Make cybersecurity easy: simplify your SIEM search

Is your organization considering investing in a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) platform? Do you know where to begin? Thankfully for your organization, there are steps you can take to simplify your search. To further assist you, the following are a few recommended steps that you take when journeying through your SIEM search:

• Figure out where you are in your journey: To get started, you must first be aware of your organization’s needs. Do you need to satisfy a compliance standard (e.g., PCI DSS, Graham Leach Bliley, etc.) and automation? Do you need a Security Operations Center (SOC) to assist you in answering detections? The key to starting this process is establishing what your pain points are, so you can begin to direct your search accordingly. 
• Know the various SIEM types: There is more than one type of SIEM in the market. Legacy SIEMs typically only ingest your security logs without many additional features, like deep and dark web protection or threat intelligence feeds. However, a Next-Gen SIEM discovers threats, malfunctions, and IT operations failures in real-time and ingests log and flow data. Next-Gen SIEMs typically give you additional security features and lots of built-in compliance reporting tools.
• Make a list of needs/demands: After assessing your organization’s pain points, create a list. Separate the list into two categories: the needs and the wants. There is a big difference between the two, so figure out what features your organization needs to operate seamlessly and consider these the non-negotiable demands. In that same vein, list a few wants; these are features that are not critical to your SIEM experience but would be nice to have included. 
• Determine use cases: The next step is to finalize your list by assessing your use cases. Will your IT team need to use a SIEM for compliance and reporting? Do you need to focus more on threat detection? Do you need additional security features that extend your protection to the deep and dark web? The key to narrowing down your options is to know what goals your organization wants to achieve with a SIEM platform. 
• Conduct market research: Research at least two SIEM companies. Take a look around at their website, videos, and features. Does it match your list of requirements? If not, you may need to reassess your needs; if so, you are halfway there.
• Request demos: Once you have found a few SIEMs that could potentially fit your needs, request a demo of the platform. Demos are a great way to take a more in-depth look at the platform, learn its capabilities, and receive all the clarity you seek. 
• Process of elimination: Once you have shopped around and demoed a couple of viable SIEM platforms, it’s time for the process of elimination. If there are any platforms, which after learning more, do not fit your non-negotiables, cross them off the list. The fewer options you have to weigh, the easier it will be to make an informed and practical decision. 
• Proof of Value (PoV): This step is the most important and needs significant consideration. Any SIEM that does not allow you to do a Proof of Value (PoV) should be eliminated; there must be a reason they are not allowing a no-cost, no risk, at least two-week PoV with their SIEM. An informed decision is based on facts; ensure that you have weighed all options and that your needs guide the decision.

The key to a successful SIEM search lies within your determination, needs, and decision-making skills. Once you have found the perfect SIEM, take a deep breath and trust that your cybersecurity journey is going in the right direction. Following these few simple steps will guide your SIEM search and ensure that your cybersecurity journey will result in a groundbreaking experience for your organization.