Managed security services have become an essential part of the IT strategies of most small to midsize enterprises (SMEs). Few SMEs have the resources or expertise to detect, prevent and respond to security threats. They also lack insight into the ever-changing threat landscape and the latest tools available to protect their IT assets.
Managed security service providers (MSSPs) deliver an array of services, including monitoring and management of security devices, intrusion detection and prevention, vulnerability scanning, and more. They offer these services in a monthly subscription model so SMEs don’t have to buy and maintain security devices and hire and retain a team of security experts.
However, SMEs with knowledgeable IT staff may wish to explore other options. Managed security information and event management (SIEM) provides IT teams with the data and insight they need to analyze and address potential threats. Managed SIEM can be a good choice for SMEs with in-house resources and complex business and regulatory requirements.
What Is Managed SIEM?
SIEM systems collect real-time log and event data from a wide range of hardware and software assets, such as network and security devices, applications, databases, and endpoints. This data is forwarded to a central console for correlation, inspection and analysis to identify any unusual patterns that could point to a security threat. As such, SIEM provides a “single pane of glass” view of data from multiple components.
SIEM systems are powerful, but they can be costly and difficult to implement and maintain. On-premises SIEM solutions require substantial upfront investments as well as ongoing expenses for maintenance and updates. Implementing SIEM and integrating it with other hardware and software can take weeks or months. SIEM systems must also be carefully configured and tuned to prevent an overload of alerts and false positives.
Managed SIEM eliminates the need to deploy and manage the SIEM platform and supporting infrastructure. The MSSP handles those tasks so organizations can capitalize on SIEM’s benefits without the headaches.
Related but Different Solutions
Managed SIEM and managed security services are related in that they’re both delivered by an MSSP. However, managed security services are a broader set of offerings that are designed to provide comprehensive coverage across multiple domains. MSSPs conduct risk assessments and develop a security strategy, and use well-developed methodologies to safeguard their customers’ IT environments.
Managed SIEM is much more limited in scope, focusing on aggregating and analyzing data for real-time alerting and incident detection. While the MSSP monitors and manages the SIEM platform, the customer is responsible for interpreting the data collected by SIEM, responding to alerts and handling incidents. As such, the organization needs IT staff with the skills to handle these tasks.
Many MSSPs use managed SIEM solutions as part of their managed security offerings, applying their expertise to better protect their customers’ environments against emerging threats. Generally speaking, customers gain greater benefits from managed security services that leverage managed SIEM than from managed SIEM alone.
Managed SIEM Use Cases
Managed SIEM can be the right tool for organizations that require sophisticated analytics, incident investigations and reporting. It is valuable for detecting insider threats, preventing data exfiltration, securing IoT devices and more.
Organizations that must comply with government and industry regulations can benefit from SIEM’s centralized log management, audit trails and automated compliance reporting. SIEM can also monitor security controls and policies to ensure they are effective and aligned with the organization’s requirements.
Verteks offers managed SIEM as well as a comprehensive suite of managed security services. Our experts can assess your environment, analyze your needs and determine the best mix of solutions to protect your organization. Give us a call to schedule a confidential consultation.
