Owned siem vs managed siem: what is the difference?
25 Oct 2021
Organizations today are reliant on hundreds of devices connected to ensure operations. It is chaotic to ensure the security of the workloads and data across all the devices or endpoints of an IT infrastructure. Here is where SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) comes into the picture.
Why do we need a SIEM?
SIEM monitors, analyzes, and detects suspicious activities. It alerts experts to take prompt action based on correlation and analysis of events. It performs primary functions, including:
- Continuous monitoring & alerting
- Log Management
- Correlation and analysis of events
- Detection and response to suspicious user activities and
- Adherence to compliance (e.g.: General Data Protection Regulation guidelines or ISO guidelines)
All these functions ensure pre-emptive detection and response to suspicious activities before they escalate to a disastrous cyber incident.
What are the different buying options for SIEM?
There are two options when getting a SIEM – you can either purchase a SIEM license or get it managed by a security vendor. Buying a license would require you to have appropriate infrastructure whether you are deploying it on-premises or on cloud. It demands specialized cybersecurity expertise to commission, configure, manage, and monitor SIEM.
What is Managed SIEM?
Managed SIEM is when an organization outsources the monitoring and management of SIEM to a cybersecurity vendor with experts who are well-versed in best practices associated with commissioning, managing, and monitoring SIEM.
The benefits of Managed SIEM services
The benefits of choosing Managed SIEM over owning a SIEM:
Access to dedicated expertise
Through managed SIEM services you get access to specialized security expertise for deployment, configuration, analysis of logs, monitoring of alerts, incident investigations, response, etc.
Ease of deployment
You can speed up your deployment with the right infrastructure to handle massive amounts of data brought by security experts who are managing your SIEM.
Saves from cost of deployment
Since you won’t be buying a license, you can save the cost of deployment and with added benefits from managed SIEM service, you can improve your chances for better ROI!
Can leverage technology
With managed SIEM services you can gain access to cybersecurity technology and tools brought by security vendors that could be costly if bought separately.
Own SIEM vs Managed SIEM: What is the difference?
Apart from the excessive cost of maintaining a SIEM, a certain level of expertise required to get full value from a SIEM solution. As per research by ISC2, over 92% of experts reported a cybersecurity skills shortage in their organization.
Most organizations struggle with bridging the skills gap, making it highly challenging for them to manage, monitor, and configure SIEM solutions with industry best practices required in many guidelines recommended by regional and global standards. To give you an idea, here is an overview of some SIEM guidelines in global standards:
| Compliance Standard | References |
| HIPAA | 45 CFR 164.308 (a)(1)(ii)(D), 164.312(b) Audit Controls |
| NIST 800-171 | Requirement 3.3 -AUDIT AND ACCOUTNABILITY |
| ISO27001 | Table A 12.4 |
| FISMA | AU Audit Controls |
| PCI DSS | Requirement 10 |
SIEM specific cybersecurity activities that are expected in the global standards
Log management
Collection and retention of logs from multiple sources. For example, as per the PCI-DSS guidelines, they must retain logs for at least one year, and in HIPAA this can go up to 5 years.
File Integrity Monitoring
Continuous tracking for changes in files and registry to quickly detect malicious activity or any unauthorized modification.
Baseline Security Improvement
Automated continuous assessment of system configuration against the recommended best practices.
Periodical Reporting
Generation of reports based on periodical security assessments.
Pros and Cons of Owning a SIEM vs Managed SIEM
| Owned SIEM | Managed SIEM | |
| Pros | Data stays on-site Greater control Control over team | 24×7 Specialized Expertise Possibility of higher ROI on SIEM due to specialized expertise Saves Time on deployment Saves Money on purchasing and maintaining SIEM Easy to customize Shorter learning curve Quick to integrate Compliance friendly Adaptable Lesser false positives (reduces the possibility of alert fatigue) |
| Cons | Prohibitive costs Learning curve – time inducive Limited/delayed integration |
Data is off-site |
SharkStriker’s Managed SIEM services
SharkStriker’s managed SIEM services are tailored to offer businesses with increased ROI on their SIEM through seamless optimization based on industry best practices, assisting businesses or optimal performance, reduction of false positives, round-the-clock support, and compliance management.
Our Managed SIEM services are delivered through our highly robust open-architecture platform STRIEGO which offers a range of benefits.
