Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)

Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)

Security Information and Event Manager (SIEM) is the term for software and services combining security information management and security event management. SIEM is an approach to security management that combines event, threat and risk data into a single system to improve the detection and remediation of security issues and provide an extra layer of in depth defense.

How does SIEM work?

At the most basic level, all SIEM solutions perform some level of data aggregation, consolidation and sorting functions to identify threats and adhere to data compliance requirements. While some solutions vary in capability, most offer the same core set of functions:

Log management: SIEM ingests event data from a wide range of sources across an organization’s entire IT infrastructure, including on-premises and cloud environments.
 
 Event log data from users, endpoints, applications, data sources, cloud workloads and networks, as well as data from security hardware and software, such as firewalls or antivirus software, is collected, correlated and analyzed in real-time. 
 
Event correlation and analytics: Event correlation is an essential part of any SIEM solution. Using advanced analytics to identify and understand intricate data patterns, event correlation provides insights to quickly locate and mitigate potential threats to business security. 
 
 SIEM solutions significantly improve mean time to detect (MTTD) and mean time to respond (MTTR) for IT security teams by offloading the manual workflows associated with the in-depth analysis of security events.

Incident monitoring and security alerts: SIEM consolidates its analysis into a single, central dashboard where security teams monitor activity, triage alerts, identify threats and initiate response or remediation. 
 
 Most SIEM dashboards also include real-time data visualizations that help security analysts spot spikes or trends in suspicious activity. Using customizable, predefined correlation rules, administrators can be alerted immediately and take appropriate actions to mitigate threats before they materialize into more significant security issues.

The benefits of SIEM

Detecting advanced and unknown threats: Using integrated threat intelligence feeds and AI technology, SIEM solutions can help security teams respond more effectively to a wide range of cyberattacks including

Insider threats: Security vulnerabilities or attacks that originate from individuals with authorized access to company networks and digital assets.

Phishing: Messages that appear to be sent by a trusted sender, often used to steal user data, login credentials, financial information or other sensitive business information.

Ransomware: Malware that locks a victim’s data or device and threatens to keep it locked, or worse, unless the victim pays a ransom to the attacker.

Distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks: Attacks that bombard networks and systems with unmanageable levels of traffic from a distributed network of hijacked devices (botnet), degrading performance of websites and servers until they are unusable.

Data exfiltration: Theft of data from a computer or other device, conducted manually, or automatically by using malware.

Monitoring users and applications:With the rise in popularity of remote workforces, SaaS applications and BYOD (bring your own device) policies, organizations need the level of visibility necessary to mitigate network risks from outside the traditional network perimeter.

Top 5 SIEM tools

  1. Splunk: Splunk is a well-recognized name in the SIEM industry, known for offering advanced analytics and vast integration capabilities suitable for diverse organizational sizes.

 Pros : 

i) Integration capabilities: The ability to integrate with a multitude of applications and data sources enables a comprehensive view of the organization’s security environment.

ii) Flexible deployment options: Offering both cloud and on-premises deployment options provides flexibility to organizations with different infrastructure preferences.

iii) Scalable: Splunk’s scalability ensures that the system can adapt and grow with the organization’s evolving needs.

Cons:

i) Complexity: Users find Splunk to be complex and challenging to configure and optimize, potentially leading to a steeper learning curve.

ii) Resource Intensive: Splunk can be resource-intensive, requiring significant computing power and storage capacity, especially for larger deployments.

iii) Cost: The volume-based pricing model can become expensive for organizations generating large volumes of log data, and there may be additional costs for premium features.

2. ManageEngine Log360: ManageEngine Log360 is a unified SIEM solution with integrated DLP and CASB capabilities that provides holistic insights into an organization’s security posture. Solidifying its place as a top SIEM vendor, Gartner® has placed ManageEngine in their Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for SIEM for six consecutive years. With its user-friendly interface, extensive log management capabilities, and advanced analytics, Log360 is a versatile choice for organizations of all sizes seeking to enhance their security infrastructure.

3. LogRhythm: LogRhythm is a SIEM solution that seamlessly integrates SOAR capabilities. It is tailored to streamline threat detection and response, providing organizations with a unified platform to manage the entire threat life cycle.

4. IBM QRadar: IBM QRadar is a SIEM solution known for its robust analytics and multifaceted approach to security. It facilitates the proactive detection of anomalies and potential threats by leveraging advanced AI and ML algorithms, making it one of the top SIEM solutions.

5. ArcSight: ArcSight, a solution by Micro Focus, offers SIEM functionalities with a focus on real-time threat detection and response. It is known for its correlation engine and scalability, catering to both small businesses and large enterprises.

G2 is leveraging Splunk to enhance its cybersecurity posture. By using Splunk, G2 has achieved more precise monitoring of its network activities and can quickly respond to any potential threats. This capability not only protects G2’s data but also helps maintain the trust of its customers.