What is SIEM and why is it so important?

SIEM is a security solution that allows organizations to detect and act promptly in the event of threats, vulnerabilities or breaches in their systems, networks, servers and equipment. Thanks to its real-time event management system, it allows IT specialists to implement measures and make decisions to ensure the integrity of the company’s data.

The following addresses what it is, how it works and what its main advantages are. 

What is SIEM? 

SIEM is the acronym for Security Information and Event Management.

This is a security solution that allows the centralization and management of data generated by an organization. Following this, SIEM systems provide a comprehensive view by collecting, as well as correlating, SEM (Security Event Management) security events and security data from multiple sources, such as servers or devices. 

This SIEM solution enables security specialists and analysts to detect security threats and respond quickly to incidents. It also facilitates regulatory compliance by maintaining detailed logs of activities and alerts, which provide valuable information for audits, risk assessments, and cybersecurity decision-making.

Security information and event management tools

SIEM has a large number of tools that allow not only the detection of threats, but also the security response to events, problems or alerts of system breaches. One of the main functions of these tools and, in general, of the SIEM solution, is security orchestration, automation and response ( SOAR ), which offers improvements in the efficiency of security teams by automating repetitive processes. 

But SIEM tools are not only used to detect threats, they are also used for regulatory compliance. Many companies and organizations in general must comply with security protocols and measures, which implies a timely response to threats, as well as the resolution of security breaches. SIEM systems provide reports, which are possible thanks to the integration of SIEM and SIM (Security Information Management) security. This is essential in the control and protection of a company’s IT infrastructure. 

But what are these tools? Among the main ones are the following: 

• IBM QRadar 
• Splunk 
• Sumo Logic 
• Elastic Stack 
• LogRhythm 

The use of one or another SIEM tool will depend on the needs and size of the company, as well as the regulatory requirements that it must face.

SIEM practices and operation 

So, what are the practices that should be applied to ensure the security of a company’s data? Key actions include: 

• Configuration. Systems must be properly configured. What does this practice entail? Event correlation rules are applied, events to be monitored are defined, and alerts are set up. 
• Collection. Another practice is the collection of data to obtain an overview of the operation and security of network systems and devices. 
• Analysis. Data is systematically analyzed to identify patterns, risks, and future threats.  
• Alerts. As seen, security specialists assign alerts to act quickly against possible vulnerabilities. 
• Response. Incidents require responses, but also investigations to implement more effective security measures. 
• Management. SIEM systems allow centralizing incident management, a fundamental aspect of vulnerability control. 
• Updating. Systems need to be updated periodically to address new threats, fix security holes, and, of course, improve overall system performance.

What are the advantages and limitations of SIEM? 

Let’s now look at the advantages and disadvantages of SIEM implementation. 

Advantages 

• It allows for rapid detection of threats. This also occurs in real time, making this security solution one of the most effective. 
• Enables event correlation through automation, which is critical for identifying suspicious behavior or detecting complex attacks.
• Provides detailed information and records on security-related activities, a key aspect of compliance. 
• It promotes the automation of tasks, which has a positive impact on task optimization and workload reduction.

Limitations

• Alert list overload may occur due to false positives.
• It requires a great deal of effort to configure and manage your systems, which results in the need for specialists and time.
• It requires constant updates, so IT managers must keep an eye on new versions.
• It requires a large amount of data to work efficiently. If the volume of data is low, the tools may not reveal valuable information for threat prevention and response.
• It can be very expensive for small businesses.