Radware Linkers share the first customizations they apply to maximize security tool effectiveness.
Few security tools are deployed without some level of customization. That was the clear consensus from a Linkers’ community discussion:
“What’s the first thing you always customize in your security tools?”
From adjusting thresholds to enhancing visibility, security professionals shared the small but essential changes that help tailor tools to their environments and workflows.
Here's what stood out:
1. Default Alert Thresholds: The Most Common First Move
One of the most frequently cited adjustments was tuning alert thresholds.
Default configurations often produce excessive or insufficient alerts, making them unreliable in real-world conditions.
Pankaj Kaushik (UK Broadband, Security Operations Engineer):
“Most tools are either too chatty or too quiet. I fine-tune thresholds based on asset criticality and known noise sources—lowering them for high-risk areas and raising them for routine, low-risk events.”
Daniel Cheung (Asianet Technologies, Technical Engineer):
“Customizing alert thresholds helps minimize false positives, so the security team can focus on real threats.”
These fine-tuned thresholds reduce alert fatigue and help focus attention on what matters most.
2. Logging and Dashboards: Visibility First
Another major theme was improving visibility from day one.
Security professionals emphasized adjusting logging levels and personalizing dashboards to streamline monitoring and accelerate response.
Dustin Ngo (Viet Net, System Engineer):
“I always change the logging level to get more detailed info—super helpful for troubleshooting later.”
Juie Thomas (Sify Technologies, Assistant Manager - Cloud):
“I added a custom widget that shows the top 10 source IPs by alert count. It gives me an instant pulse on suspicious sources.”
Many others described building custom dashboard views and enhancing logs to match their operational needs.
3. Locking Down Defaults: Security Starts with the Basics
Even in 2025, changing default credentials, disabling guest accounts, and configuring access controls remain essential first steps. Security professionals know that skipping these basics can leave tools unnecessarily exposed and vulnerable.
Others expanded on this by mentioning:
- Enforcing role-based access controls (RBAC)
- Disabling unused ports or services
- Reviewing access policies immediately after deployment
Final Takeaway: Tools Are Only Powerful When They’re Yours
These initial adjustments—whether tuning thresholds or tightening access—play a critical role in ensuring a security tool actually works for your environment.
They also demonstrate a deeper truth: real security effectiveness begins with ownership and customization.
If you haven’t tried tweaking your alert thresholds, customizing your dashboard, or reviewing your logging levels, now’s a great time to start. The insights shared here are easy to apply and can significantly improve tool performance.
These seemingly small steps are the building blocks of smarter, stronger security operations.