System and methods implemented in a node in a cloud-based security system include obtaining a plurality of rules each define via a rule syntax that includes a rule header and rule options, wherein each rule header is used to for a rule database lookup, and each rule options is used to specify details about the associated rule; monitoring data associated with a user of the cloud-based security system; analyzing the data with the plurality of rules; and performing one or more security functions on the data based on triggering of a rule of the plurality of rules.