The SolarWinds SIEM system prioritizes the administration of log files as its primary function. This is not all-inclusive security information and event management system (SIEM), but when coupled with network monitoring, it can safeguard your system.
SolarWinds is the industry standard when it comes to the provision of monitoring and management software for computer networks. The SolarWinds SIEM product has a moniker that is not immediately clear. Log files are the primary emphasis of the utility as a source of data. This activity is a feature of Security Information Management (SIM), which is a component of Security Information and Event Management (SIEM). The Security Event Management component is the other aspect of SIEM (SEM). The Security Event Manager product offered by SolarWinds is actually a SIM rather than an SEM despite the product’s name.
What exactly are the SIM and SEM components of SIEM?
Security Information and Event Management is what is meant by the acronym SIEM. It is a hybrid of the SIM and SEM approaches. SEM monitors live events happening on the network whereas SIM is responsible for managing log files and using them as a source of data for intrusion analysis.
When examining the SolarWinds SIEM solution, the fundamental concept of SIEM can be confusing because the software deals with log files rather than real network data. This makes it difficult to keep the terminology straight. Because the software does not feature any live network monitoring, it cannot be considered a security event manager (SEM).
The SolarWinds Security Event Manager (SEM) is a security information and event manager (SIM). It is a host-based intrusion detection system that looks through the activity logged in the system’s log files for predefined patterns of behaviour. SolarWinds has discontinued the ability to monitor network traffic, which was formerly available through the SolarWinds Log and Event Manager product. When SolarWinds rebuilt the Log and Event Manager to become the Security Event Manager, they removed the option to integrate live NetFlow and sFlow data into the security monitor.
SIM systems have a lot of advantages over network monitors due to the fact that many forms of assaults are carried out covertly and that not a single piece of traffic may indicate that such an attack is taking place. SIM systems are able to detect and prevent these types of attacks. SIEM systems are typically designed to hunt down Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), as well as insider threats and events involving data loss.
A group of hackers is considered to be posing an advanced persistent threat when they are able to bypass conventional boundary protections and establish a long-term presence within the system. Obtaining the credentials of a user account could be one way to accomplish this. Threats posed by insiders occur when an authorised user of the system makes the decision to act in a manner that is detrimental to the company. It’s possible that this happened by accident because a hacker impersonated a supervisor and tricked the person into performing the deed. Blackmail and a feeling of animosity towards the organisation after being passed up for a promotion or being disciplined are two other factors that can contribute to an insider making a threat.
An occurrence that results in the loss of data could have been caused by an accident, the result of an employee being deceived, or even flagrant theft or destruction performed on purpose. The term “data loss” refers to both the actual erasure of data, which can occur when files are removed or when physical damage is done to servers, as well as the inappropriate dissemination of data.
Reporting on compliance obligations
Existence of data protection requirements is one of the primary driving causes for the adoption of SIEM systems by all different sorts of enterprises. Despite the fact that these standards mandate the implementation of data protection safeguards, they do not fully anticipate that there will never be an instance in which data is lost.
The data protection guidelines define the reporting procedures that affected firms can follow in order to notify individuals whose data was taken from their system of the occurrence of the breach. It is almost as crucial to be honest about a breach as it is to protect sensitive data.
System auditing is the subject of the third essential component of security protection requirements. An annual audit by an independent party is carried out with the intention of establishing whether or not the organisation has remained in conformity with a particular standard. This can be accomplished either by preventing any and all attempts at data theft or by promptly reporting an event once it has taken place. Utilizing log files to their maximum potential allows one to successfully satisfy all three of these data protection standards requirements.
It is necessary to gather and store all of the system’s messages. The directory structure and file rotation mechanism of the log message store ought to be a logical and ordered system that makes it easy to retrieve data quickly. This is one of the requirements for the log message store. The log management ought to additionally have utilities that enable users to search for data, sort it, and aggregate it fast.
SolarWinds SEM is equipped with very capable log management functionalities and report formats, which enables it to demonstrate compliance with a variety of data security requirements. These standards include PCI DSS, SOX, HIPAA, GLBA, and NERC CIP, among others.
An explanation of the SolarWinds Security Event Manager
The Log and Event Manager was the initial name for what is now known as the SolarWinds Security Event Manager. In addition to collecting log messages that were generated by operating systems, firmware, and software, the security monitor also generates its own log messages that contribute to the monitoring of a system. These log messages can be found in the system.
Log manager
The primary objective of the tool is to gather all of the log messages that are now accessible, combine them with one another by re-formatting them into a standard format, and then save those messages.
The SEM will immediately notify you of any newly detected log messages by displaying them live on the console. This provides the system with an almost real-time perspective of what is happening on the networks. After that, the files are saved in a format that can be searched, and the SEM comes with tools to analyse the data recorded in log files so it can be analysed.
The log file manager has features that allow for immediate access to recent logs, as well as archiving for older log files and a way for restoring them whenever they are required.
File integrity monitor
Any company that conducts its security monitoring based on the contents of log files absolutely needs to make use of the File Integrity Monitor (FIM), which is an integral part of the SolarWinds Security Event Manager. If a hacker is aware of a SIEM system, as all of them are, all they have to do to remain hidden is read log files and destroy any trace of their activities. The File Integrity Monitor prevents alterations to log files and can also safeguard any other kind of file or files that are stored in particular directories.
The FIM keeps a log of all access events and records the usernames of anyone who navigates to a protected file. Log files are automatically protected by the FIM, which also checks for malicious activity in the files themselves. When malicious processes are found attempting to access a file, the service has the ability to terminate them.
Feeds of intelligence on potential threats
The definition of a security information and event management system (SIEM) emphasises the importance of threat intelligence. Log searches have to be directed toward a particular goal in order for them to count as a security action, and having a rule base with abnormalities that should be looked out for gives those searches more meaning.
All instances of the Security Event Manager that are currently active receive, on a regular basis and over the internet, a threat intelligence feed that is supplied by SolarWinds. Adjustments to the search algorithms employed by SEM to detect suspicious behaviour when scanning through log files are the source of this stream, which arrives in the form of log files.
Backlists of IP addresses and domain names that are thought to be the bases of operations that hackers utilise are included in the detection rules that are delivered along with the threat intelligence updates.
Analyses used in forensics
The SEM correlated logs offer primary data that the security system can search in relation to the irregularities that are brought to light by the rules that are passed along with the threat intelligence feed. This data can also be manually analysed, which can be made easier with the help of the data search tools and graphical data representation tools that are made available in the Security Event Manager dashboard.
An intrusion will be discovered by the automatic detection system; however, the log analyzer will allow the technical team to investigate previous records in order to hunt for proof of the intruder’s first attempt to enter the network.
The technical management team is able to detect system vulnerabilities thanks to the information obtained from these root cause investigations. This allows the team to strengthen the infrastructure so that it can better withstand attempts similar to the one that was investigated. Log analysis can also be used to identify a user account that has been compromised.
An automated response to incidents
It is possible for the Security Event Manager to keep an eye on other security measures, particularly firewalls. The interaction with firewalls is a channel that goes in both directions. Because of this, the SEM is able to respond appropriately whenever an incursion is discovered. Changes to the firewall rules can be made by the system in order to prevent access to an intruder’s IP address or to prevent access to a domain that is the origin of infected web pages or emails.
Active Directory is the primary focus of the automatic response in a similar way. It is possible to give the SEM permission to suspend user accounts that have been determined to be the origin of the unusual activity or repeated efforts to get unauthorised access to files. The sandboxing of downloads and the termination of programmes that appear to be malicious are two further possible reactions.
Active Response is the name of the section of the Security Event Manager that deals with responding to potential threats. This module is able to connect with firewalls and also perform additional workflows depending to the type of threat that has been identified based on the information that has been gathered.
The alerts that are produced as a result of the analytical procedures of SEM serve as the triggers for the automated reactions. The response is not predetermined in any way. It is up to the user to decide whether or not automated replies should be activated, and the rules that trigger actions can be altered.
System administrators who are sceptical of automation have the ability to scale back the level of automation until it consists of nothing more than an automated email template that is delivered in response to a recognised attack. In any event, the alerts will be displayed in the system interface, and they can also be sent as emails or text messages to relevant personnel if necessary.
dashboard provided by SolarWinds Security Event Manager
A browser is required in order to access the Security Event Manager’s dashboard. The primary screen of the console displays a crowded grid of summary data, with the majority of the information being shown in the form of graphs and charts.
The majority of the content on the screens that display log search details is made up of text rather than graphics. The records that have been extracted from the log files are the primary focus of these screens.
Options for configuring SolarWinds SIEM can be found here.
SolarWinds SIEM is an example of a virtual appliance because it is run on a virtual machine. Both Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure offer the ability to install the software on their respective server platforms (AWS). Those who wish to install SolarWinds Security Event Manager will be required to operate the software on either Hyper-V or VMware vSphere.
The following devices will have SEM agents installed for log collection:
HPUX running on Itanium
IBM AIX 7.1 TL3, 7.2 TL1, and later versions are supported.
• Linux
• macOS Mojave, Sierra, High Sierra
Oracle® Solaris 10 and subsequent versions only
• Windows (10, 8, 7, Vista)
• Server Microsoft Windows (2019, 2016, 2012, 2008 R2)
Both Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox are capable of providing users with the ability to remotely access the console.
The SEM reports module runs independently of the VM and is compatible with both Windows and Windows Server environments. It can also be installed on their respective platforms.
Pros:
• Enterprise-focused security information and event management system with a diverse array of integrations
• Easy filtering of logs, without the need to learn a specialised query language.
• Dozens of templates make it possible for administrators to begin utilising SEM with minimal initial configuration or personalization.
• The real-time analysis tool aids in the identification of abnormal patterns of behaviour and network outliers
Cons:
• SEM is a sophisticated SIEM product designed for industry specialists; it takes some time to become fully proficient with the platform.
SolarWinds Security Event Manager Substitutes and Alternatives
When they developed the Security Event Manager, SolarWinds made the curious decision to ditch the live network traffic monitoring capabilities of their Log and Event Manager. This indicates that the SolarWinds SIEM is not actually an application of the traditional concept of a SIEM to its fullest extent.
Please refer to our article titled “The Best SIEM Tools” for additional information regarding the functionality of SIEM systems. In the event that you do not have the opportunity to read that post, but you are interested in receiving recommendations on other SIEM systems, the following is a list of the most effective alternatives to SolarWinds SIEM.
1. ManageEngine EventLog Analyzer (FREE TRIAL) A log manager and analyzer that is quite comparable to SolarWinds Security Event Manager in its functionality. This is a SIM that can be converted into a full SIEM solution by integrating live network traffic data from OpManager into its functionality. Windows, Windows Server, and Linux are all supported platforms for the installation. Log360 is yet another potent log tool that comes from this stable. A free trial period of thirty days is available for both of these tools.
2. Datadog Security Monitoring and Reporting A cloud-based network monitor may be equipped with this SIEM-based security solution as an additional monitoring option.
3. McAfee Enterprise Security Manager (McAfee ESM) A highly acclaimed SIEM product that automatically adjusts alert thresholds by analysing the behaviour of users and entities alike. It is compatible with Windows as well as macOS.
4. Splunk Enterprise Security A well-known network analyzer provides access to a variety of security capabilities. Both Windows and Linux are supported for installation.
5. OSSEC A free and open-source host-based intrusion detection system that is particularly effective when it comes to log analysis. This can be improved with a feed from NetFlow, which will provide real-time analysis of traffic in addition. It is compatible with the Mac OS, Linux, and Unix operating systems.
LogRhythm NextGen SIEM Platform is the number six spot. This solution utilises AI to power its machine learning capabilities, allowing users to customise their alert thresholds and cut down on the number of false positives they receive. Both Windows and Linux are supported for installation.
7. Cybersecurity provided by AT&T Management of Unified Threats with AlienVault Unified Security Long-running security information and event management system (SIEM) that obtains its threat intelligence from an open-source record of indicators of compromise. It is compatible with Windows as well as macOS.
8. RSA NetWitness A traffic monitor for the network that also includes analytical capabilities for detecting infiltration. Suitable for large businesses. A virtual machine is used to power it.
9. IBM QRadar A security intelligence platform that has a SIEM module as one of its components. The SIEM provides functions like as vulnerability scanning, realtime traffic analysis, log management, and a feed of threat intelligence. Windows Server is what it’s running on.
