What is dwell time in cybersecurity?

Did you know that many cyberattacks go undetected for weeks or even months? It's not that companies don't have security systems in place, but rather that attackers know how to move around without making a sound. During that time, they steal information, open new entry points, and prepare to cause as much damage as possible... without anyone noticing.

This “hidden time” has a name: “dwell time,” and understanding it can mean the difference between a controlled scare and a costly crisis. If you own a business, work with technology, or are simply concerned about digital security, this concept is more relevant to you than you might think.

What is dwell time in cybersecurity?

Dwell time is the period from when an attacker manages to enter a network or system until someone detects them. It is, literally, the time that a cybercriminal can move freely without anyone noticing.

And while it may not sound so alarming at first, every minute an attacker remains inside represents an opportunity to do damage: steal confidential information, access critical systems, spread malware, or simply lay the groundwork for a larger attack.

What's worrying is that, in many cases, criminals aren't there for hours... but for weeks or even months. Although the average time has dropped slightly in recent years, it's still too high to be comfortable. When it comes to cybersecurity, every second counts.

Why is dwell time so important in cybersecurity?

Because the longer it takes to detect an intrusion, the more power you give the attacker. It's not just about “seeing if they steal something,” but understanding that there is much more at stake.

During that time, a cybercriminal can:

1. Steal sensitive data, such as financial information, customer data, intellectual property, or passwords.

2. Move around your network and compromise more systems without you noticing.

3. Escalate privileges, i.e., gain more access and control over critical areas.

4. Install malware or backdoors, allowing them to return whenever they want.

5. Damage systems and files, affecting your business operations.

And this is no exaggeration. Many companies discover they have been attacked when it is too late, and the damage, both financial and reputational, is very difficult (and costly) to repair.

Read more: What is Pentesting in Cybersecurity?

The role of artificial intelligence in reducing dwell time

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a thing of the future: today, it is a key component in defending against cyberattacks. More and more companies are incorporating AI into their cybersecurity strategies, and with good reason. When it comes to reducing the dwell time of a threat, speed and accuracy make all the difference... and that's where AI shines.

Thanks to this technology, it is possible to analyze large volumes of data in seconds, detect suspicious patterns, and generate alerts much sooner than a human could. This not only improves early detection, but also speeds up incident response, helping to contain threats before they escalate.

In addition, AI is helping to close the cybersecurity talent gap. With the growing number of threats and the shortage of specialized professionals, automating certain critical tasks has become essential. AI can handle repetitive analysis, classify incidents, prioritize risks, and even propose actions, allowing human teams to focus on more strategic decisions.

In short, artificial intelligence is not replacing cybersecurity specialists, but rather empowering them. And for organizations looking to reduce dwell time, leveraging these tools can make a big difference. As threats become more complex, having the help of AI is no longer an advantage... it's a necessity.

How to reduce dwell time and minimize the impact of cyberattacks

When it comes to cybersecurity, time is everything. The faster a threat is detected, the less damage it can do. That's why reducing dwell time is key to protecting any organization's data, systems, and reputation.

The good news? There are very clear strategies for detecting, responding, and acting before the problem becomes a crisis. Here's how to do it.

1. Detection: See what you normally don't see

The first step is obvious but crucial: you have to detect the problem in order to act. And for that, you need real-time visibility into what's happening inside your network.

Some effective practices include:

1. 24/7 monitoring with intelligent tools: Using solutions such as SOC as a Service or intrusion detection systems (IDS) allows you to detect suspicious activity instantly and generate automatic alerts.

2. Endpoint protection: Having up-to-date antivirus and antimalware on all devices connected to your network is essential, but so is having more advanced solutions that identify unusual behavior.

3. Frequent vulnerability analysis: Performing regular reviews allows you to find weak points before attackers do.

4. Backups and recovery plans: Having a good backup solution, such as TecnetProtect Backup, and a clear strategy for getting back online if something goes wrong can dramatically reduce response times.

5. Internal training: Investing in training for your employees is just as important as having advanced technology. Human error remains one of the main causes of security breaches.

6. Review of security policies: Passwords, access permissions, and backup protocols must be defined, updated, and enforced. Otherwise, it's like having security cameras... but leaving the door open.

2. Threat hunting: Actively searching before it's too late

It's not enough to wait for an alarm to go off. Threat hunting is a proactive approach that involves searching for signs of possible intrusions, even if automated tools have not raised an alert.

This is where human expertise and detailed data analysis come into play. Teams dedicated to this task typically:

1. Review logs, network traffic, and activity records.

2. Analyze behavior on endpoints (connected devices).

3. Use artificial intelligence algorithms to detect unusual patterns.

4. Correlate small events that separately seem innocent but together can be clear signs of an attack.
   
   

All of this is part of the work performed by our SOC (Security Operations Center). Our team is responsible for continuously monitoring networks, analyzing data in real time, and applying artificial intelligence to anticipate threats.

They don't wait for attacks to happen; they proactively search for them, connecting the pieces of the puzzle before the problem becomes a crisis. This is how they manage to significantly reduce dwell time and help organizations stay one step ahead in cybersecurity.

The goal is to find what shouldn't be there before it causes damage. If a threat is detected, a well-structured process is followed:

1. Investigation: Digging deeper into what is happening, which systems are involved, and how big the risk is.

2. Containment: Isolating the affected system so that the attack does not spread.

3. Eradication: Eliminate the malware or block the attacker.

4. Recovery: Restore systems, data, or configurations from secure copies.

5. Post-incident review: Learn from the case, adjust protocols, and reinforce any weaknesses that have been detected.

This process is ongoing. It is not a one-time thing. Searching for threats is part of the daily maintenance of a good security strategy.

Read more: Phases of Pentesting: How to secure your systems step by step?

3. Incident response: Act quickly and effectively when something happens

When a threat becomes apparent, time is of the essence. This is where the incident response protocol comes into play, a set of defined steps that allows you to react in an organized manner to limit damage, regain control, and prevent it from happening again.

The most common phases of a good response are:

1. Triage: Assess the severity of the incident and prioritize actions.

2. Containment: Limit the impact, disconnect systems, or block compromised access points.

3. Eradication: Completely eliminate the threat and close the doors through which it entered.

4. Recovery: Restore affected systems and services, preferably from verified backups.

5. Future prevention: Review what went wrong, update procedures, and train the team to prevent it from happening again.

Having a ready and tested response plan makes a big difference. Not only does it allow you to act quickly, but it also gives the team peace of mind and prevents impulsive decisions under pressure.

Conclusion: Why does all this matter so much?

Because identifying a threat today does not mean it appeared today. Often, when a security team detects an attack, it discovers that unauthorized access began weeks or even months earlier.

Reducing dwell time is no small task. It's a combination of constant monitoring, intelligent analysis, and a rapid, well-coordinated response. The longer a threat goes undetected, the more opportunities it has to cause real damage. That's why it's necessary to have a team that looks beyond basic alerts.

Our SOC as a Service works precisely for that purpose: to help you detect threats before they become serious problems. At TecnetOne, we combine cutting-edge technology with a specialized team that monitors, analyzes, and responds in real time, every day, around the clock. We don't just watch what's happening; we actively look for what shouldn't be happening.

Backed by artificial intelligence and processes designed to anticipate risks, our team acts as an extension of yours, protecting your digital assets from prevention to response. And best of all, we do it in a close, human, and results-oriented way.

Because in cybersecurity, the difference between an alert and a catastrophe is time. And at TecnetOne, we understand that very clearly.