We've all done it before — searched for instructions on something we feel like we should be able to do ourselves. Whether it's how to tie a bow tie, how to change your oil, or how to repair a smartphone, people are constantly looking to do things for themselves. Naturally there are tasks beyond our actual ability, but can you blame any of us for trying? We have the information, resources, and always the desire to save money. That being said, one of the things that is likely beyond DIY abilities is combating cyberattacks for your business.
There are a seemingly unlimited number of cybersecurity solutions created to help businesses protect the personal and financial information of their customers. These services are best supported by cybersecurity companies, but far too often business owners and IT managers look to buy the tools and attempt to do it themselves. But can you really learn everything you need to about technologies like SIEM and then defend against cyber-attacks?
This blog will explain why you not only need cybersecurity tools, but also cybersecurity vendors to provide you with effective solutions.
SIEM Systems Need Constant Management
Depending on the SIEM system, there are different approaches for cybersecurity monitoring and protection. No matter if the SIEM tool is made by Intel, IBM, or Fortinet, the overall goal of being notified of attackers is the same. However, one may have a larger range of coverage for devices and log types, while another may have a specific log manager that picks up different events. Whatever it may be, the solution will collect information and present an analysis, but to optimize your security there should be someone managing the system full-time.
Let's say you want to build a shed in your backyard to protect some equipment and toys from the rain, and you have a hammer, plenty of nails, wood, and a few other tools. Unfortunately, nothing will get done if you don't pick up the hammer. While it is great that you have the necessary tools and supplies, but you will never build a shed to protect your equipment and toys if no one is utilizing the tools. It is the same with these SIEM services, or tools — without full-time personnel, ideally from a professional cybersecurity company, you are at risk of missing critical notifications and real threats.
Why Cybersecurity is not a DIY Product
If you don't necessarily think this is the case and you feel confident that you'll be able to check up on the program every now and again, you might want to reconsider. There were 668 million breaches in the U.S. just last year alone (the year before, there were over 1.5 billion breaches); this means that over 668 million times confidential information was exposed without permission. Also, 38% of the world's cyberattacks are targeted at the United States. While we are legally required to secure our customers' information, these numbers alone highlight the magnitude of the problem and the necessity to invest in a solid cybersecurity company's services. With a constant attack from unseen sources, are you really all that confident that you'll be able to manage it all yourself?
Let's again assume you are determined in doing this all yourself. Are you proficient in programming Java or C/C++? Do you understand web application technologies? Linux operating systems? Telephony technologies (analog and Voice over IP)? Okay, well…maybe you don't but you can learn, right? If that is the case, are you planning on learning on the fly from a couple of online videos? We don't want to discourage you from learning, but we need to be realistic. Installing a SIEM program and then following a manual to figure out how to make everything work is about as easy as putting a 4th grader, who is just able to read decently well, into a college-level biology and expect them to do be successful. The information is right in front of them, but can you really expect that?
Maybe we aren't giving you enough credit and you actually do understand all of these things — if that is the case, good for you for sticking with this blog and reading all the way to here — but can you handle reading all the analyzed data for every device for your entire company every day? That's where the benefit of hiring a cybersecurity company to manage the entire SIEM system for you comes into play. Not only will you have a service that is customized to your business, but you will also have a team of experts constantly reviewing your system for dangerous activity. With just the SIEM tool at your disposition, you may be alerted when a breach is detected but what will you do from there? A Managed Security Provider like this will not only notify you but also assist with a solution.
The wisest approach when you are looking to improve your company's cybersecurity is to not only purchase one of the many tools that are on the market, but make sure you also have a cybersecurity company on your side providing you with all the support you need.
There are a seemingly unlimited number of cybersecurity solutions created to help businesses protect the personal and financial information of their customers. These services are best supported by cybersecurity companies, but far too often business owners and IT managers look to buy the tools and attempt to do it themselves. But can you really learn everything you need to about technologies like SIEM and then defend against cyber-attacks?
This blog will explain why you not only need cybersecurity tools, but also cybersecurity vendors to provide you with effective solutions.
SIEM Systems Need Constant Management
Depending on the SIEM system, there are different approaches for cybersecurity monitoring and protection. No matter if the SIEM tool is made by Intel, IBM, or Fortinet, the overall goal of being notified of attackers is the same. However, one may have a larger range of coverage for devices and log types, while another may have a specific log manager that picks up different events. Whatever it may be, the solution will collect information and present an analysis, but to optimize your security there should be someone managing the system full-time.
Let's say you want to build a shed in your backyard to protect some equipment and toys from the rain, and you have a hammer, plenty of nails, wood, and a few other tools. Unfortunately, nothing will get done if you don't pick up the hammer. While it is great that you have the necessary tools and supplies, but you will never build a shed to protect your equipment and toys if no one is utilizing the tools. It is the same with these SIEM services, or tools — without full-time personnel, ideally from a professional cybersecurity company, you are at risk of missing critical notifications and real threats.
Why Cybersecurity is not a DIY Product
If you don't necessarily think this is the case and you feel confident that you'll be able to check up on the program every now and again, you might want to reconsider. There were 668 million breaches in the U.S. just last year alone (the year before, there were over 1.5 billion breaches); this means that over 668 million times confidential information was exposed without permission. Also, 38% of the world's cyberattacks are targeted at the United States. While we are legally required to secure our customers' information, these numbers alone highlight the magnitude of the problem and the necessity to invest in a solid cybersecurity company's services. With a constant attack from unseen sources, are you really all that confident that you'll be able to manage it all yourself?
Let's again assume you are determined in doing this all yourself. Are you proficient in programming Java or C/C++? Do you understand web application technologies? Linux operating systems? Telephony technologies (analog and Voice over IP)? Okay, well…maybe you don't but you can learn, right? If that is the case, are you planning on learning on the fly from a couple of online videos? We don't want to discourage you from learning, but we need to be realistic. Installing a SIEM program and then following a manual to figure out how to make everything work is about as easy as putting a 4th grader, who is just able to read decently well, into a college-level biology and expect them to do be successful. The information is right in front of them, but can you really expect that?
Maybe we aren't giving you enough credit and you actually do understand all of these things — if that is the case, good for you for sticking with this blog and reading all the way to here — but can you handle reading all the analyzed data for every device for your entire company every day? That's where the benefit of hiring a cybersecurity company to manage the entire SIEM system for you comes into play. Not only will you have a service that is customized to your business, but you will also have a team of experts constantly reviewing your system for dangerous activity. With just the SIEM tool at your disposition, you may be alerted when a breach is detected but what will you do from there? A Managed Security Provider like this will not only notify you but also assist with a solution.
The wisest approach when you are looking to improve your company's cybersecurity is to not only purchase one of the many tools that are on the market, but make sure you also have a cybersecurity company on your side providing you with all the support you need.