Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems play a pivotal role in modern network security by aggregating data from multiple sources, including network devices and endpoints, into a centralized platform for analysis and correlation.
This centralization is crucial as it enables the detection of potential threats in real-time, making it easier for security analysts to investigate incidents promptly.
SIEM systems utilize both host-centric and network-centric log sources.
Host-centric logs capture events on individual machines, such as file access or PowerShell execution,
network-centric logs monitor interactions between hosts, covering protocols like SSH, VPN, and HTTP/S.
The significance of SIEM is underscored by its ability to handle the massive volume of events generated by network devices, correlating this data to detect threats, investigate incidents, and enhance overall network visibility.
Log ingestion is a critical process within SIEM systems, involving the collection and forwarding of logs from various devices such as Windows machines, Linux workstations, and web servers.
Each device generates logs for different activities
Windows logs can be viewed through Event Viewer
Linux logs are stored in directories like /var/log/httpd and /var/log/cron.
SIEM solutions ingest these logs using methods such as agents, Syslog, manual uploads, and port forwarding. Analysts set up correlation rules within SIEM to trigger alerts for suspicious activities, like multiple failed login attempts or USB connections.
When alerts are triggered, dashboards provide detailed insights for investigation, allowing analysts to classify alerts as true or false positives and take necessary actions, such as isolating compromised hosts or tuning rules to reduce false alarms.
This comprehensive monitoring and analysis capability makes SIEM an indispensable tool in safeguarding network infrastructure.
Summary:
- Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems centralize and correlate data from various log sources to detect and investigate security threats in real-time.
- They handle host-centric and network-centric logs, providing critical visibility into network activities.
- SIEM solutions enhance security by automating log ingestion, setting correlation rules, and using dashboards for alert analysis and incident response.