Used in Managed Cybersecurity Services
A managed cybersecurity services is an agreement with a company that offers the technology, processes and people to keep your digital assets safe. A company that offers this service will have security experts available 24/7 to respond to any threats and breaches that might impact your organization. This is a great option for companies that don’t have the budget or talent to maintain their own internal security teams.
Security Information Event Management (SIEM) is a software solution that collects and analyzes log data to detect and monitor security incidents. SIEM systems use collection agents to gather logs from end-user devices, servers and network equipment as well as specialized security equipment like firewalls or antivirus programs. The tools then send this data to a central management console where security analysts sift through the alerts, connecting the dots and prioritizing security events. This process can take hours or even days, depending on the complexity of your environment and the volume of information being processed.
The most important feature of a SIEM platform is the ability to identify and prioritize threats. There’s an immense amount of data generated by security equipment, and the best SIEMs utilize correlation engines to connect seemingly disparate log entries or other signals that don’t look worrisome on their own but could spell trouble when taken as a whole. Some vendors also offer advanced AI or machine learning capabilities that can further refine the data and flag anomalies that might be indicative of a threat.
What is SIEM and How is it Used in Managed Cybersecurity Services?
Another key component of a SIEM is its ability to communicate with other tools and platforms. Many systems have built-in capabilities for exporting their log data to other tools or security applications, but some require a more customized integration to bring the information together. This enables a security team to take action immediately when they spot an unusual pattern or other indicator of a potential breach.
As threats evolve, managed cybersecurity services solutions must update in order to stay current. This can be expensive, but it’s a vital part of managing your security posture. Newer systems can offer more flexible integration options and faster analysis times, enabling them to be kept updated automatically rather than requiring the time-consuming manual searches and investigations that were the norm with traditional SIEM solutions.
While traditional SIEM solutions such as IBM QRadar remain available, they can come with challenges including high costs and a requirement for a team of skilled staff to manage, fine-tune and integrate the system. In addition, they can lack user and entity behavior analytics (UEBA), which identifies patterns of normal behavior that can be used to identify anomalies. Next-gen SIEM solutions, such as Rapid7 InsightIDR and Covalence, can deliver the UEBA functionality along with other key features to improve detection and response.
Building an in-house cybersecurity team can be costly, particularly for small businesses. The expenses associated with hiring, training, and retaining cybersecurity professionals can add up quickly. Additionally, organizations need to invest in advanced security tools, infrastructure, and software to ensure adequate protection.
