NIST SIEM requirements and standards - definition & overview

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) produces guidance on security information and event management (SIEM). These are standards for dealing with data and systems breaches for which log data can be leveraged to gather more information.

Founded in 1901, the National Institute of Standards and Technology produces compliance guidance and standards on a number of products and fields.

For cyber security organizations that have to collect/store security-related data and provide real-time analysis of security breaches, much of how they conduct their security procedures will have to be in line with the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA). NIST develops standards and guidance that directly correspond to the requisites outlined in FISMA.

NIST works directly with the US government’s Secretary of Commerce in order to certify approval for their Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS). These standards can then be allocated to the public to ensure that organizations are in line with FISMA standards.

NIST provides support and measurements to small businesses as well as enterprise-level organizations.

SIEM merges two cyber security methods, SEM and SIM, into one unified solution.

SIEM software is a unified management and integration layer that sits on top of your security and detection infrastructure. As organizations scale and grow, they deploy more hardware, applications, and endpoints which, in turn, increase computer logs. For each security tool, application, or service in your system, your SIEM will collect and integrate all the computer-generated log data captured by each tool and display them in real-time through easy-to-read formats.

As well as providing real-time analysis on security threats throughout your infrastructure, businesses now use SIEM platforms to help make log data, which can be difficult to parse through, easier to digest. This makes it easier for security teams to search for, analyze, and dismantle cyber security threats.

Below are a few common log management issues that organizations face and that SIEM solutions will help solve:

• Effectively balancing a limited quantity of log management resources with a continuous supply of log data

• Log generation and storage processes can become complicated when there are too many log sources, inconsistent log content and formats, and increasingly large volumes of log data

• Because log management involves protecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability of logs, organizations have to constantly ensure that their security systems and networks are congruent with log management guidelines and standards.

• It becomes increasingly difficult for organizations to parse through logs that have been created weeks or months in the past, which will get in the way of a company’s ability to perform forensic analysis.

Cutting-edge SIEM solutions, like Sumo Logic, allow organizations to overcome all these challenges with confidence and ease.

With a certification from the Secretary of Commerce, NIST publishes their guidance on log data in order to assist and support technology-related organizations in the US.

Below are some of the key takeaways from the NIST Guide to Computer Security Log Management.

• Organizations should establish policies and procedures for log management.

• Organizations should prioritize log management appropriately throughout the organization.

• Organizations should create and maintain a log management infrastructure.

• Organizations should provide proper support for all staff with log management responsibilities.

• Organizations should establish standard log management operational processes:

  • Monitoring the logging status of all log sources

  • Monitoring log rotation and archival processes

  • Checking for upgrades and patches to logging software, and acquiring, testing, and deploying them

  • Ensuring that each logging host’s clock is synched to a common time source

  • Reconfiguring logging as needed based on policy changes, technology changes, and other factors

  • Documenting and reporting anomalies in log settings, configurations, and processes

Whether you’re an enterprise-level organization or a medium-sized cyber security team, you’re going to have to ensure your SIEM tools and solutions meet NIST requirements and standards.

With Sumo Logic, you’re working with a cutting-edge SIEM solution that will guarantee your log management systems are congruent with all current and ongoing guidelines and standards. You can learn more about log management in our guide.

Sumo Logic’s smart software can streamline the compliance process for your organization, so you don’t have to get bogged down by the tedious task of manually ensuring your data-management processes are in compliance with standards and measures.

Try Sumo Logic today.

How often are NIST SIEM requirements and standards updated?

NIST SIEM requirements and standards are typically updated to reflect technological changes, cybersecurity threats and best practices. NIST generally recommends regularly reviewing and updating security measures, including SIEM requirements, to ensure they remain effective against evolving threats and vulnerabilities.

What is NIST Special Publication (NIST SP)?

NIST SP guidelines provide detailed requirements and standards to help organizations develop, implement and maintain effective SIEM solutions that align with industry best practices and regulatory compliance. Following NIST SP guidelines is essential for organizations looking to harden their security posture, mitigate risk and improve incident response capabilities.

Is adhering to NIST SIEM requirements and standards necessary for compliance with regulatory requirements?

Adherence to NIST SIEM requirements and standards is crucial for meeting both regulatory and corporate compliance requirements, such as NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF). It’s important to keep in mind that compliance ensures meeting specific requirements that are often a baseline, and does not mean security measures are adequate enough to protect against malicious actors. Following the guidelines set by NIST is a basic requisite for aligning security measures with information security best practices.