Soc Vs. Siem: The Differences & Roles Of Each

soc vs siem
As cyber threats become more sophisticated, businesses look for solutions to secure their reputation, data, and stakeholders from attacks. SIEM systems detect threats and send alerts by collecting and correlating data for analysts to respond to risks.
You won’t have a SOC without a SIEM. A security operations center (SOC) brings technology and analysts together. Together, they detect, analyze, and respond to cyber security risks. But what is the difference between a SIEM and SOC?
Let’s dig deeper into SOC vs SIEM.

Let’s Start With SIEM

SIEM is an acronym for Security Information and Event Management software. SIM is a collection of tools that provide the information needed to assist security teams in detecting threats and managing security incidents.
SIM stands for security information management. And, SEM is an acronym for security event management. Together, they provide a continuous, real-time view of an organization’s IT infrastructure.
SIEM systems monitor IT environments by collecting and analyzing log and event data from various sources to detect unusual activity. Security teams are then notified of any threats, allowing them to respond and investigate effectively.

Does SIEM Have Limitations?

There are many benefits of SIEM, and it is a powerful solution for organizations of all sizes because of its ability to identify evolving cyber threats. However, deploying a SIEM solution does not guarantee complete protection because there are some limitations.
The Garbage In / Garbage Out problem
It may appear that the more data and logs you collect, the clearer the picture the SIEM will provide. But, unfortunately, the exact opposite is true.
The adage “garbage in/garbage out” applies to SIEM. Many organizations feed the SIEM every security event and log, only to find themselves drowning in data and alerts. SIEM only adds to the noise in these cases rather than cutting through it.
There May Be False Positives
False positives are unavoidable because a SIEM may generate thousands of alerts per day. Although they do not require immediate attention, an expert must examine them to ensure that they are not legitimate ongoing attacks that require attention.
Time-Consuming and Costly
A SIEM solution requires round-the-clock, 24/7 monitoring, regular maintenance, and configuration, a sizable task. As a result, dedicated, full-time experts are needed. This, combined with the complex and time-consuming task of managing and maintaining a SIEM, can be a time and financial drain.

What Is a SOC?

While SIEM is a set of tools used to identify, monitor, record, and analyze security events, a SOC complements this technology with the required management resources. This includes a team of dedicated security experts who use SIEM tools to monitor an organization’s IT infrastructure, search for threats, and respond to any attacks as soon as possible.
Organizations that use a SOC provide themselves with an additional line of defense against attacks. This is regardless of whether they are internal or external, the time of day, or the type of attack.
It also means the business can handle more incidents. This also limits the amount of damage a cyber-attack can do to a company’s reputation, finances, and operations.

Do I Need My Own SOC?

Organizations can invest in their own dedicated SIEM and SOC, run entirely in-house by full-time employees. Still, many prefer to outsource their cyber security by partnering with a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP).
There are a few benefits to using an MSSP.
You can outsource Managed SOCs entirely, or the MSSP can collaborate closely with your in-house security team.

The SOC Triage

Level 1 analysts are in charge of monitoring security alerts in real time, triaging them, and determining whether an alert is serious enough to be escalated to a Level 2 analyst. A well-designed incident response triage process reduces analyst fatigue, improves response time, and ensures that only genuine alerts are escalated to the “investigation or incident” level.
The unsettling reality is that you may not recognize it when you see it, because the latest attacker tools and techniques are becoming increasingly stealthy and can often hide in plain sight. The trick is to look at your network and operations through the eyes of an attacker, search for key indicators and areas of vulnerability before they are exploited. And it all boils down to how well you can handle incident triage.

What Are SOC Tools?

The size of your operations determines the tools required for your SOC. For example, security monitoring systems are the core systems in a SOC. You will also need an incident management tool.
If you run a small business and rely on automated software for security monitoring, you should look for detection and response systems that are packaged together. The tools you select are related to what it is you feel you need to protect yourself against.
Here are some of the protection elements you will need to think about:
This may seem like a long list, but many can be covered using a single toolset.
SIEM software accounts for only a tiny portion of total enterprise security spending worldwide. Gartner estimates global enterprise security spending will reach nearly $98.4 billion in 2017, with SIEM software accounting for approximately $2.4 billion. Furthermore, Gartner forecasts that spending on SIEM technology will increase modestly, reaching $3.4 billion in 2021.

Where Do I Start with SOC vs SIEM?

Considering SOC vs SIEM, data protection has become increasingly important as more firms go online and people work remotely. Rather than hiring an on-site IT worker, collaborate with the experts at US IT Services.
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