactic with insider threats and account compromise.
For instance, if an IT technician tries to access an admin console or restricted files without proper clearance, UEBA will recognize the escalation, flag it as suspicious, and block the attempt.
Looking Beyond UEBA: Building an Ecosystem of Trust
UEBA plays a critical role in the broader mission of protecting employees within a zero-trust—or least privilege access—framework.
For cybersecurity teams, the challenge now lies in striking a balance between safeguarding vulnerable users and maintaining efficient, uninterrupted workflows. To achieve this, organizations often invest in complementary identity, access, and security solutions that extend the value of UEBA.
Here are some pivotal solutions that, together, form a robust defense architecture.
1. Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
SIEM platforms collect and correlate log data for instant visibility into security events. They generate alerts, support investigations, and help identify patterns that indicate risk.
Many SIEM platforms integrate UEBA to enhance threat detection and response. While UEBA aims to flag unusual behavior, SIEM delivers the context security teams need to act quickly.
2. Privileged Access Management (PAM)
PAM solutions focus on controlling access for accounts that have elevated or privileged permissions, such as system administrators. These accounts are critical and often targeted by attackers because of the sensitive data or systems they can reach.
Implementing PAM ensures that access to these accounts is restricted, monitored, and automatically revoked, as necessary. For example, granular session management ensures that no one accesses sensitive infrastructure without passing through multiple layers of authentication and authorization.
3. Identity and Access Management (IAM)
IAM encompasses policies and technologies to ensure the right individuals in an organization have access to the tools they need—no more, no less. IAM solutions allow companies to manage digital identities, grant specific permissions, and secure access to corporate resources.
In 2025, IAM is foundational to securing hybrid and remote work environments. It standardizes access policies for employees and contractors alike, ensuring that access doesn’t create vulnerabilities.
4. Password Management Tools
Passwords remain common in security systems, but poor password hygiene is a leading cause of breaches as many employees use the same weak password to log into their computer, CRM, and the finance folder to make their lives easier. Password management tools ensure employees use strong, unique passwords by securely generating, storing, and auto-filling credentials.
By centralizing credentials within an encrypted vault, password management tools reduce weak links and ease the burden on employees—enabling better compliance with security policies.
5. Passwordless Identity and Access Management
As we aim to reduce vulnerabilities associated with passwords, passwordless IAM emerges as a transformative strategy. This approach enables employees to log in using biometric scans or facial recognition, and then studies their behavior like keystroke patterns, how they position and use their mouse, and what applications they go to.
Passwordless IAM not only enhances the user experience but also reduces risks associated with credential theft. It ensures that identity verification relies on unique characteristics instead of memorized passwords.
6. Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)
ZTNA operates under the philosophy of “never trust, always verify.” Access to resources is strictly conditional on real-time authentication and contextual validation.
Unlike traditional VPNs, which offer broad access, ZTNA enforces least-privilege policies for every user and endpoint. This restricts employees and outsiders alike, preventing lateral movement across the network. ZTNA is particularly effective for organizations which leverage third-party organizations to assist with daily workflows.
The Bottom Line: The Human Element is a Core Cybersecurity Component
In a world where cyber threats evolve faster than ever, UEBA stands as a powerful catalyst for change—shifting security from reactive defense to proactive intelligence. It’s no longer enough to lock the doors; we must understand who’s moving inside the house and why. By embracing UEBA and its complementary technologies, organizations don’t just protect data—they protect people, purpose, and progress.
Want to learn more about how to protect the human element with emerging technologies like UEBA? Reach out to your Telarus Partner Development Manager or schedule a new advisor meeting here.