Businesses are becoming increasingly reliant on technology to perform mission-critical operations. Cybercriminals are looking for any flaws in IT systems to attack. There are many ways to combat IT breaches, but one of the most crucial is the capacity to detect and respond to security incidents in real-time to minimize their impact.
The core purpose of log processing is to sift through the massive amount of data that your systems generate daily. This data needs to be stored somewhere so that it can later be analyzed for trends or issues. The issue with large amounts of data like this is that it can be challenging to make sense of it all, where log aggregation comes into play.
What Is Log Aggregation?
Log aggregation refers to the process of collecting data from various sources, whether they’re business systems or security devices (like firewalls), and storing this data in a central location for easy access and analysis by IT teams.
4 Methods For Log Aggregation
There are 4 popular methods for aggregating logs, and many log aggregation systems use a combination of these:
#1 Syslog
The system administrator sets up Syslog servers to receive logs from many systems and store them in a compact, readily queryable format. Log aggregators can read and process Syslog data directly.
#2 Event Streaming
Network protocol systems like Netflow, SNMP, and IPFIX allow network devices to share information about their operations. The log aggregator processes, analyzes, and adds the data to central log storage.
#3 Log Collectors
Log information is captured, parsed, and sent to a centralized aggregator component for storage and analysis by software agents that run on network devices.
#4 Direct Access
Log aggregators can receive logs directly from network devices or computer systems via an API or network protocol. This method requires a different integration for each data source.
Importance Of Log Analysis For Cybersecurity
Log aggregation is an integral part of modern cybersecurity because it enables IT teams to monitor all activity across their infrastructure – whether a small business with a few servers or a large-scale organization with hundreds of devices.
Without log aggregation, it would be extremely difficult for an IT team to monitor their infrastructure since there is so much activity taking place at all times. All devices and applications produce logs that need to be processed and analyzed regularly to identify any signs of a cybersecurity attack.
SIEM To The Rescue
A Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) solution is the main system that cybersecurity experts use since it combines logs, monitors them, and provides real-time alerts about possible security threats.
The SIEM aims to determine which events are security-relevant and should be analyzed by a human analyst and to deliver notifications for such events. Modern SIEMs often include sophisticated dashboards and data visualization features, allowing analysts to actively seek data points relevant to their investigations.
IT Consulting Services For Your Business
With the numerous security vulnerabilities discovered daily, it’s crucial to implement all available security solutions to keep your systems safe. This includes hiring a cybersecurity company to monitor system logs for any signs of suspicious activity.
At Upstart Cyber, we provide you with the best possible security practices and guidelines to minimize threats and make sure your business and data are protected. We maintain, review, and respond to suspicious events through log aggregation. We also offer a comprehensive package that includes fully managed IT Services.
