What are the core functions of a SIEM system?

A Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system is designed to aggregate and analyze security data from across an organization’s IT infrastructure. The core functions of such a system include log collection, event correlation, and real-time monitoring.

Log collection is fundamental as it involves gathering logs from various sources, such as servers, firewalls, and applications, to provide a comprehensive view of activities within the network. This data forms the basis for further analysis.

Event correlation refers to the process of analyzing the collected logs to identify patterns or anomalies that may indicate security incidents. By correlating events from different sources, a SIEM can help security teams detect complex threats that might not be apparent when looking at isolated logs.

Real-time monitoring enables organizations to continuously observe their security environment, allowing for the rapid identification and response to incidents. This function is crucial for maintaining an proactive security posture, as it helps to mitigate potential threats before they escalate.

The other choices involve functions that, while important in the realm of cybersecurity, do not encompass the primary focus of a SIEM system. Data backup, network scanning, file encryption, user authentication, intrusion detection, malware analysis, phishing detection, threat intelligence, and data recovery are important security measures or practices, but they do not represent