Automating Workflows with n8n: Cybersecurity and IT Use Cases

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Introduction

n8n is a powerful workflow automation tool that enables users to integrate APIs, manage data, and automate repetitive tasks across various platforms. In cybersecurity and IT, automation is critical for efficiency, threat detection, and system management. This article explores practical n8n workflows, including security monitoring, AI-driven automation, and cloud management.

Learning Objectives

  • Understand how n8n can automate cybersecurity tasks.
  • Learn to integrate AI and APIs for workflow efficiency.
  • Implement n8n for system monitoring and incident response.

You Should Know

1. Automating Security Alerts with M365 and n8n

Command/Workflow:

POST /api/v1/alerts 
Headers: 
Authorization: Bearer <API_KEY> 
Body: 
{ 
"alertType": "NewOutlookRule", 
"sourceIP": "192.168.1.100" 
}

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Set up an n8n workflow to monitor M365 alerts via API.
  2. Use an HTTP node to fetch alerts and filter suspicious IPs.
  3. Cross-reference IPs with known devices (e.g., RMM tools).
  4. Trigger high-priority tickets for unknown IPs using a ticketing system API.

2. AI-Powered Ticket Resolution with RAG

Command/Workflow:

from transformers import pipeline 
qa_pipeline = pipeline("question-answering", model="deepset/roberta-base-squad2")

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Use n8n’s Code node to integrate an AI model (e.g., Hugging Face).
  2. Feed historical ticket data into a Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) pipeline.
  3. Automatically generate resolution notes based on past tickets.

3. VMware Graceful Shutdown via Webhook

Command/Workflow:

curl -X POST -H "Authorization: Bearer <VCENTER_TOKEN>" https://vcenter.example.com/api/vcenter/vm/{vm_id}/power/stop

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Configure a webhook in n8n to trigger on UPS power failure alerts.
  2. Use the VMware API node to send shutdown commands to VMs.
  3. Add a delay node to check power status before restarting.

4. Docker Stack Updates with Portainer

Command/Workflow:

curl -X POST -H "X-API-Key: <PORTAINER_KEY>" http://portainer.example.com/api/stacks/{stack_id}/update

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Schedule an n8n workflow to trigger Portainer’s update webhook.
  2. Use HTTP nodes to authenticate and send update requests.
  3. Log results to a monitoring tool like Grafana.

5. Smart Device Monitoring with AI Behavior Analysis

Command/Workflow:

 Use TensorFlow for anomaly detection 
model.predict(device_behavior_data)

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Connect IoT devices to n8n via MQTT or REST APIs.
  2. Use a machine learning node to detect anomalies (e.g., unusual power usage).
  3. Send alerts via Slack or email if deviations are detected.

6. Standardizing Data with n8n Subflows

Workflow Link: n8n Phone Number Standardization

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Import the subflow into your n8n instance.

  1. Use it in workflows requiring phone number validation (e.g., CRM integrations).

7. Automated Social Media Threat Monitoring

Command/Workflow:

GET /v2/tweets/search/recent?query="phishing" 
Headers: 
Authorization: Bearer <TWITTER_API_KEY>

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Use n8n’s Twitter node to scan for keywords like “phishing” or “data breach.”
  2. Filter and analyze tweets with AI sentiment analysis.
  3. Forward high-risk posts to a SOC team for review.

What Undercode Say

  • Key Takeaway 1: n8n bridges the gap between IT operations and cybersecurity by enabling low-code automation for complex tasks.
  • Key Takeaway 2: Integrating AI and APIs into n8n workflows can significantly reduce manual effort in threat detection and system management.

Analysis:

n8n’s flexibility makes it ideal for IT and security teams. For example, Eli Meier’s M365 alert automation demonstrates how n8n can prioritize threats based on contextual data. Meanwhile, Albert Niyonzima’s AI-driven device monitoring shows its potential for proactive security. As APIs become more pervasive, n8n’s role in cybersecurity will grow, particularly in SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response) implementations.

Prediction

By 2025, n8n could become a staple in SOCs for automating incident response, especially with AI enhancements. Its open-source nature and community-driven workflows (like Sunny Thaper’s phone number standardization) will accelerate adoption in both enterprises and homelabs.

Note: Replace <API_KEY>, <VCENTER_TOKEN>, and other placeholders with actual credentials. Always test workflows in a non-production environment first.

IT/Security Reporter URL:

Reported By: Chuckkeith Hey – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅

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