SIEM
SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) is a class of systems designed for centralized collection, correlation, analysis, and storage of information security events from various IT infrastructure sources. SIEM is used to detect security incidents, monitor suspicious activity, and meet audit and compliance requirements.
SIEM consolidates data from servers, network equipment, security systems, applications, operating systems, and cloud services into a single repository. Through event correlation and rule-based analysis, SIEM enables the detection of complex attacks that cannot be identified by reviewing isolated logs.
Purpose of SIEM
The primary purpose of SIEM is to provide centralized visibility into the state of information security and enable timely threat detection. The system helps security teams respond quickly to incidents, analyze root causes, and minimize potential damage.
SIEM is also used to meet regulatory requirements by providing log retention, reporting, and evidence of security controls.
Key SIEM functions
A typical SIEM platform includes the following functions:
- log collection and normalization from multiple sources
- event correlation based on predefined rules and scenarios
- incident and anomaly detection
- security event alerting and prioritization
- data retention for investigations and audits
- report and dashboard generation
These functions enable continuous security monitoring and incident management.
How SIEM works
SIEM connects to event sources such as servers, network devices, security tools, and cloud services, collecting logs in real time or at defined intervals. The collected data is normalized into a unified format and analyzed using correlation rules and analytical mechanisms.
When suspicious activity is detected, SIEM generates an incident, assigns a severity level, and notifies security specialists. All data is stored for subsequent investigation and analysis.
The role of SIEM in information security
SIEM is a core component of Security Operations Centers (SOC). It provides a single pane of glass for monitoring security events and enables a shift from reactive to proactive threat management.
In modern architectures, SIEM is often integrated with SOAR, EDR, IAM, and network security tools, forming a comprehensive security ecosystem.
Use cases for SIEM
SIEM is used in corporate IT infrastructures, data centers, cloud environments, and telecommunications networks. It is applied in the financial sector, e-commerce, industrial environments, and by service providers where data protection and regulatory compliance are critical.
The system is especially valuable for organizations with distributed infrastructures and large volumes of security events.
Advantages of using SIEM
Key advantages of SIEM include:
- centralized control of security events
- rapid detection and investigation of incidents
- reduced response time to attacks
- support for audit and compliance requirements
- increased maturity of information security processes
At the same time, SIEM effectiveness directly depends on the quality of rule configuration, data sources, and incident response processes.
FAQ
SIEM is a system that collects and analyzes security logs and events to help detect attacks and incidents.
Log management focuses on storing logs, while SIEM additionally analyzes and correlates events to detect threats.
SIEM is primarily beneficial for medium and large infrastructures, but it can also be used in smaller environments when security requirements exist.
Yes, modern SIEM solutions support the collection and analysis of events from cloud services and hybrid environments.
In certain industries and under regulatory requirements, using SIEM is a mandatory component of the security system.
