Using Get-MgSecurityIncidentCount in Graph PowerShell
As an administrator or security analyst in the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, staying informed about the number of security incidents within your organization is critical for maintaining a proactive defense. The Get-MgSecurityIncidentCount cmdlet from the Microsoft Graph PowerShell module offers a streamlined way to retrieve incident counts, enabling quick overviews of your security landscape. This article explores the cmdlet's syntax, examples, usage tips, potential pitfalls, and real-world scenarios where it shines.
Cmdlet Syntax
Get-MgSecurityIncidentCount [-Filter <String>]- -Filter: Apply OData filters to narrow down results (e.g., incidents within a specific date range).
- API Permissions Required: To execute this cmdlet, the
SecurityIncident.ReadWrite.Allpermission is required in Microsoft Graph.
Usage Examples
Example 1: Fetching Total Incident Count
Retrieve the total number of incidents in your Microsoft 365 environment.
Get-MgSecurityIncidentCount 
This straightforward query returns the total incident count, helping you gauge the overall security posture.
Example 2: Incident Count for a Specific Date Range
Query the number of incidents created after a specific date.
Get-MgSecurityIncidentCount -ConsistencyLevel "eventual" -Filter "createdDateTime ge 2024-10-01"
This example filters incidents based on their creation date, providing focused insights into recent threats or vulnerabilities.
Cmdlet Tips
- Using Filters Wisely: The power of Get-MgSecurityIncidentCount lies in its filtering capabilities. By leveraging OData filters, you can extract meaningful insights such as counts for specific incident types, severities, or time frames. For instance:
- Filter by severity: "severity eq 'high'"
- Focus on specific categories: "category eq 'malware'"
- Combine with Reporting Scripts: This cmdlet integrates seamlessly into reporting scripts. Combine it with export commands to automate daily, weekly, or monthly security reports for your team.
- Understand Query Consistency: Always use the -ConsistencyLevel "eventual" parameter when working with counts, as it ensures reliable query results.
Possible Errors & Solutions
| Error | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Missing Permissions | Insufficient privileges to complete the operation. | Assign the required permissions through the Azure AD portal and consent to the scope in your app registration. |
| Unsupported Filter | The applied filter is invalid or unsupported. | Verify your filter syntax and ensure it aligns with supported OData query options. |
| Resource not found or no data available. | No incidents match the filter criteria or the organization has no recorded incidents. | Broaden the filter scope or confirm that incidents exist in your tenant. |
Use Cases
- Monitor Real-Time Threat Trends:By incorporating the Get-MgSecurityIncidentCount cmdlet into your daily security operations, you can quickly identify surges in security incidents. For example, a spike in incidents may indicate an active attack, prompting immediate investigation.
- Assess Incident Volume Over Time: Combine date-based filtering with automation to track incident trends. This information is invaluable for identifying peak threat periods and aligning resource allocation accordingly.
- Optimize Security Operations Center (SOC) Workflows: SOC teams can use this cmdlet to quantify the incident load, enabling better workload distribution among analysts and prioritization of high-severity cases.
- Generate High-Level Security Reports: Integrate Get-MgSecurityIncidentCount into Power BI or other reporting tools for executive dashboards. This allows stakeholders to visualize the security posture and track progress in reducing incident counts over time.
Conclusion
The Get-MgSecurityIncidentCount cmdlet is a powerful tool for managing and monitoring your organization’s security incidents. By offering quick insights into incident volumes and facilitating filtered queries, it supports informed decision-making and effective threat response. Whether you’re a seasoned security analyst or an IT administrator, mastering this cmdlet can significantly enhance your ability to maintain a secure Microsoft 365 environment.
Leverage the examples and tips provided here to integrate this cmdlet into your daily operations, and watch your security workflows become more efficient and effective.