The threat landscape in today’s digital world continues to expand and become thornier. Some of the most popular types of attacks staged by cybercriminals are malware, especially ransomware, and distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks. The attack surface is also expanding due to the increasing adoption of endpoints, creating more entry points for hackers to stage breaches.
Malware attacks often use phishing emails as their attack vector. DDoS attacks use weaponized bots to overwhelm your company’s network with requests. Insider threats and data breaches are also prevalent forms of attack.
To safely navigate this landscape, companies need to find more sophisticated ways to detect cyber threats. That’s where security information and event management (SIEM) comes in. With SIEM, companies can detect threats, analyze them in real time, and respond to incidents.
But how does SIEM work?
Key Components of SIEM
Security information and event management software has key components that are designed to detect and respond to cyber threats.
Log management and collection
SIEM combines security information management (SIM) with security event management (SEM). Security data is tracked and logged for compliance audit purposes.
Real-time event correlation and analysis
The SIEM monitors and analyzes events in real time so threats can be identified before they can cause harm. Network traffic and user behavior anomalies can be detected and analyzed using AI to automate manual processes. Using customized correlation rules, SIEM can alert administrators of threats so they can respond appropriately.
Incident response and reporting
SIEM uses advanced analytics to automate incident response processes. By automating threat response, SIEM solutions can stop a cyberattack in its tracks.
Proactive Threat Hunting With SIEM
Companies can no longer afford to take a reactive approach to cybersecurity. SIEM plays a major role in carrying out a proactive security strategy through threat hunting. SIEM leverages threat intelligence feeds to detect and identify emerging threats.
With SIEM, companies can get ahead of cybercriminals by monitoring security events. Once events have been detected, they can be logged. The SIEM software then aggregates and correlates the log data.
Using AI, SIEM can analyze and prioritize potential threats. SIEM analytics also help companies conduct forensic investigation of security incidents. Log data from all the company’s digital assets is collected and analyzed so that incidents can be recreated, new activity can be investigated, and more effective security measures can be developed.
Techniques for Cyber Threat Detection in SIEM
SIEM software uses several techniques for detecting cyber threats.
Signature-based detection
Every type of attack has a signature. This signature is like a fingerprint that can be used to identify a type of malware by the unique pattern it makes in network activity. The SIEM uses threat intelligence and information in incident logs to identify the signatures of known threats.
Anomaly detection
SIEM can use analytics to detect unfamiliar or suspicious network traffic patterns that could signal a threat. AI can be used to interpret these suspicious patterns to determine if they are a true threat and how they should be responded to.
User behavior analytics
Behavioral analytics enable SIEM to uncover user behavior patterns that deviate from the norm and might signal an attempt at a breach.
SIEM has advanced capabilities and integrations, including machine learning (ML) and AI integration. A SIEM solution can also integrate with other security tools, such as intrusion detection software (IDS), intrusion prevention software (IPS), and antivirus. Some SIEM solutions are cloud based.
Best Practices for Implementing SIEM
When adopting SIEM, your company should define clear security objectives. Understanding these goals will help you select the right SIEM solution. Implementing SIEM should be part of the process of building an effective log management strategy. Working with the right technology partner will help you follow best practices for deploying your SIEM solution.
Pegasus Technology Solutions offers threat detection to companies in the Dallas Fort Worth area and beyond as part of our Security Solutions. We take a 2-pronged approach to security through our Security Solutions, providing both prevention and remediation.
We offer advanced threat detection, analytics-driven cyber protection, and secure network-access control, preparing your organization to take a proactive approach to cyberattacks.
