Navigating the SIEM Consolidation: Key Questions 

The SIEM market is in flux. Mergers, acquisitions, and vendors leaving the space are creating uncertainty for organizations that rely on SIEMs as the cornerstone of their security operations.

If your organization is feeling the ripple effects of this consolidation, it’s time for a SIEM checkup. This means critically examining your current SIEM stack and vendor relationship to ensure they’re still serving your evolving security needs. To help you through this process, here are some criteria to consider when thinking about migration and three essential questions to ask your SIEM vendor and yourself.

Make Sure Your SIEM is Keeping Up

Some legacy SIEM vendors are struggling to keep pace with the rapid advancements in the cybersecurity landscape. They’re failing to innovate, leaving their clients saddled with outdated technology that can’t handle the complexities of modern threats. In some cases, vendors are even announcing end-of-life for their SIEM products, forcing organizations into disruptive migrations.

This lack of innovation and investment in legacy SIEMs is causing increasing frustration among clients. Many of these systems are simply not equipped to meet current requirements, let alone support the future needs of a dynamic security environment. The backlog of enhancement requests and unmet promises on product roadmaps are symptoms of a deeper issue.

Handling the Data Deluge

The attack surface is constantly expanding, and organizations require visibility into an ever-growing number of telemetry sources. The volume and variety of data generated by modern IT environments, especially with the widespread adoption of cloud technologies, are overwhelming many legacy SIEMs.

These older systems, often designed primarily for on-premises deployments, struggle to ingest and analyze cloud data sources efficiently. Integration with cloud environments can be cumbersome, expensive, and inefficient, leading to blind spots and missed threats. Moreover, the average SOC tech stack now includes around 75 products, further exacerbating the data deluge and complexity.

Switching SIEM Vendors: Understanding the Impact

The SIEM market consolidation presents both risks and opportunities. Migrating to a new platform is undeniably a complex undertaking. You’ll need to consider factors like vendor lock-in, support, integration complexities, and the potential disruption to your security operations during the transition.

However, there’s a silver lining. The consolidation offers a chance to re-evaluate your SIEM usage and potentially optimize costs by right-sizing your deployment and licensing. In some cases, the cost savings realized can even offset the expenses associated with migrating to a new SIEM platform.

Furthermore, the consolidation is driving a shift in how we perceive the role of the SIEM. It’s evolving from a centralized log repository into a real-time threat detection and analytics platform. This change opens doors for streamlining your security operations and focusing your resources on high-value activities like threat hunting and incident response.

What Questions Should You Ask Your SIEM Vendor?

When evaluating SIEM vendors, ask these three critical questions to guide your decision-making:

1. What is the potential new vendor’s cybersecurity strategy, and is it aligned with yours?

• Ensure the vendor’s vision for the future of SIEM complements your organization’s security goals and priorities.
• Ask about their roadmap for innovation and how they plan to address emerging threats and technologies.
• Gauge their commitment to staying ahead of the curve and providing solutions that meet your long-term security needs.

2. How much have you invested in your current SIEM, and how customized is it?

• Understanding the level of investment and customization in your existing SIEM is crucial for assessing the potential challenges and costs associated with a migration.
• Inquire about any custom integrations, parsers, or rules you’ve developed in your current SIEM and how these might be replicated or replaced in a new SIEM solution.
• Evaluate whether the current level of customization is necessary or if a more standardized approach with a new vendor might offer better long-term efficiency and cost savings.

3. What can a new vendor do to keep your costs in check?

• Discuss the vendor’s pricing model in detail, especially regarding data ingestion, API calls, and any additional features or functionalities.
• Ask about their approach to cost optimization and how they can help you right-size your SIEM deployment and licensing.
• Inquire about potential cost savings through features like data tiering, advanced analytics, and automation, which can help streamline your security operations and reduce manual effort.

The SIEM market consolidation is an ongoing process, but it’s also an opportunity to strengthen your security posture. By asking the right questions and carefully evaluating your options, you can select a SIEM that aligns with your strategy, optimizes costs, and empowers your team to combat modern threats effectively.

Don’t hesitate to seek expert guidance if you’re unsure where to start or need assistance with the evaluation and migration process. Remember, the right SIEM can be a game-changer in your cybersecurity journey.Watch the webinar to learn more.