How MDR & SIEM Work Together
Having a basic understanding of Managed Detection and Response (MDR) and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) is important for strengthening your cybersecurity operations.
Should you choose MDR over SIEM or vice versa?
If you’re looking for a superior cybersecurity solution, you’re going to need both.
Let’s start by breaking down what each is, and how they are related.
SIEM
Security Information and Event Management, or SIEM, is a tool that draws a holistic view of your company’s IT operations. It collects logs from your networks, systems, devices, and infrastructure. Then, using threat intelligence and multiple sets of rules, the logs are analyzed by the SIEM to identify potential attacks.
SIEM software is a crucial part of your cybersecurity ecosystem. It lumps data from various systems to analyze in order to spot unusual behavior and possible cyberattacks. In short, it serves as a data collector, database, and reporting system for most of your cybersecurity posture.
Some basic capabilities of a SIEM are log aggregation, security monitoring, and threat detection. Some SIEM solutions use AI to automate manual processes related to threat detection, investigation, and incident response.
MDR
As the name suggests, Managed Detection and Response is cybersecurity monitoring with detection and response capabilities built into it. MDR is typically an external service that provides detection of malicious activity in your network and assists in rapid response to eliminate threats.
MDR can utilize multiple cybersecurity tools, including a SIEM to protect your digital assets. In fact, MDR would lack full visibility and not even be fully effective if it did not have a SIEM or equivalent solution to rely on.
Having a preventative form of cybersecurity such as a firewall isn’t enough to prevent hackers from accessing your assets. Because MDR proactively hunts for threats (rather than just reacting to them), it reduces the likelihood of long-term damage.
MDR services are outsourced from a company like Sedara to contain threats so you and your business can focus on daily operations. It combines the knowledge from a team of experts that are available 24x7x365, with the latest security technologies to ensure around-the-clock protection.
Why You Should Use Both
The goal of a SIEM is to aggregate logs and detect attacks. MDR goes further by delivering a rapid response using the information provided by the SIEM, in conjunction with various other technologies and resources.
The biggest difference between MDR and SIEM is that SIEM is a tool, and MDR is a service that wraps around the tool.
Together, MDR and SIEM provide the depth needed to accomplish effective threat detection and response demands.
Contact Sedara today. Not only can we assist you with SIEM and MDR, but we provide comprehensive assessments and full cybersecurity programs.
Learn More About MDR & SIEM
Discover how you can use MDR & SIEM in our Whiteboard Series’ video: Cybersecurity Maturity Concept for SIEM & MDR.
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