Managed SIEM - Definition & Overview

Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) software solutions are used by business organizations of all sizes to detect and respond to potential IT security threats. The defining feature of SIEM tools is that they gather information from all IT assets on the network in the form of event logs and present that information in a single interface where a skilled security analyst can manipulate and organize the data to identify Indicators of Compromise (IoC).

SIEM technologies combine the features of two types of legacy IT security tools:

• Security Event Management (SEM) software, which is used to analyze event, application and system logs in real-time.
• Security Information Management (SIM) software, which is used to retrieve and analyze log data and generate structured reports according to specified parameters.

With the combination of these two features, SIEM tools offer real-time incident monitoring and threat detection capabilities along with streamlined features that enable manual analysis of security logs and events.

Managed SIEM is an alternative to on-premise deployment, setup and monitoring of a SIEM software solution where an organization contracts with a third-party service provider to host a SIEM application on their servers and monitor the organization's network for potential security threats. Organizations choose Managed SIEM for their corporate security needs to deploy faster, reduce setup and training costs and leverage the expertise of cyber security specialists.

Cyber security is a growing concern as the number of high-profile data breaches climbs every year and even small and medium-sized organizations are recognizing a greater need to secure their IT assets against external threats. When it comes to deploying a SIEM tool, organizations can choose to setup and monitor an on-premise SIEM tool or to contract with a third-party for Managed SIEM services.

About Managed SIEM Services

There are several strategic benefits that lead organizations to partner with a third-party Managed SIEM provider, including:

Outsourced security expertise - Managed SIEM providers are focused on enterprise security as their primary value driver. They hold a wealth of cyber security expertise that can be leveraged to enhance IT security for their customers.

Strategic partnerships - Managed SIEM providers are well-connected within the cyber security industry, including with other major security technology vendors. This gives them access to more tools, resources and expertise, along with the latest innovations and timely alerts about the latest detected threats.

Reputation - A well-reputed Managed SIEM provider offers a proven track record of securing its clients from cyber attacks through effective setup and monitoring of security tools. Managed SIEM can give you peace of mind that your business security is being managed by industry-leading experts.

The business case for Managed SIEM centers on the reduction of cost and the ability to leverage outsourced security expertise to help manage security operations and protect the business from cyber security threats and data breaches.

Reduced SIEM deployment costs - if an organization choose to deploy a SIEM tool on-premise, it must purchase the IT infrastructure needed to support the deployment. For small or medium-sized businesses, purchasing additional IT assets to support a SIEM deployment can be expensive. With Managed SIEM, organizations simply pay a monthly subscription fee.

Streamlined daily security operations - Managed SIEM providers offer the core services of SIEM, such as security monitoring and incident response, but they can also take over tasks that your in-house SecOps team would normally be responsible for. Delivering monthly security reports, installing patches and updates, managing compliance, maintaining the SIEM configuration and asset inventory functions can all be offered by Managed SIEM providers.

Rapid deployment - Managed SIEM providers have existing infrastructure in place to facilitate a rapid deployment of your SIEM solution. Instead of customizing your own SIEM deployment (What assets to purchase, how to configure, who to assign for monitoring, how to train them, policies and procedures, etc.), you may consider partnering with a Managed SIEM that has developed the know-how to deploy SIEM quickly and efficiently to start protecting your IT infrastructure.

Access to expertise - Leading Managed SIEM providers maintain a skilled staff of cyber security experts that will collaborate to analyze your enterprise security logs, investigate incidents and provide threat detection and response services. Managed SIEM is a cost effective alternative to recruiting, hiring, training and managing your own team of cyber security experts.

Access to technology - Managed SIEM providers use industry-leading tools to offer the best standard of security for their customers. These technologies might cost your organization hundreds or thousands of dollars to license annually, but your Managed SIEM provider will implement them to protect your IT infrastructure as part of your normal subscription fee.

What is Siem as a Service? SIEM as a Service SIEM service is a collection of SaaS tools that provide real-time incident monitoring and threat detection. Using real-time correlation and data log analysis tools, SIEM as a service provides a centralized solution for automating your security log information and threat detection.

What's the difference between a Managed SIEM and a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP)?

The most basic Managed SIEM providers host your SIEM tool, coordinate the collection of security and event logs and report on the results. These providers may manage a centralized SIEM that is used to monitor the networks of multiple customers, or they may choose to configure and manage individualized SIEM platforms for each of their customers.

An MSSP typically offers a greater variety and level of service. In addition to hosting and managing a SIEM tool, they may play a more prominent role in analyzing log data and investigating security threats. They may also offer an expanded suite of services, including things like anti-malware software and vulnerability scanning.

When choosing whether to contract with a Managed SIEM provider or MSSP, the most important thing is to assess their overall service offerings to ensure you're getting good value-for-money and security coverage that complements the capabilities of your existing SecOps team.

Sumo Logic is a cloud security analytics platform that helps organizations of all sizes enhance their capabilities in IT infrastructure security monitoring, operational analytics and business intelligence. Our platform incorporates the features of industry-leading security technologies, including event monitoring, log analysis and incident response, along with high-tech extras like machine learning and big data analysis. Sumo Logic can be your first cloud SIEM, replace a legacy SIEM tool, or work in tandem with your existing SIEM software solution.