CLEAR stands for Closed-Loop Email Analysis and Response in cyber security.
Understanding CLEAR in Cybersecurity
In the landscape of digital threats, phishing attempts remain a significant risk. While technical defenses like firewalls and email filters block many attacks, sophisticated phishing emails can sometimes bypass these perimeter defenses. This is where systems like CLEAR become crucial.
CLEAR, or Closed-Loop Email Analysis and Response, leverages the vigilance of an organization's employees. As the reference states, "A security-conscious employee can be your last line of defense against a cyber attack — especially when a phishing attempt slips past your perimeter defenses."
The "closed-loop" aspect signifies a process where an employee identifies a suspicious email, reports it, and the security team analyzes it and takes action, potentially providing feedback or confirming resolution back to the employee. This creates a continuous cycle of detection, analysis, and response, enhancing the overall security posture.
How CLEAR Works (Conceptual Flow)
- Employee Detection: An employee receives an email that looks suspicious (e.g., unusual sender, strange request, generic greeting).
- Employee Reporting: The employee uses a dedicated tool or button (often integrated into email clients) to report the email to the security team.
- Security Analysis: The security team receives the reported email and analyzes it to determine if it is malicious (e.g., phishing, malware).
- Security Response: Based on the analysis, the security team takes appropriate action, such as:
- Blocking the sender/IP address.
- Removing the malicious email from other users' inboxes.
- Issuing an alert to the entire organization.
- Updating security filters.
- Loop Closure (Optional but Recommended): The security team may inform the reporting employee about the outcome or action taken, reinforcing positive security behavior.
Key Components of a CLEAR System
A functional CLEAR system typically includes several integrated parts:
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Reporting Tool | Easy-to-use mechanism for employees to flag suspicious emails. |
| Analysis Platform | System for security analysts to examine reported emails for threats. |
| Response Engine | Tools to automate or facilitate actions like blocking, removal, or alerting. |
| Reporting Backend | Central system to manage reports, analysis results, and actions. |
Why is CLEAR Important?
- Empowers Employees: Turns employees from potential victims into active participants in defense.
- Catches Missed Threats: Detects sophisticated phishing emails that evade automated filters.
- Provides Threat Intelligence: Reported emails offer valuable insights into current attack methods targeting the organization.
- Improves Security Awareness: Encourages employees to think critically about the emails they receive.
- Reduces Response Time: Enables quicker identification and mitigation of threats spreading internally.
Implementing a CLEAR process strengthens an organization's defense-in-depth strategy by adding a critical human layer to email security.
