SIEM systems take data from different log files, such as those for firewalls, routers, web servers, and intrusion detection systems, and then normalize the data so it can be compared. SIEM systems are highly valuable in helping to spot attacks by sifting through raw log file data and coming up with relevant information.The normalization process involves processing the logs into a readable and structured format, extracting important data from them, and mapping the information to standard fields in a database.Answer the following question(s):
Would a SIEM system be valuable if it did not normalize data? Why or why not?
Does an organization that uses a SIEM system still need a human analyst? Why or why not?
Fully address the questions in this discussion; provide valid rationale or a citation for your choices.
Full Answer Section
For example, a firewall log might record an IP address, a time stamp, and a type of event, such as a connection attempt. A web server log might record a different set of information, such as a user name, a URL, and a time stamp. Without normalization, it would be difficult for a SIEM system to correlate these two events and determine if they are related.
Does an organization that uses a SIEM system still need a human analyst? Why or why not?
Yes, an organization that uses a SIEM system still needs a human analyst. SIEM systems are powerful tools, but they are not perfect. They can generate a lot of false positives, and they can miss real attacks. A human analyst is needed to review the data from the SIEM system and make sense of it. The analyst can also investigate any suspicious activity and take steps to mitigate the threat.
For example, a SIEM system might generate a notification that there has been an increase in failed login attempts from a particular IP address. The human analyst would need to investigate this event to determine if it is malicious or not. The analyst might look at other data from the SIEM system, such as the user's login history, to see if there is any other suspicious activity. The analyst might also contact the user to see if they are aware of the failed login attempts.
In addition to investigating suspicious activity, human analysts can also use SIEM systems to improve their security posture. For example, the analyst can use the data from the SIEM system to identify patterns of attack and develop new security controls to mitigate those threats.
Here are some additional thoughts on the value of SIEM systems and human analysts:
- SIEM systems are a valuable tool for detecting and responding to security incidents, but they are not a silver bullet. They require human analysts to interpret the data and take action.
- Human analysts are essential for understanding the context of security events and making informed decisions about how to respond.
- SIEM systems and human analysts are complementary tools that can be used together to improve an organization's security posture.