Importance of Secure Orchestration, Automation and Response in SOC
On August 22, 2020
What is SIEM and how is it relevant?
SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) collects data logs, security alerts and events and places it in a centralized server. It acts as a security log management system. Due to its centralized location, security analysts are able to access and analyze the data in real time. Additionally it creates reports through a main dashboard.
The SIEM system and SOC (Security Operations Center) team complement each other. Where SIEM is responsible for collection of data onto a centralized server, SOC provides the resources such as security operational analysts who analyze, investigate and respond to the security events.
In short, as more businesses big or small are turning digital, cyber security is a real issue that needs to be addressed. Hence it is vital to set up efficient SOCs in collaboration with SIEM systems.
Importance of SIEM in a SOC:
Due to the presence of SIEM, security analysts are spared the effort of investigating individual systems. A security analyst is able to evaluate and analyze the incidents real-time and help prevent future security attacks.
In IT networks, time synchronization is of essence because every aspect of monitoring, securing, planning, and debugging a network involves determining when events happen. For instance Network Time Protocol is a widely used tool that allows all devices in the network to be synchronized efficiently.
Once the data is collected from all the devices, Syslog or System log is used to transfer the log data to SIEMs.
Types of SIEM Technologies
User Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA), is a layer of analytics technology. It tracks normal and anomalous user behavior for users and entities such as servers, databases and devices. UEBA helps identify irregular system activities such as computers that for the first time upload large quantities of data or logins from odd network points. Such incidents are red flagged for further enquiry.
SOAR: Security Orchestration Animation Response helps companies collect threat related data and provide automated responses to low risk threats. It further enhances the efficiency of the SOC.
Conclusion
Earlier only Fortune 500 companies or Government agencies felt the need for cyber security which led to the development of the SOC. But now, even smaller companies are opting to secure their networks due to the increase in the sensitive data that needs to be recorded or stored. This led to the emergence of SIEM which works in close partnership with the SOC. The SOC team at Infopercept focuses on continually monitoring, analyzing, and actively investigating and responding to the threats. It further focuses on vulnerability testing, studying event logs, identifying threats and mitigating them apart from managing security systems, monitoring endpoints, firewalls etc.
