From detection to response. How SIEM and SOAR are revolutionizing IT security

The growing number of advanced cyber threats is forcing organizations to look for technologies that enable the identification and tracking of incidents and the automated response to attacks in real time. In this context, solutions of the SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) and SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response) classes are gaining importance, forming the foundation of modern security operations. While both technologies share a common goal – to protect IT infrastructure – their roles differ significantly, and their cooperation can significantly increase the security level of an organization.

SIEM – get the data chaos under control

SIEM technology has been developed to help organizations cope with the huge amount of data generated by IT infrastructure. Its main task is to analyze logs and correlate events to identify potential threats. Every operation in an IT system – from logging in to transferring files – leaves a trace in the form of a log. The real value of SIEM, however, is its ability to combine these logs to look for patterns that might indicate an attempted security breach.

For example, a SIEM system may detect suspicious activity, such as multiple login attempts in a short period, which could indicate a brute-force attack. In more advanced implementations, the system uses machine learning algorithms to identify anomalies even when they are not defined by static rules.

SOAR – automation of response to threats

While SIEM focuses on detecting threats and providing information, SOAR provides tools to automate incident response. The technology integrates with an organization’s various security systems – from SIEMs to firewalls to Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions. As a result, SOAR enables automated actions that previously required manual intervention by specialists.

For example, if SIEM detects suspicious activity, such as login attempts from an unknown IP address, SOAR can automatically block that address in the firewall, notify the security team and create a ticket in the ticket system. All of these actions are performed in real time, significantly reducing response time to threats.

SIEM and SOAR in practice

• Ransomware attacks – SIEM can detect patterns indicative of the initial phases of an attack, such as massive file changes or suspicious network traffic. SOAR automatically isolates the infected device, preventing ransomware from spreading.
• Phishing – if a suspicious email is detected, SOAR can block the link, mark the email as phishing, and reset the password of the user who clicked on it.
• Suspicious logins – when SIEM identifies login attempts from an unusual location, SOAR can enforce two-factor authentication and block access until the user’s identity is verified.

A new standard of protection

Combining the capabilities of both technologies creates an integrated security ecosystem. This approach increases the operational efficiency of SOC (Security Operations Center) teams and raises the level of protection against threats. By deploying SIEM and SOAR, organizations can better deal with the dynamically changing threat landscape while minimizing risk and increasing resilience to attacks.