What Is Security Information & Event Management? (SIEM)

What Is Security Information & Event Management? (SIEM)

Coming to the end of my risk management series promoting the principles behind Cybersecurity Awareness Month we are going to be discussing SIEM or Security Information and Event Management!

So far we have discussed MFA, EDR, PAM, Vulnerability Scanning and Penetration Testing and lastly we will be discussing one of the most effective tools in reducing cyber risk and something that should be part of every IT team’s toolkit, SIEM!

SIEM or Security Information Event Management is an platform used by security teams which integrated monitoring, data analysis . along with the ability to respond to threats. It uses multiple sources of information both internal and external to proactively defend the business against threats.

SIEM is comprised of various different components that helps with the task which include:

Real Time Monitoring – SIEM platforms allow businesses to monitor systems in real time in order to alert the business and the respective IT professionals of any “security events” or indeed suspicious activity by users or external actors.

Collection of Data – SIEM allows for the collection of data using multiple sources and both internal and external. Internal including EDR systems, Vulnerability Scanning, Firewalls and other Cloud Services. External being the constant monitoring of existing and new threats.

Data Analysis – After the data is collected SIEM allows for the analysis of that data and can provide correlations on that data to help IT teams understand patterns in behaviour and any potential security threats.

Incident Response – Whilst SIEM mainly functions as an “alert system” there is also functionality to help respond to threats automatically when certain parameters are met. Allowing the business to defend the business from cyber attacks without the need for a human in the loop.

Reporting – Along with the data collection and analysis, SIEM also provides reporting functions allowing the business to report and reflect of any cyber incidents and also provide evidence to regulatory bodies that they are compliant in keeping data safe such as the ICO under the GDPR framework.

How Does SIEM Help Businesses Prevent Cyber Attacks?

We’ve learnt above what tools form part of SIEM as a platform but how does SIEM help businesses in preventing future cyber attacks?

Advanced Detection of Threats – By having real time monitoring, SIEM allows business to detect threats early and can stop cyber attacks in their tracks before threat actors are able to compromise systems and access sensitive data.

Reporting & Compliance – With SIEM having a reporting function, it allows businesses to carry out robust reporting on the digital security of the firm, not only does this assist with reporting to other areas of the business but also helps with regulatory obligations and the defence against regulatory action showing the business is taking data security seriously.

Automated Incident Response – Having an element of automated incident response built into the platform such as blocking IP addresses, ensuring MFA is used and isolating devices that have been compromised. This can help take the workload off of IT teams by providing immediate response to security threats with no need for manual intervention helping to minimise the impact of security breaches.

Proactive Risk Management – SIEM provides a vital role by being proactive rather than reactive when it comes to cyber risk. By monitoring internal and external threats, SIEM allows businesses to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to existing and emerging threats and deal with them before the firm’s systems become compromised.

Overall, SIEM plays a critical role in helping businesses defend against attacks. By providing a centralized platform for monitoring, detecting, and responding to threats, SIEM enables organisations to maintain a strong security posture, ensuring that they are equipped to protect sensitive data, comply with regulations, and respond to incidents with speed and precision.

Get in touch to see how the Jensten Technology, Media & Cyber team can help you with your Cyber Risk Management strategy!

George Grimshaw

Senior Account Executive (Cyber & Technology)

Jensten Insurance Brokers

07900 598771

[email protected]

[email protected]

Scott Davies

Senior Underwriter | Cyber | DUAL UK

3 周

I think you should keep putting these out there, George. Always good to pass on the knowledge.

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