What is a SIEM?
SIEM solutions enable enterprises to monitor and analyze security-related data from a variety of sources, such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and endpoint security devices. By collecting and analysing this data, companies can spot patterns that may signal a security breach, allowing them to take quick and appropriate action to avoid or mitigate an attack.
A SIEM’s primary job is to track, log, gather, and manage security data for compliance or auditing purposes, as well as to provide operational features such as reporting, data aggregation, security monitoring, and user activity tracking.
SIEMs were originally two separate systems: Security event management (SEM) and security information management (SIM). These technologies made it possible to conduct monitoring and analysis of security-related incidents. In 2005, Gartner came up with the term SIEM to characterize the combination of SIM and SEM technologies within an organization.
SIEM software has developed to incorporate user and entity behavior analytics (UEBA), in addition to other advanced security analytics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning capabilities for identifying anomalous behaviors and advanced threat indicators. In today’s modern security operation centers (SOCs), security information and event management (SIEM) is rapidly becoming the norm for security monitoring and compliance management.
A SIEM enables IT teams to view the big picture by aggregating security event data from many sources in one location. A single alarm from an antivirus filter may not be cause for concern. Still, if traffic anomaly notifications from the firewall are received simultaneously, it could indicate that a serious breach is taking place. SIEM combines these alarms in a centralized console, providing a complete picture of security goings-on.
How Does SIEM Work?
SIEM software collects log and event data from host systems, security devices, and apps across an organization’s infrastructure and stores it on a centralized SIEM platform. SIEM software collects and categorizes data ranging from antivirus events to firewall logs, including malware activity, failed and successful logins, and other potentially harmful activities.
When the software detects threatening activities, notifications are sent highlight a potential security problem. These notifications can be prioritized as low or high using predefined rules. For example, suppose a user account generates 15 failed login attempts in 10 minutes. In that case, it may be marked as a suspicious activity but assigned a lesser priority because the user has most likely forgotten their login information. However, if an account has 140 failed login attempts in 5 minutes, it is more likely that a brute-force attack is underway and will be classified as a high-severity incident.
The Benefits of SIEM include
- Increased efficiency
- Reducing threats
- Minimizing the effect of security breaches
- Cutting costs
- Improved reporting, log analysis, and retention
How to Select a SIEM Provider
The SIEM systems listed below are solid solutions with a large user base. When picking a SIEM, consider the vendor’s track record and market position, with a focus on functionality.
Best SIEM Tools and Solutions
Here is a SIEM tools list we have compiled to assist you in choosing the best SIEM tool for your organization.
- Exabeam Fusion
Next-generation SIEM Exabeam Fusion uses behavior-based threat detection, investigation, and response in the cloud. Fusion SIEM reduces fraud and combines all important events to boost analyst efficiency. It also finds risks other products miss. This increases detection and response time for all warnings, including “noisy” systems with high alerts.
Additionally, Fusion SIEM is fully integrated with SOAR, enabling automated incident response. This lets almost any danger be handled automatically (or semi-automatically) in real time. Prescriptive methods and pre-packaged use-case information (external threats, compromised insiders, and malicious insiders) aid SOC success and reaction automation.
Fusion SIEM has cloud-based log storage, fast and guided search, and full compliance reporting, all standard features.
- FortiSIEM
FortiSIEM provides cloud-based security monitoring, alerting, and incident response. It uses advanced analytics and machine learning algorithms to detect anomalies and potential threats in real time, enabling organizations to respond quickly and mitigate security occurrences.
FortiSIEM’s ability to detect and alert on threats that standard security solutions may overlook is a major benefit. FortiSIEM finds patterns and relationships that individual data points may miss by analyzing data from multiple sources. This helps companies find dangers that could otherwise go unnoticed and respond to security issues faster.
FortiSIEM also helps organizations investigate and resolve security concerns with its tools and skills. Its incident response software helps organizations triage and investigate security events quickly. This SIEM platform allows data analysis, case file preparation, and security team cooperation.
- Splunk
Splunk is a popular SIEM. Its security and application/network monitoring capabilities set it apart from other manufacturers, making it popular among security and IT experts. Splunk’s SIEM provides real-time data and a simple interface like most major SIEM systems. Pricing depends on protected workloads.
Detecting sophisticated threats and strategies like lateral movement is difficult with Splunk Enterprise Security’s integrated behavioral analytics and automation. Most organizations require a highly tailored solution that cannot be used “out of the box.” A specialized user must do many queries to detect lateral movement, which may provide many false positives. Users also mention SIEM, SOAR, and UEBA tool integration issues.
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- LogRhythm
SIEM pioneer LogRhythm deserves its reputation. AI, log correlation, and other analytical methods are part of its solution. Since LogRhythm is less user-friendly than other SIEMs, integrating is easy but learning is harder.
Additionally, LogRhythm’s technique doesn’t detect all lateral movements. Detecting account switching requires analysts to manually combine timeframes. Lateral movement within your network is common for attackers seeking valuable information or assets. The solution’s detection engine overuses indications of compromise (IOCs) and struggles with advanced attacks.
- IBM QRadar SIEM
IBM QRadar SIEM provides real-time IT infrastructure monitoring. Modularity helps identify and prioritize threats. It enables many logging protocols, setup options, and extensive analytics. The system has an app store where QRadar users can download IBM and third-party content.
However, IBM QRadar’s high cost and complicated pricing plan and requirement for collaboration capabilities like chat tools and asset management are drawbacks. UEBA, a key component of next-generation SIEM, is limited in QRadar.
Upgrades in distributed contexts are complicated and time-consuming, and product support is sometimes limited (although upgradeable). The product’s reporting options are restricted and require external scripts.
- ManageEngine Log360
An integrated SIEM system with DLP and CASB, Log360, provides strong security. This sophisticated technology swiftly and accurately identifies, prioritizes, investigates, and responds to threats. Threat intelligence, machine learning, and rule-based detection let Log360 detect advanced threats. The entire incident management console lets organizations quickly fix threats and safeguard on-premises, cloud, and hybrid networks. Log360’s advanced security analytics and monitoring empower consumers to protect their data and gain total security awareness.
Log360 by ManageEngine is a premier SIEM tool for threat detection and risk mitigation. Log360 monitors network files, folders, and logs to alert you to odd activity. The compliance reporting tool keeps your organization resilient to growing cybersecurity threats by complying with GDPR, PCI DSS, HIPAA, and GLBA.
- Microsoft Azure Sentinel
Late in 2019, Microsoft announced Azure Sentinel, a powerful SIEM security tool. It is popular with Microsoft security and IT clients who wish to consolidate them into one pane. Azure Sentinel’s “pay-as-you-go” license model appeals to large organizations and small and medium-sized businesses. Its data onboarding is likewise smooth.
However, Azure Sentinel has major drawbacks. It prioritizes Microsoft security and has fewer third-party security connectors than other leading SIEMs. This makes it unattractive for non-Microsoft security-using organizations. Security researchers unfamiliar with Microsoft data sources will also face a high learning curve.
- MCSA Enterprise Security Manager
McAfee Enterprise Security Manager detects sophisticated threats, manages compliance, and generates real-time reports. The user interface lets fresh resources handle various emergencies. McAfee Enterprise Security Manager may scale on-premises or in the cloud dependent on data needs.
McAfee Enterprise Security Manager has multiple log sources, which may increase network traffic. The system only logs the most significant information, therefore you may need to collect logs again to see event contexts.
Some McAfee users claim slow performance. Pop-up windows from system prompts and frequent updates might disrupt continuity.
- Elastic Stack
Elastic created the ELK stack, which unifies Elasticsearch, Logstash, and Kibana. Elasticsearch allows log searching and filtering. Logstash allows real-time log creation and collection from one location. Kibana displays statistics in graphs and charts.
Open-source application management and monitoring solutions work well. The ELK stack logs apps centrally, helping you find and fix issues quickly and ensure app performance. It helps organizations identify IT issues early so the security team can address them.
ELK has out-of-memory issues for queries with large index sizes, a multiplex design that makes project setup and management difficult, and no support for third-party tools. Due to its poor documentation and difficulty debugging, learning to use it needs a lot of trial and error.
- InsightlDR
InsightIDR from Rapid7 offers pre-built alerts and triggers. It streamlines security analyst work by combining data sources. Despite being cloud-forward, it offers on-premises log collectors.
One drawback of InsightIDR is the time and effort needed to search raw logs. Teams often use on-host log inspections to speed discovery. Without a user-friendly incident management interface, security event context is difficult to obtain.
Additionally, InsightIDR offers limited integrations. The SIEM system interfaces with other Rapid7 technologies and third-party vendors, which contradicts its main goal of becoming the enterprise’s security data repository.
Maximizing SIEM Effectiveness with Cyber GRC
The effectiveness of Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) solutions is closely linked to the structure of the organization, its governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) frameworks, and the presence of knowledgeable responders. Without a strong infrastructure consisting of architects, GRC personnel, and responders, the SIEM is nothing more than flashing lights.
This holistic, continuous approach is crucial in detecting and responding to cybersecurity threats. By integrating SIEM with a dedicated Cyber GRC platform like Centraleyes, cybersecurity efforts are enhanced through increased visibility, improved compliance, proactive risk management, and streamlined governance processes.
Start Getting Value With
Centraleyes for Free
See for yourself how the Centraleyes platform exceeds anything an old GRC
system does and eliminates the need for manual processes and spreadsheets
to give you immediate value and run a full risk assessment in less than 30 days
