The cybersecurity maturity model certification (CMMC) is a path toward preemptive security, in which enterprises change their attention from responding to security incidents to avoiding them in the first instance.

Most firms will wish to strive for the fourth or higher level while prepping for their CMMC evaluation, as this is the minimal need for managing CUI.

Level 3 CMMC security includes log collecting and analysis, which are critical initial steps toward proactive protection. For instance, practice AU.3.048 mandates that enterprises acquire all audit records and store them in a centrally controlled repository, whereas AU.3.051 mandates that audit log evaluation, assessment, and notification procedures be coordinated. Here, CMMC consulting Virginia Beach firm can help firms implement SIEM.

Understanding Security Incident and Event Management (SIEM)

While CMMC is explicit about which policies you must have in place to achieve a higher safety maturity tier, you have complete flexibility over how you execute them and which technologies and resources you utilize.

The mentioned CMMC security procedures, on the other hand, adequately characterize what SIEM is. Because maintaining audit logs across numerous separate systems renders it nearly challenging to link events from different systems, the crucial factor here is the aggregate administration of documents.

SIEM technologies, which are usually contracted, cloud-hosted systems, are critical components of any contemporary cybersecurity approach. Newer systems rely heavily on AI and ML to gather and analyze data to the degree that would be nearly impossible for humans to achieve alone.

Threat recognition, assessment, and alerting are the three main capabilities of SIEM. Additional functionality like analytics and incident handling, as well as log gathering, are critical.

Installing a SIEM platform is critical to passing your CMMC exam and improving your security posture for the following reasons:

#1. Data aggregation 

Data gathering and consolidation are the first steps in the SIEM process. A SIEM gathers audit log data from all of the systems that are linked to it. Networked devices, desktops, routers, DNS servers, and other items fall under this category.

Any equipment that processes potentially confidential material, whether software or hardware-based, may and should be linked to the SIEM. As a result, the SIEM will be able to capture all vulnerability information from throughout your network and store it in a centrally controlled repository in accordance with CMMC standard AU.3.048. CMMC consultant suggests DoD contractors to emphasize on SIEM.

#2. Normalization of data

The next step in the SIEM process is to normalize the data acquired in order to provide a consistent perspective of your security activities, as required by CMMC standard AU.3.051. This gives the system total visibility into your network activities, allowing it to detect irregularities rapidly.

Because the vast volume of log files makes manual examination unfeasible, SIEM utilizes event normalization to establish a baseline for regular network activity. If something odd occurs, the incident will be reported to the SIEM process’s next level. In addition, the SIEM successfully converts logs into a standardized and human-readable format, providing you with a comprehensive picture of what’s going on in your network.

#3. Data analysis

A rudimentary SIEM solution may provide only alerts. On the other hand, more advanced systems use machine learning and artificial intelligence to analyze log data at scale. Anomaly occurrences may then be addressed right away and submitted to a security professional for manual evaluation if necessary. Moreover, an AI-powered platform builds complete danger profiles by continually learning from prior occurrences.

A comprehensive, enterprise-grade SIEM solution’s data collection and analysis are critical in preemptive vulnerability identification. This makes it easier to combat more complex assaults like advanced persistent threats (APTs), allowing you to reach higher CMMC security levels.…