Originally designed as a tool to assist organizations with compliance and industry-specific regulations, security information and event management (SIEM) is a technology that has been around for almost two decades. It combines security information management (SIM) with security event management (SEM) and provides the foundation for cyberthreat detection capabilities.
SIEM technology helps to manage security incidents by collecting and analyzing log data, security events, and other events or data sources. Security operations center (SOC) analysts use SIEM tools to manage security incidents and detect and respond to potential threats quickly.
According to Gartner, businesses looking for SIEM today need a solution to collect security event logs and telemetry in real time for threat detection, incident response, and compliance use cases.
They also need the ability to analyze the telemetry to detect attacks and other flagged activities. Along with SIEM comes the ability to investigate incidents, report on activities, and store the relevant events and logs.
SIEM solutions play a crucial role in helping security teams enhance their cybersecurity efforts.
Explore how SIEM solutions intertwine with SOC teams to easily aggregate data and identify potential issues by reading our article, What is a SIEM Solution?
SIEM works by collecting security-related data from various sources within an organization's network, such as logs from firewalls, IDS, servers, and applications. This data is aggregated into a central repository, where it undergoes correlation analysis to identify patterns, anomalies, and potential security incidents.
SIEM generates alerts for these incidents, allowing security analysts to investigate and respond. It also provides reporting capabilities for compliance requirements and integrates with external threat intelligence sources to enhance its detection capabilities.
SIEM operates in real time, continuously monitoring the network, adapting and learning from new patterns to improve its detection accuracy over time.
Discover how SIEM software can help your organization manage security-related data by reading, What is Security Information and Event Management Software?
SIEM solutions can be deployed differently, depending on an organization’s requirements and resources. Here are some of the most common deployment options:
When deploying SIEM solutions, organizations should consider factors such as their IT infrastructure, data sensitivity, regulatory compliance requirements, scalability needs, budget, and available expertise. It's crucial to assess the benefits and trade-offs of each deployment option to determine the most suitable approach for their specific circumstances.
Learn how SIEM tools and services offer a holistic view of your organization's information security in our article, What are Security Information and Event Management Tools?
SIEM logging refers to the process of collecting, storing, and analyzing log data from various sources within an IT environment using Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems. This process is fundamental to the operation of SIEM systems as it enables them to perform their core functions of security monitoring, event correlation, and incident response. Here's a closer look at each aspect of SIEM logging:
SIEM logging is crucial for effective security management as it provides the data that underpins all other SIEM functionalities, enabling organizations to detect, investigate, and respond to security incidents more effectively.
Explore how SIEM logging transforms raw data into meaningful insights to enhance security measures and strategies: What is SIEM Logging?
A SIEM’s main functionality is to aggregate loads of data and consolidate it into one system for searchability and reporting purposes. The key capabilities SIEM provides that are most useful to enterprises include:
Discover how SIEM integration combines SIEM systems with other security and network tools and technologies: What is Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) Integration?
These capabilities collectively empower security teams to detect, respond to, and mitigate security incidents efficiently, enabling organizations to proactively safeguard their digital assets and infrastructure.
XDR offers a modern integrated approach to threat detection and response, covering a wider range of data sources and providing real-time capabilities. SIEM is more focused on log and event management, historical analysis, and compliance reporting. Organizations should consider their specific security needs and existing infrastructure when choosing between the two. Many organizations use a combination of both XDR and SIEM for comprehensive security monitoring and incident response.
Deep dive into how XDR (extended detection and response) and SIEM (security information and event management) differ in their approach and scope by reading, What is the Difference Between SIEM vs. XDR?
SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response) and SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) are both critical components in the cybersecurity infrastructure of organizations, but they serve different functions.
SIEM primarily focuses on aggregating, monitoring, and analyzing security logs and data from multiple sources within an organization.
SOAR platforms automate responses to security threats and streamline the process of managing and responding to alerts.
SIEM tools are focused on alert generation through data analysis, while SOAR tools concentrate on managing and responding to these alerts through automation. Both are complementary, with SIEM providing the necessary data and alerts that enable SOAR tools to execute automated processes and incident response actions effectively.
It's important to note that while SIEM and SOAR serve different primary functions, there is some overlap in their capabilities. For example, some SIEM solutions may include basic automation features, while some SOAR platforms may offer built-in threat intelligence or anomaly detection. However, the core focus of each technology remains distinct, with SIEM prioritizing data collection and analysis and SOAR emphasizing orchestration and automation of incident response.
Explore the differences between SIEM and SOAR tools in great detail: SIEM vs SOAR: What’s the Difference?
EDR and SIEM are two different, but essential, cybersecurity technologies. EDR stands for Endpoint Detection and Response, and monitors the endpoints such as servers, workstations, and mobile devices to detect and respond to any security incidents.
In contrast, SIEM collects and analyzes security events and logs across an organization's network infrastructure to detect and respond to any security threats in a comprehensive manner. While EDR focuses on endpoint protection, SIEM provides a comprehensive view of the overall security posture.
Many organizations use both EDR and SIEM as part of a layered security approach. EDR provides deep visibility and protection at the endpoint level, while SIEM offers a holistic view of an organization's security posture and enables correlation of events across multiple systems and data sources.
Dive into greater detail to learn how to benefit from both technologies to ensure your security coverage: What is the Difference Between EDR vs SIEM?
Security Event Management (SEM) is a component of broader Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems. It specifically focuses on the real-time monitoring, correlation of events, notification of security incidents, and in some cases, the organization and presentation of data related to security events. Here’s what SEM typically includes:
In essence, SEM helps organizations to manage and respond to security threats in real-time by providing tools that increase visibility, enhance detection capabilities, and facilitate faster response to incidents.
Dig into the details on the stages of the SEM process that enable security teams to detect, investigate and respond to threats quickly: What is Security Event Management (SEM)?
SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) tools offer several key benefits to Security Operations Center (SOC) teams, enhancing their capabilities to monitor, analyze, and respond to security threats effectively. Here are some of the main advantages:
Overall, SIEM tools are vital for SOC teams, providing comprehensive visibility into network activities, enhancing incident response capabilities, and helping maintain compliance with regulatory requirements.
Learn how SIEM tools streamline security processes and provide deep insights into an organization’s security posture: How Do SIEM Tools Benefit SOC Teams?
While SIEM solutions offer valuable capabilities, they also have certain limitations that organizations should be aware of:
Organizations should carefully evaluate their requirements, consider the limitations, and implement appropriate measures to mitigate potential challenges. Augmenting SIEM with other security technologies and practices can help address some of these limitations and provide a more comprehensive defense posture.
Stopping today’s threats requires a radically new approach to security operations. The future of SIEM is likely to be shaped by several key trends and advancements in the field of cybersecurity, such as the following:
It's important to note that the future of SIEM will be shaped by the evolving threat landscape, technology advancements, and the specific needs of organizations. As cybersecurity continues to evolve, SIEM solutions will adapt and evolve to meet the challenges of detecting, mitigating, and responding to emerging threats effectively.
The Cortex family of products – including Cortex XSIAM, Cortex XDR, Cortex XSOAR, and Cortex Xpanse – offers AI-driven, scalable, and comprehensive security for the SOC of the future.