Overview of SolarWinds SIEM

SIEM, which stands for Security Information and Event Management , combines two crucial components: SIM (Security Information Management) and SEM (Security Event Management).

While SIM focuses on managing and analyzing log files for insights into potential intrusions, SEM is designed to monitor live events occurring across the network.

When assessing SolarWinds' SIEM offering, it can be challenging to navigate the terminology, as this particular product emphasizes log file analysis rather than real-time network monitoring. Consequently, it does not fit the SEM category due to the absence of live event tracking.

The SolarWinds Security Event Manager operates primarily as a SIM. It functions as a host-based intrusion detection system , scrutinizing log files for specific behavioral patterns. Notably, SolarWinds has shifted away from providing network traffic monitoring capabilities, which were present in the previous SolarWinds Log and Event Manager. The transition to the Security Event Manager led to the removal of features that integrated live netflow and sflow data.

SIM systems offer several benefits over traditional network monitors, particularly in detecting stealthy attacks where no single piece of traffic may reveal an ongoing threat. SIEM solutions are particularly effective at identifying Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) , insider threats, and incidents of data loss.

In the case of an APT, a group of hackers breaches defenses and maintains a prolonged presence within a system, potentially by compromising user account credentials. Insider threats arise when authorized users act against the organization's interests, whether intentionally due to malicious intent or inadvertently, such as being manipulated by a hacker posing as a superior. Other motivations for insider threats could include blackmail or retaliation following negative workplace experiences.

Data loss events can also happen accidentally, such as through unintentional actions by employees, or they may result from theft or deliberate sabotage. The term "data loss" refers not only to the deletion of files or physical damage to servers but also to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information.

A significant motivation for the widespread adoption of SIEM systems across various industries is the need to comply with data protection standards. These regulations require the implementation of measures to safeguard data , acknowledging, however, that the possibility of data loss events cannot be entirely eliminated.Data protection regulations establish essential reporting protocols for businesses that have experienced data breaches, enabling them to notify affected individuals about the theft of their information. Transparency regarding security incidents is crucial, often holding equal weight to the implementation of data security measures.

Another vital aspect of security regulations is system auditing . Annual third-party audits ensure that organizations adhere to specific standards, whether by preventing data theft attempts or by promptly reporting incidents when they occur. Utilizing comprehensive log files is key to meeting these three fundamental data protection criteria.

It is imperative to systematically collect and archive all system messages. The organization of the log message storage, including its directory structure and file rotation practices, should be coherent and efficient, allowing for swift data recovery. The log management system must also offer tools for rapid searching, sorting, and data aggregation.

SolarWinds SEM excels in log management capabilities and reporting formats, making it adept at demonstrating compliance with various data security standards such as PCI DSS , SOX , HIPAA , GLBA , and NERC CIP .

Initially known as the log and event manager, the SolarWinds Security Event Manager not only aggregates log messages from various sources, including operating systems and software but also generates its own logs to enhance system monitoring.

The primary function of the tool is to gather all log messages , standardize them into a unified format, and securely store these messages.

The SEM provides a real-time display of log messages as they are captured, offering a near-real-time overview of network activities. These logs are saved in a searchable format, and the SEM includes analytical tools to evaluate the data contained within the log files.

The log file manager ensures quick access to recent logs and offers archiving options for older files, with the ability to restore them as needed.

Integral to the SolarWinds Security Event Manager is the File Integrity Monitor (FIM), a crucial tool for organizations dependent on log file data for security oversight. Cybercriminals familiar with SIEM systems can easily erase traces of their actions by manipulating log files. The FIM safeguards against such tampering and can also protect other files stored in designated directories.

The File Integrity Monitoring (FIM) system meticulously tracks every user who accesses protected files, recording all related activities. It ensures the protection of log files automatically while also scanning for any malware that may threaten these files. Notably, if any malicious processes are identified attempting unauthorized access, the system is capable of terminating those processes.

A crucial aspect of Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems is threat intelligence. For log searches to be deemed valid security actions, they must serve a specific purpose, supported by a set of rules outlining potential anomalies to monitor.

SolarWinds enhances its Security Event Manager (SEM) by delivering a periodic threat intelligence feed to all active instances. This feed consists of updates that refine the search algorithms, enabling better detection of suspicious activities within log files.

Included in these threat intelligence updates are detection rules, which feature blacklists of IP addresses and domains suspected of being utilized by cybercriminals.

The SEM’s correlated logs serve as foundational data, allowing the security system to investigate anomalies flagged by the threat intelligence updates. This data is also accessible for manual scrutiny, facilitated by the powerful data search functionalities and visual representation tools integrated within the SEM console.

The automated detection system effectively identifies when an intrusion occurs, while the log analysis tool allows the technical team to delve into historical logs to uncover how the intruder initially gained access to the network.

Insights obtained from these root cause analyses empower the tech management team to pinpoint system weaknesses, enabling them to bolster the infrastructure to prevent similar breaches in the future. Furthermore, log analysis can reveal compromised user accounts .

The Security Event Manager (SEM) plays a crucial role in overseeing various security tools, especially firewalls. This interaction is characterized by bidirectional communication , allowing the SEM to respond proactively upon detecting an intrusion. It can modify firewall configurations to deny access to an intruder's IP address or block domains linked to malicious web pages or emails.

Another significant focus of the automated response mechanism is the Active Directory . The SEM can be granted permissions to suspend accounts flagged for exhibiting unusual behavior or for repeated unauthorized access attempts. Additional responses might include isolating downloads in a sandbox environment or terminating suspicious processes.

The section dedicated to threat response within the SEM is known as Active Response . This component not only coordinates with firewalls but also executes various workflows based on the nature of the identified threat.

Automated responses are triggered by the alerts generated through the analytical capabilities of the SEM. However, these responses are not entirely automatic; the user must choose to implement them, and the criteria for initiating actions can be adjusted as needed.

For system administrators who are cautious about full automation, there is the option to limit automation to sending a standard email notification in response to a detected attack. Regardless, all alerts are displayed on the system console and can be forwarded to essential personnel via emails or text messages.

Users access the SEM dashboard through a web browser, where the main interface presents a dynamic grid filled with summary data, predominantly visualized through graphs and charts.

SolarWinds SIEM Overview

Log search screens primarily display textual information instead of graphical elements, concentrating on the data retrieved from log files.

SolarWinds SIEM operates as a virtual appliance, compatible with Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services (AWS). Users aiming to deploy SolarWinds Security Event Manager (SEM) must utilize Hyper-V or VMware vSphere for installation.

The SEM agents for log collection can be deployed on various platforms, including:

• HP-UX on Itanium
• IBM AIX versions 7.1 TL3, 7.2 TL1 and later
• Linux systems
• macOS versions Mojave, Sierra, and High Sierra
• Oracle Solaris 10 and later
• Windows versions (10, 8, 7, Vista)
• Windows Server editions (2019, 2016, 2012, 2008 R2)

Accessing the console remotely is facilitated through Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox browsers.

The SEM reports module functions independently of the virtual machine and can be set up on Windows and Windows Server environments.

Key features include:

• A focus on enterprise needs with extensive integration options
• User-friendly log filtering without the necessity of mastering a custom query language
• Numerous templates enabling quick setup for administrators
• A real-time analysis tool that detects unusual behavior and anomalies within the network
• An advanced SIEM solution designed for professionals, which requires a learning period to master its functionalities

SolarWinds provides a 30-day free trial for the Security Event Manager.

Interestingly, SolarWinds opted to eliminate live network traffic monitoring from its log and event manager when developing SEM, which results in a product that does not fully align with the traditional definition of a SIEM.

For a deeper understanding of SIEM systems, refer to our guide on the top SIEM tools. If you are short on time but need alternatives to SolarWinds SIEM, consider these options:

ManageEngine Log360 (Free Trial)
This comprehensive bundle integrates various security solutions by ManageEngine, including the SIEM capabilities of the EventLog Analyzer. The package also encompasses Active Directory auditing, file integrity monitoring, and cloud service protection, running on Windows Server and available for a 30-day free trial .ManageEngine EventLog Analyzer offers a 30-day free trial and serves as the core SIEM and log management component of the Log360 suite. If you seek a more streamlined option for threat detection without the additional features of the full package, this tool is ideal. It can be installed on both Windows Server and Linux systems.

Datadog Security Monitoring is a cloud-based solution that integrates SIEM capabilities into its network monitoring services.

McAfee Enterprise Security Manager stands out as a respected SIEM tool, featuring user and entity behavior analysis that automatically adapts alert thresholds. It is compatible with macOS and Windows platforms.

Heimdal Threat Hunting and Action Center operates in the cloud, analyzing data from on-device antivirus solutions for potential threats. It provides actionable threat response instructions, including system hardening measures for unaffected endpoints and supports Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile devices running Android and iOS.

Splunk Enterprise Security is part of an established network analysis tool, offering robust security features and can be installed on Windows and Linux systems.

OSSEC is a free, open-source host-based intrusion detection system known for its log analysis capabilities. It can be enhanced with NetFlow data to provide real-time traffic analysis, functioning on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Unix.

LogRhythm NextGen SIEM Platform utilizes AI-driven machine learning techniques to adapt alert thresholds and minimize false positives. It supports installation on both Windows and Linux.

AT&T Cybersecurity AlienVault Unified Security Management is a long-standing SIEM solution that sources its threat intelligence from an open-source repository of compromise indicators. It is compatible with macOS and Windows.

RSA NetWitness offers network traffic monitoring along with analytical tools to identify intrusions, making it suitable for large enterprises. It operates on a virtual machine.

IBM QRadar is a comprehensive security intelligence platform that features a SIEM module, incorporating vulnerability scanning, threat intelligence feeds, live traffic analysis, and log management. It runs on Windows Server.

While SolarWinds Security Event Manager (SEM) is classified as a SIEM, it primarily functions as a Security Information Manager (SIM), focusing on log message analysis for signs of breaches. To fully leverage SEM as a SIEM, users can integrate live SNMP data, enhancing its capabilities.SIEM, or Security Information and Event Management, is an integrated approach that combines two key security practices.

The first practice is Security Information Management (SIM), which focuses on analyzing system log files to identify potential security threats.

The second practice is Security Event Management (SEM), which monitors real-time network activities to detect any signs of malicious behavior.

Together, SIM and SEM create a comprehensive solution known as SIEM, which helps organizations enhance their security posture.

The introduction of SIEM has led to some misunderstandings regarding the distinct roles of SIM and SEM.

To clarify, SIM is primarily concerned with sifting through historical log data for indications of threats, while SEM is dedicated to evaluating live data streams, often related to network traffic, for immediate security concerns.

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