Root Cause Analysis (RCA)

RCA, or root cause analysis, refers to a systematic process that IT pros use to identify the underlying causes of any problems that may arise. An effective RCA process will involve a series of specified steps used for root cause identification. 

Keep in mind that cause and root cause are not necessarily the same thing – a root cause goes back to the very beginnings of what may have caused a problem. Let’s dive a little bit deeper into RCA, within the world of IT. 

What is root cause analysis in IT? 

Root cause analysis is used across many sectors, not just the IT space – but in the realm of information technology and cybersecurity, RCA analysis refers to a standardized process for IT pros to follow when a serious breach or event occurs. Examples of these events include prolonged downtime, an outage, a loss of connectivity, or a breach of security. 

But RCA is not just about investigating the root causes of a problem. It goes beyond that to identify potential proactive solutions to keep that problem from happening again. As you explore the root cause analysis meaning, you will find that this strategy is more of a reactive approach. There are other security strategies that take on a more proactive nature, such as MDR (managed detection and response).

Why is root cause analysis necessary?  

There are numerous benefits associated with root cause analyses in the world of IT, including its focus on causes rather than symptoms, reducing cost and time for IT departments, improving reliability, promoting proactive solutions, optimizing resource utilization, encouraging a culture of learning, and many more. Let’s take a look at some of the RCA root cause analysis benefits: 

• Mitigate risks: RCA helps to identify and minimize risks, which in turn reduces the frequency and severity of any system failures. 
• Improve customer satisfaction: When your system is running better due to effective RCA, your customers will also have a smoother experience, enhancing trust and user satisfaction rates. 
• Encourage a culture of learning: RCA is all about investigating issues to determine their root causes, so employing this strategy in an IT environment encourages IT techs of all levels to continue learning and developing.
• Promote proactive solutions: When you use root cause analyses to identify and address problems before they become severe, you can avoid more damaging issues. 
• Reduce time and money spent: Identifying problems early with root cause analysis is also a great way to cut down on the resources your department is expanding. 
• Optimize resource utilization: Additionally, RCA fixes issues early on and puts permanent solutions in place rather than temporary band-aids, leading to less downtime on the whole. 

Causes and root causes

As we look to explain root cause analysis and define RCA, it is important to differentiate between causes and root causes. As you look to identify why a problem occurred, you want to push backward by continuing to ask questions until you have found the ultimate source of the problem. For instance, take this common example we see a lot in IT departments: 

• Problem: An end user’s computer is not turning on. Why? 
• Cause: The power button is not working.
• You might hear a cause like this reported from a user, but we all know instinctively that it does not really get to the bottom of the issue. Instead, we need to ask “Why?” and look at some follow-up questions. 
• Question: Is the computer plugged into the surge protector?
• This is an interesting train of thought! It looks like the computer is plugged in, but let’s keep following the trail of the power source… 
• Question: Is the surge protector turned on?
• Looks like it is not! Now, we have found the root cause of the issue. 
• Root cause: The surge protector was turned off. 

The definition of a root cause states that a root cause is the ultimate source of the problem, which we can often get back to iteratively by asking “Why?” questions and employing RCA analysis tactics. 

What is an RCA and how do you employ it? 

Many IT pros wonder, “what is a root cause analysis and how can I use it in my own IT department?”. As we look at the root cause analysis definition, we can see that it involves tracing our steps backward to identify the ultimate source of a problem. 

So how do you use RCA analysis in your own IT department? Well, holding training to help educate your team on the mindset behind RCA and understanding the RCA definition is definitely a step in the right direction. There are many different strategies and tips to get your RCA journey started off on the right foot…  

• Five whys: Many people use the “five whys” strategy as part of their RCA toolkit. This strategy involves asking a series of why questions until you get to the root of the problem. 
• Fishbone chart: Another popular RCA tactic, the fishbone chart looks like a fish. The problem is the head, and each spine is one source of the problem, which you can also break off into more sub-branches. 
• Verbal exploration: Many people, in all different disciplines, find it easier to understand a problem they can verbalize. Try walking through your RCA analysis with a coworker. 

Who uses root cause analyses? 

Root cause analysis is not only for IT and technology teams. Some believe that these strategies first took hold in the aeronautical industry, although the process seems to have roots in a number of different verticals. 

Root cause analysis is also used in the environmental science field after natural disasters. It is even used in medical device manufacturing and pharmaceutical environments, and in some industries, it is a regulatory requirement. 

Using RCA as part of your IT security strategy

As you work to come up with a strong security stack for your IT team, you will want to incorporate root cause analysis into that toolbox. As you work to improve your incident response tactics, RCA can be a helpful tool in determining what you need to add to your security suite.

For instance, you might be trying to decide between an EDR and MDR solution. Root cause analysis can help you determine your biggest points of need by determining the causes behind the problems your organization has been struggling with. You may also be deciding if you should invest in a patch management tool or whether or not a password manager is essential. 

Maybe you are weighing the pros and cons of different RMM products and trying to figure out which features, capabilities, and security integrations are really the most important for your company. Root cause analysis can help with all of these concerns, as it can shed light on your team or organization’s most vulnerable areas and help you create a more proactive security strategy. 

Build a strong IT security plan with RCA

Now that you can define root cause analysis and better understand the RCA abbreviation, you should have an idea of how this investigatory tactic can help you improve your organization’s security efforts. Root cause analysis is part of any strong security hardening strategy – and it is best used in conjunction with robust security integrations and tools, such as automated patch management and a robust RMM to ensure strong visibility over your entire IT environment. 

If you haven’t heard of root cause analysis before, don’t worry – you’re not alone. But now that you’ve taken your IT education one step further by exploring this glossary entry, you’re ready to start integrating RCA into your team’s cybersecurity strategy. Explore more security-related posts and resources right here in Atera’s frequently updated blog! Alternately, take things to the next level and join our online community, where members chat and collaborate about all things IT.