SIEM is a solution for safety which enables organisations to detect and respond promptly to threats, vulnerabilities or breaches in their systems, networks, servers and equipment. Thanks to its real-time event management system, it enables specialists at the IT department to implement measures and take decisions to ensure the integrity of the company’s data.
The following section discusses what it is, how it works and what its main advantages are.
What is SIEM?
SIEM is an acronym for Security Information and Event Management, known in Spanish as security information and event management.
This is a security solution that enables the centralisation and management of data generated by an organisation. Consequently, SIEM systems provide a comprehensive overview by collecting and correlating SEM security incidents (Security Event Management) 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. Furthermore, it facilitates regulatory compliance by maintaining detailed records of activities and alerts, which provide valuable information for audits, risk assessments and decision-making in cybersecurity.
Event management tools and safety information
SIEM has a a large number of tools which enable not only the detection of threats, but also a security response to incidents, problems or alerts regarding system breaches. One of the main functions of these tools – and of the SIEM solution in general – is the orchestration, automation and security response (SOAR, Security Orchestration, Automation and Response), which improves the efficiency of security equipment by automating repetitive processes.
However, SIEM tools not only enable the detection of threats, but are also used for the regulatory compliance. Many companies and organisations in general must comply with security protocols and measures, which involves responding promptly to threats and resolving security breaches. Indeed, SIEM systems provide reports, which are made possible by the integration of SIEM security and SIM (Security Information Management). This is essential for the management 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 choice of which SIEM tool to use will depend on the the company’s needs and size, as well as the regulatory requirements it must meet.
SIEM practices and operation
So, what measures should be put in place to ensure a company’s data security? Key actions include the following:
- Settings. Systems must be correctly configured. What does this involve in practice? Event correlation rules are applied, the events to be monitored are defined, and alerts are configured.
- Compilation. Another practice is the collection of data to gain an overview of the performance and security of network systems and devices.
- Analysis. The data is analysed systematically to identify patterns, risks and future threats.
- Alerts. As we have seen, security specialists issue alerts to enable a swift response to potential vulnerabilities.
- Answer. Incidents require a response, but they also require investigations so that more effective security measures can be put in place.
- Management. SIEM systems enable the centralised management of incidents, which is a key aspect of vulnerability control.
- Update. Systems must be updated regularly to tackle new threats, fix security vulnerabilities and, of course, improve their overall performance.
What are the advantages and limitations of SIEM?
Let’s now look at the advantages and disadvantages of implementing SIEM.
Advantages
- It allows for a rapid threat detection. What’s more, this happens in real time, making this security solution one of the most effective.
- Enables the event correlation through automation, which is essential for identifying suspicious behaviour or detecting complex attacks.
- Provides detailed information and records on activities relating to safety, a key aspect of regulatory compliance.
- It promotes the task automation, which has a positive impact on task optimisation and the reduction of workload.
Limitations
- A overload in the alert list due to false positives.
- It requires a a great deal of effort to set up and manage their systems, which means that specialists and time are required.
- Requires regular updates, so those in charge of IT should keep an eye out for new versions.
- It requires a large amount of data to work efficiently. If the volume of these is low, the tools may not reveal valuable information for threat prevention and response.
- It can be very expensive for small businesses.
