Intro to SIEM (Security Information and Event Management)

1. What is SIEM?
SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) is a
cybersecurity solution that provides real-time monitoring, analysis,
and response to security threats by collecting and correlating logs
from various sources. It helps organizations detect, investigate, and
mitigate security incidents effectively.
2. Key Functions of SIEM
 Log Collection: Gathers logs from multiple sources, including
firewalls, antivirus software, intrusion detection systems (IDS),
and endpoint devices.
 Event Correlation: Analyzes collected logs to identify patterns
that indicate potential security incidents.
 Real-Time Alerts: Generates alerts based on predefined rules to
notify security teams of potential threats.
 Threat Intelligence Integration: Uses external threat
intelligence feeds to improve detection capabilities.
 Incident Response & Forensics: Helps investigate security
incidents by providing historical event logs and reports.
 Compliance & Reporting: Assists organizations in meeting
regulatory requirements like GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and ISO
27001 by generating audit logs and compliance reports.
3. Benefits of SIEM
 Early Threat Detection: Identifies threats before they cause
significant damage.
 Improved Incident Response: Provides automated alerts and
response mechanisms.
 Regulatory Compliance: Ensures organizations meet security
standards.
  Centralized Security Management: Collects security data in a
unified dashboard for better visibility.
 Reduced False Positives: Uses machine learning and
predefined rules to minimize unnecessary alerts.

What is an Event, Incident, and Logs?

1. What is an Event?
An event is any action recorded by a system or device, such as a user
login, a file modification, or an attempt to access a restricted resource.
Events can be normal or suspicious, depending on the context.
Examples of Events:
 A user logs into their workstation.
 A firewall blocks an unauthorized connection attempt.
 A file is deleted from a server.
2. What is an Incident?
An incident is a security-related event or series of events that indicate
a potential or actual compromise of an organization's systems, data, or
operations.
Types of Security Incidents:
 Malware Infection: A computer becomes infected with a virus,
ransomware, or spyware.
 Unauthorized Access: A hacker gains access to a system
without permission.
 Data Breach: Sensitive data is accessed, stolen, or leaked.
 Denial of Service (DoS) Attack: An attacker floods a system
with traffic to make it unavailable.

3. What are Logs?

Logs are records of system activity that provide details about events
occurring within a system or network. Logs contain critical
information such as timestamps, IP addresses, user activities, and
system responses.
Types of Logs:
 System Logs: Capture operating system activity.
 Application Logs: Record software behavior and errors.
 Security Logs: Document security-related activities, such as
failed login attempts.
 Network Logs: Track network traffic and connections.
Importance of Logs in Cybersecurity:
 Helps detect anomalies and security threats.
 Provides forensic evidence for incident investigations.
 Assists in regulatory compliance audits.
 Enables threat hunting by identifying suspicious patterns.

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)

1. What is EDR?
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) is a cybersecurity solution
that monitors endpoint devices (computers, servers, and mobile
devices) for signs of malicious activity. It provides advanced threat
detection, investigation, and response capabilities to protect endpoints
from cyber threats.
2. How EDR Works
1. Continuous Monitoring: EDR agents installed on endpoints
collect data about system activities in real-time.
2. Threat Detection: Uses behavioral analysis, machine learning,
and signature-based detection to identify threats.
 3. Incident Investigation: Stores endpoint activity logs to help
security teams analyze past and ongoing threats.
4. Automated Response: Some EDR solutions can automatically
block malicious processes, isolate infected devices, and notify
administrators.
5. Remediation: Assists in removing malware, restoring
compromised systems, and preventing future attacks.
3. Key Features of EDR
 Real-Time Threat Detection: Identifies suspicious activities on
endpoints.
 Behavioral Analysis: Detects anomalies based on how users
and applications behave.
 Incident Response & Forensics: Provides deep insights into
how an attack occurred and how to prevent it in the future.
 Threat Intelligence Integration: Uses external intelligence
sources to detect known threats.
 Automated Containment: Can isolate compromised devices to
prevent the spread of malware.
 Machine Learning & AI: Uses artificial intelligence to detect
zero-day attacks and advanced threats.
4. Why EDR is Important?
 Protects Against Advanced Threats: Detects ransomware,
fileless malware, and advanced persistent threats (APTs).
 Reduces Dwell Time: Minimizes the time an attacker remains
undetected within an environment.
 Speeds Up Incident Response: Helps security teams quickly
analyze and respond to security incidents.
 Enhances Visibility: Provides detailed endpoint activity logs
for better monitoring.
  Improves Compliance: Helps organizations meet security
standards like NIST, ISO 27001, and GDPR.
5. EDR vs. Traditional Antivirus
Traditional
Feature EDR
Antivirus
Detection Method Signature-based Behavioral & AI-based
Protection Scope Known threats only Known & unknown threats
Automated response &
Response Limited to alerting
containment
Visibility Limited logging Detailed forensic logs
Incident No historical
Full investigation capabilities
Investigation analysis
6. Examples of EDR Solutions
 Microsoft Defender for Endpoint – Offers AI-powered
detection and automated response.
 CrowdStrike Falcon – Uses cloud-based analytics for advanced
threat hunting.
 SentinelOne – Provides autonomous endpoint protection with
rollback features.
 Carbon Black (VMware) – Focuses on behavioral analysis and
AI-driven threat detection.
7. Best Practices for Implementing EDR
 Deploy EDR on All Endpoints: Ensure all devices are
protected, including workstations, servers, and mobile devices.
 Integrate with SIEM: Combine EDR with SIEM for better
threat correlation and incident response.
 Regularly Update Threat Intelligence Feeds: Stay up-to-date
with the latest attack patterns and tactics.
  Conduct Threat Hunting: Use EDR logs to proactively search
for hidden threats.
 Enable Automated Response: Reduce the impact of attacks by
isolating compromised devices automatically.
 Train Security Teams: Ensure staff knows how to interpret
EDR alerts and respond effectively.

Extended Detection and Response (XDR)

What is XDR?
Extended Detection and Response (XDR) is an advanced security
technology that provides a unified approach to detecting,
investigating, and responding to cyber threats across multiple security
layers. Unlike traditional security solutions that work in isolation,
XDR integrates various security tools, such as endpoint protection,
network monitoring, email security, and cloud security, into a
centralized system.
Key Features of XDR
1. Cross-layered Threat Detection – XDR collects data from
different security layers (e.g., endpoint, network, email, cloud)
and correlates it to detect advanced threats.
2. Automated Threat Response – Automates response actions
like isolating compromised endpoints, blocking malicious IPs,
and triggering alerts.
3. Behavioral Analytics – Uses AI-driven analytics to identify
abnormal behaviors and detect unknown threats.
4. Incident Correlation – Correlates security events from
different sources to provide a comprehensive view of attack
scenarios.
5. Improved Visibility – Provides a unified dashboard for security
teams to monitor threats across all environments.
Benefits of XDR
 Reduced Alert Fatigue – By correlating security alerts, XDR
minimizes false positives and helps analysts focus on real
threats.
 Faster Threat Detection and Response – Automated and AI-
driven detection speeds up the incident response process.
 Cost Efficiency – Reduces the need for multiple standalone
security products by integrating security solutions into a single
platform.
Examples of XDR in Action
 Detecting an attacker who compromises a corporate email
account and moves laterally within the network.
 Identifying a phishing email that leads to an endpoint infection
and stopping further spread.
 Analyzing unusual cloud service access and triggering alerts
when unauthorized activities are detected.

User Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA)

What is UEBA?
User Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA) is a cybersecurity approach
that focuses on monitoring and analyzing user and entity behaviors to
detect anomalies that may indicate security threats. UEBA solutions
use machine learning, statistical models, and AI to establish baselines
of normal user behavior and identify deviations that could signal
malicious activity.
Key Components of UEBA
1. User Behavior Analytics – Tracks individual user activities,
such as login patterns, file access, and privileged account usage.
 2. Entity Behavior Analytics – Monitors non-human elements
like servers, IoT devices, and cloud applications.
3. Machine Learning and AI – Analyzes past behaviors and
identifies suspicious deviations in real time.
4. Risk Scoring – Assigns risk levels to behaviors based on
anomaly severity.
5. Integration with SIEM & XDR – Works alongside SIEM and
XDR to enhance security operations.
Benefits of UEBA
 Detects Insider Threats – Identifies suspicious activity from
employees, contractors, or compromised accounts.
 Prevents Account Takeover Attacks – Detects unusual login
locations, IP changes, and access to sensitive data.
 Reduces False Positives – Uses context-aware analysis to
differentiate between normal and malicious activities.
Examples of UEBA in Action
 A legitimate employee suddenly downloads large amounts of
sensitive data, triggering an alert.
 A service account that typically operates within a data center
attempts to access systems in a foreign country.
 A privileged user starts logging in during non-working hours
and tries to modify security configurations.

Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR)

What is SOAR?
Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) is a
cybersecurity framework that combines security orchestration,
automation, and incident response into a single platform. SOAR is
designed to enhance security operations by automating repetitive
tasks, coordinating security tools, and providing structured workflows
for incident response.
Key Components of SOAR
1. Security Orchestration – Integrates multiple security tools
(e.g., SIEM, firewalls, EDR, threat intelligence) for coordinated
incident handling.
2. Automation – Uses predefined playbooks and AI-driven
workflows to automate incident response tasks like blocking IPs
or isolating compromised devices.
3. Threat Intelligence Integration – Gathers data from threat
intelligence sources to enrich incident investigations.
4. Incident Management & Reporting – Tracks security
incidents, provides analytics, and helps teams collaborate on
remediation.
5. Case Management & Playbooks – Defines repeatable response
actions for specific threat scenarios.
Benefits of SOAR
 Increases Efficiency – Reduces manual effort by automating
common security operations.
 Improves Incident Response Time – Responds to threats in
real time by executing predefined response actions.
 Enhances Collaboration – Provides structured workflows that
help security teams work together effectively.
 Reduces Human Errors – Automation ensures consistent and
accurate execution of security processes.
Examples of SOAR in Action
 Automatically isolating a compromised endpoint when a SIEM
detects a malware infection.
  Sending alerts and generating reports when phishing attempts
are detected across an organization.
 Collecting evidence and executing predefined workflows when
a data breach is suspected.

Response and Recovery

1. Response and Recovery in Cybersecurity
Response and recovery are critical components of an organization's
cybersecurity strategy. They focus on minimizing damage and
restoring normal operations after a security incident.
1.1 Response
Response refers to the actions taken immediately after a security
incident is detected. The goal is to contain the attack, minimize
impact, and prevent further damage.
Key Steps in Incident Response:
 Detection and Analysis: Identifying and understanding the
nature of the security incident using tools like SIEM, IDS/IPS,
and log analysis.
 Containment: Isolating affected systems to prevent further
spread, such as disconnecting infected devices from the
network.
 Eradication: Removing the threat from the environment
through malware removal, patching vulnerabilities, and
terminating malicious processes.
 Recovery: Restoring systems to normal operations by
reinstalling software, restoring backups, and verifying data
integrity.
 Post-Incident Review: Analyzing the incident to improve
future responses by updating policies, training employees, and
implementing additional security controls.
Examples:
 In the case of a ransomware attack, response measures include
isolating the infected system, disconnecting it from the network,
identifying the attack vector, and using incident response
frameworks like NIST or SANS.
 In the event of a phishing attack, revoking compromised
credentials, warning affected users, and enhancing email
filtering mechanisms would be key response steps.
1.2 Recovery
Recovery involves restoring affected systems and ensuring business
continuity after an attack.
Key Elements of Recovery:
 Data Restoration: Recovering lost or compromised data from
backups and ensuring data integrity.
 System Rebuilding: Reinstalling and configuring compromised
systems with security best practices.
 Security Patching: Applying necessary security updates to
prevent recurrence and addressing vulnerabilities that led to the
incident.
 Business Continuity Planning: Ensuring that operations
resume with minimal downtime by implementing failover
strategies and redundancy mechanisms.

Examples:
 After a data breach, implementing stronger access controls,
encryption measures, and user awareness training to prevent
similar incidents.
 Restoring operations after a Distributed Denial-of-Service
(DDoS) attack by deploying mitigation tools, increasing
 network redundancy, and working with ISPs to filter malicious
traffic.

Incident Management
2. Incident Management
Incident management is a structured process for identifying,
managing, and mitigating security incidents to protect an
organization's information systems.
2.1 Key Phases of Incident Management
1. Preparation:
o Develop an incident response plan outlining roles,
responsibilities, and procedures.
o Train employees on security best practices and awareness
programs.
o Conduct tabletop exercises and red team/blue team
simulations to test incident response effectiveness.
2. Identification:
o Monitor logs, alerts, and anomalies to detect incidents
using SIEM, EDR, and behavioral analytics tools.
o Use threat intelligence feeds to identify emerging attack
patterns.

3. Containment:
o Implement immediate actions to stop the attack from
spreading, such as segmenting the network and disabling
affected user accounts.
o Quarantine infected devices, restrict access, and apply
temporary security controls.
 4. Eradication:
o Remove malicious software, unauthorized access, or
compromised credentials from affected systems.
o Perform forensic analysis to understand the attack vector,
root cause, and extent of compromise.
5. Recovery:
o Restore affected services and verify system integrity
through testing and validation.
o Strengthen defenses by updating security controls and
policies to prevent recurrence.
6. Lessons Learned:
o Conduct a post-mortem analysis to document key findings
and recommendations.
o Improve security policies, incident response playbooks,
and technical controls based on lessons learned.
2.2 Incident Classification
 Low Severity: Minor system misconfigurations, low-risk
malware detections, or policy violations.
 Medium Severity: Unauthorized access attempts, phishing
emails targeting employees, or minor data exposure incidents.
 High Severity: Data breaches, insider threats, ransomware
attacks, and Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs).
Example Scenarios:
 Detecting a brute-force attack on an administrator account and
blocking the offending IP addresses while enforcing multi-factor
authentication (MFA).
 Handling a security misconfiguration that exposes sensitive data
by restricting access permissions and implementing automated
compliance checks.
Security Forensics
3. Security Forensics
Security forensics, also known as digital forensics, involves the
collection, analysis, and interpretation of digital evidence to
investigate cybersecurity incidents.
3.1 Types of Digital Forensics
1. Network Forensics:
o Analyzing network traffic to detect unauthorized access,
lateral movement, or data exfiltration.
o Tools: Wireshark, Zeek, Suricata, tcpdump.
2. Disk Forensics:
o Examining hard drives, SSDs, and other storage devices
for deleted, altered, or hidden files.
o Tools: Autopsy, FTK Imager, EnCase, Sleuth Kit.
3. Memory Forensics:
o Analyzing RAM to detect running malware, rootkits, or
volatile evidence.
o Tools: Volatility, Rekall, DumpIt.

4. Malware Forensics:
o Reverse engineering malicious software to understand its
behavior, capabilities, and persistence mechanisms.
o Tools: IDA Pro, Ghidra, OllyDbg, Cuckoo Sandbox.
5. Cloud Forensics:
o Investigating incidents in cloud environments by analyzing
logs, access controls, and API calls.
 o Tools: AWS CloudTrail, Microsoft Azure Security Center,
Google Cloud Audit Logs.
3.2 Key Steps in Digital Forensics Investigation
1. Identification: Detecting the presence of a security breach
through log analysis, intrusion detection, and threat intelligence.
2. Collection: Gathering evidence while ensuring data integrity
using forensic imaging and secure collection techniques.
3. Preservation: Creating forensic images of disks, memory, and
logs to prevent data alteration and maintain chain of custody.
4. Analysis: Examining logs, files, and artifacts to reconstruct
attack scenarios and identify perpetrators.
5. Reporting: Documenting findings, presenting evidence in a
legal format, and providing recommendations for mitigation and
prevention.
3.3 Importance of Security Forensics
 Helps in identifying the root cause of security incidents and
understanding attacker tactics, techniques, and procedures
(TTPs).
 Provides legal evidence in cybercrime cases to support law
enforcement and regulatory compliance.
 Strengthens security by uncovering vulnerabilities,
misconfigurations, and attack techniques for proactive threat
hunting.
Example Scenarios:
 Analyzing a ransomware attack to determine the initial infection
point, encryption algorithms used, and possible decryption
methods.
 Investigating an insider threat by examining access logs, file
modifications, and user activities to detect unauthorized data
transfers.