Should IDS and SIM/SEM/SIEM be used for network intrusion monitoring?

Is it enough just to monitor log data, or does that data need to be fed into a SIM/SEM/SIEM product in order to ease the data analysis process? Network security expert Mike Chapple weighs in.

Mike Chapple, University of Notre Dame

Is it enough just to analyze log data, or it is necessary (or beneficial) to have IDS feed to SIM/SEM as well? Will correlated logs provide me with enough information to pinpoint a security issue or will signature-based IDS provide me with an additional view, which cannot be determined just with logs?

Generally speaking, a SIM/SEM/SIEM network intrusion monitoring system is an enhancement to an existing IDS. It...

Step 2 of 2:

You forgot to provide an Email Address.

This email address doesn’t appear to be valid.

This email address is already registered. Please log in.

You have exceeded the maximum character limit.

Please provide a Corporate Email Address.
- I agree to TechTarget’s Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and the transfer of my information to the United States for processing to provide me with relevant information as described in our Privacy Policy.
Please check the box if you want to proceed.
- I agree to my information being processed by TechTarget and its Partners to contact me via phone, email, or other means regarding information relevant to my professional interests. I may unsubscribe at any time.
Please check the box if you want to proceed.

will store and further process the logs generated by the IDS and allow you to correlate IDS entries with other security events, such as vulnerabilities detected by a network scanner. The use of a SIM/SEM/SIEM can greatly reduce the amount of time spent reviewing log records by automating the task.

That said, SIM/SEM/SIEM devices are expensive. If you don't have the budget to purchase a good SIM/SEM/SIEM, you're probably better off doing network intrusion monitoring yourself than installing a marginal quality SIM/SEM/SIEM. Less sophisticated systems integrate with fewer of your security devices, require more extensive configuration and maintenance and will probably increase the total cost of ownership.

You shouldn't lose any data between your IDS and your SIM, but it's always a good idea to monitor log data and keep IDS logs as a backup in the event the SIM malfunctions or becomes unavailable.

For more information:

Learn how to mine enterprise SIM logs for relevant security event data.
Don't have a SIM? Find out how to check for attack data on network logs without SIMs

This was last published in April 2009

Essential Guide

Should IDS and SIM/SEM/SIEM be used for network intrusion monitoring?

Is it enough just to monitor log data, or does that data need to be fed into a SIM/SEM/SIEM product in order to ease the data analysis process? Network security expert Mike Chapple weighs in.

Dig Deeper on SIEM, log management and big data security analytics

security information and event management (SIEM)

Sumo Logic Continuous Intelligence report details the 'state of the stack'

Security Think Tank: Intelligence-led security demands planning ALREADY USED

Security Think Tank: Intelligence-led security is more efficient and effective