Security Information and Event Management, or SIEM for short, is of great value for IT security. With a good SIEM strategy, IT risks can be detected more quickly, defensive measures can be focused more precisely and compliance reports can be generated automatically.
Today, cyber attacks are often so sophisticated and complex that they are only detected very late or not at all. The longer it takes for an attack to be detected, however, the greater the potential damage. However, there is no lack of indications of new IT threats or traces of attacks. Signs of security incidents can be found in log data, for example. Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)systems collect data from a wide variety of sources such as networks, systems and applications. By analysing this data, security incidents can be detected and remediated at an early stage. In this article you will learn more about SIEM and how it can help you protect your business from security risks.
What is a SIEM system?
The definition of a SIEM system is a combination of software and hardware that allows organisations to monitor their network security. SIEM systems are able to analyse logs from various systems and generate alerts when suspicious activity is detected. SIEM systems are usually part of a company’s larger security programme and can help detect and combat threats more quickly. SIEM systems can also help monitor compliance with security regulations.
SIEM systems are an important tool for network security, but it is important to note that SIEM systems are only as good as the data they process. SIEM systems can only generate alerts if they are properly configured and process the right data (keyword: use case tuning). SIEM systems alone cannot eliminate threats, but they can be an important part of a larger security programme. SIEM systems are most effective when combined with other security tools and measures.
A SIEM is a key component of an enterprise IT security management system. It serves as a central event management tool in the Security Operation Centre (SOC). We are happy to support you in the selection and implementation of a suitable SIEM solution for your company.
What are SIEM systems used for?
SIEM systems are primarily used to monitor and analyse security data. This includes data from firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS) and other security systems. SIEM systems can also be used to correlate data from different sources. This gives security analysts a better overview of the security situation in their network. SIEM systems are also used to detect security threats and incidents.
How does a SIEM work?
A SIEM is an approach to centrally collect and analyse data from various sources in real time. SIEM enables security officers to detect and respond to threats faster by correctly analysing critical information from multiple sources. SIEM typically involves a combination of software and hardware that can collect and analyse security data from networks, endpoints, applications and users. SIEM solutions typically provide a dashboard-based view of the organisation’s security posture and enable security officers to respond quickly to threats. SIEM is an essential component of a comprehensive security strategy. However, SIEM solutions can also be complex and expensive, making them prohibitively expensive for many companies.
SIEM is an essential part of a comprehensive security strategy, but it is important to remember that SIEM is only as good as the data it analyses. SIEM solutions need to be carefully selected and configured to ensure that they work properly.
Choosing the right SIEM solution
If companies decide to use SIEM solutions, they should consider organising workshops either internally or with SIEM partners. This will allow them to coordinate their project scope and timeframe. To determine the size of your organisation and the time it will take to achieve it, you must first determine the use case and prioritise to determine the log sources required. SIEM solutions should be evaluated based on four main factors: Functionality, Cost, Integration and Maintenance.
SIEM functionalities must meet the needs of security analysts. SIEM solutions should be able to be integrated into the existing security infrastructure and the SIEM system must be regularly kept up to date. SIEM partners should be regularly audited to ensure that they are providing the required SIEM functionality and services. By reviewing these four SIEM assessment factors, companies can ensure they find the SIEM solution that best suits them. SIEM solutions should be evaluated for features, cost, integration and maintenance to ensure they find the SIEM solution that best suits them.
Why do you need a SIEM?
As said above, SIEM can help detect and remediate threats faster. SIEM provides real-time monitoring and analysis of security data from multiple sources. SIEM can also help ensure compliance with security regulations. A SIEM can be a valuable tool for companies to improve their IT security. However, SIEM can also be very complex and expensive. SIEM solutions are usually only affordable for large companies. SIEM is also a relatively new concept, so it can be difficult for many companies to implement SIEM. SIEM also usually requires a high level of IT expertise. SIEM is therefore not always the best solution for all companies. SIEM should be carefully considered before a company decides to deploy SIEM.
The advantages of Security Information and Event Management at a glance
It is impossible to completely avoid security-critical incidents in the modern IT environment – but early detection and recording of dangers increases the chance of keeping any damage as low as possible. If you play to its strengths, a SIEM system provides you with the perfect basis for this. In particular, the real-time reaction to detected security events is one of the decisive strengths of such a solution: the automated algorithms and AI tools detect dangers at a point in time when normal security precautions are often not yet or not at all effective.
Another advantage of a good SIEM solution is that all security events are automatically documented and archived in a tamper-proof manner. This makes it easier for you to prove later that applicable laws on data security and data protection have been observed and complied with. Security Information and Event Management can therefore play a decisive role within the framework of an individual, company-internal compliance concept.
Finally, a SIEM system also helps to optimise human resources: Due to the high degree of automation associated with this real-time monitoring and analysis, IT staff can prioritise other tasks. Alternatively, staffing requirements can be significantly reduced.