SIEM vs IDS – how are they different?

Today, technology is evolving faster than ever, which leaves businesses and organizations struggling to protect themselves from cybersecurity attacks, IDS and SIEM tools are two very popular categories of cyber security solutions that are used today. But what is the purpose of these tools and how do they differ from each other? Find out in this article from HackControl.

SIEM solutions for businesses

SIEM stands for Security Information and Event Management. A SIEM solution continuously tracks, logs and organizes security events and instances. This allows the IT staff to easily identify potential security threats and attacks before they occur or while they are in progress. SIEM solutions also make it easier to respond to security threats and report them. Some SIEM tools even use artificial intelligence to identify suspicious activity through unusual data patterns. SIEM tools are also often used to ensure compliance with government requirements in medical, financial and other fields.

How are IDS used by businesses?

IDS stands for Intrusion Detection System. This security tool monitors network activity every day and establishes a baseline. If at any point activity exceeds normal levels or anomalies in activity are detected, IDS notifies the IT staff. It’s important to understand that IDS does not do anything to prevent attacks or stop threats that are in progress, it only monitors the systems and sends notifications of suspicious activity.

SIEM vs IDS – should they be used together?

SIEM and IDS can and should be used together to provide comprehensive protection of sensitive information, devices and systems. When the two tools work in conjunction, IDS tracks activity and detects suspicious events. The information is then passed onto SIEM where it is organized and correlated, allowing IT staff to quickly analyze the suspicious security event and determine whether there’s an actual threat.

Frequently asked questions about IDS and SIEM solutions?

What is the best SIEM solution?

The best SIEM solution for your business depends on your company’s needs and budget but top SIEM tools include IBM Security QRadar, Splunk, Datadog, SolarWinds and more.

What is the difference between IDS and IPS?

IPS stands for Intrusion Prevention System. Unlike IDS, which only monitors system traffic without taking any action, IPS analyzes packet contents and prevents their delivery if they are deemed dangerous.

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    Vitaly is a principal consultant at Hackcontrol as wall as aa business and IT thought leader. He has over 15 years of experience in consulting, account management and is a specialist in cybersecurity.