How AI-driven collaboration is reshaping modern security operations
Modern security operations centers (SOCs) are under immense pressure. They must neutralize more threats,at greater speed, with fewer resources and no margin for error. In response, a new operational model is gaining ground: orchestrated autonomy. This approach merges agentic AI with human expertise to deliver adaptive and resilient managed detection and response (MDR). Providers like eSentire are at the forefront of this evolution.
From Static Scripts to Strategic Agents: A Paradigm Shift
Traditional automation has been useful for basic tasks such as alert triage, but it often falls short in dynamic environments. It lacks flexibility, depth, and awareness. Today, MDR operations are transforming as AI agents evolve into strategic partners, capable of making nuanced decisions and acting within response workflows.
Dustin Hillard, CTO at eSentire, explains this shift clearly: “Agents are now participating inside the loop, not around it. They’re handling responsibilities previously left to analysts, like deciding whether to escalate or suppress an alert or even initiating containment actions. At the same time, they are continuously learning from feedback.”
Three key innovations are enabling this change:
- Normalized telemetry allows AI to reason across various data streams.
- Dynamic policy frameworks ensure agents align with client expectations and compliance.
- Continuous feedback creates a system that improves with every interaction.
The Mechanics of Orchestrated Autonomy
Successful implementation of orchestrated autonomy relies on three foundational components:
Telemetry Normalization
AI systems require a unified data structure to make informed decisions. Normalizing telemetry from diverse tools and platforms ensures both machines and analysts operate with clarity.
Policy-Constrained Execution
Autonomy does not mean unchecked freedom. AI agents are restricted by clearly defined policies that reflect organizational risk tolerances, contractual obligations, and regulatory compliance.
Real-Time Human Feedback
Humans remain integral to the process. Analysts validate, override, or endorse AI decisions in real time. This ongoing feedback loop helps the system improve its future responses while keeping human judgment central.
These components create a powerful synergy between human and machine. AI accelerates decision-making while humans guide strategy and maintain control.
Agentic AI Maturity: A Roadmap for MDR Evaluation
Security leaders evaluating MDR vendors need a clear lens to assess AI capabilities. The following model outlines three stages of agentic AI maturity:
- Stage 1: Rule-Based Automation
Basic scripts and rigid playbooks handle routine tasks but lack flexibility or insight. - Stage 2: Conditional Autonomy
AI systems can take limited action within strict rules but do not adapt to real-time context. - Stage 3: Orchestrated Autonomy
AI agents collaborate with analysts dynamically. They make context-aware decisions that evolve through policy guidance and human feedback.
Providers like eSentire are already working at Stage 3. As Hillard points out, “Our goal is not just to respond quickly. It is to build agents that learn from every event and help shape smarter defenses going forward.”
Looking Forward: Human-Machine Collaboration at Scale
The cybersecurity landscape is evolving rapidly. Teams cannot scale headcount at the same rate as threats increase. Orchestrated autonomy offers a sustainable path by letting AI handle operational complexity, while analysts focus on high-value decisions.
This model does not replace people. It empowers them. With AI handling routine execution and learning from every incident, human operators are free to concentrate on areas where experience and strategy matter most.
Security leaders should no longer ask, "What can AI automate for us?" A better question is, "How can AI help us become faster, more adaptive, and more precise in our defense?"
To learn more about how eSentire’s Atlas AI can help your organization scale your security operations and get strong security outcomes, contact an Qylis S365 Security Specialist now.
