The Critical Task For This Assignment Is To Prepare A Techni

The Critical Task For This Assignment Is To Prepare A Technical Feasib

The critical task for this assignment is to prepare a technical Feasibility Assessment in 4-5 pages (MS Word) listing the features of a SIEM tool and comparing several vendors and then make a final SIEM tool recommendation. The technical assessment must consider the security requirements detailed below. Management commonly will need technology recommendations and related cost, an operational assessment, and an economic feasibility assessment; however, for this assessment both operations and cost are not an issue. For this technical feasibility assessment, use the security requirements and template below to provide management with your own unique feasibility assessment for 3 tools.

· Title page (does not count towards the 4-5-page requirement)

· 1.0 Purpose – This section must identify each option and the technical feasibility (or likelihood) of each option meeting the SIEM security requirements identified below

· 1.1 Option #1: Describe the 1st SIEM tool option and how it aligns with security requirements

· 1.2 Option #2: Describe the 2nd SIEM tool option and how it aligns with security requirements

· 1.3 Option #3: Describe the 3rd SIEM tool option and how it aligns with security requirements

· 1.4 Select the Preferred option from the above 3 SIEM solutions and for the selected option address the following:

  • Explain the technical feasibility for the selected SIEM solution
  • Explain how the selected SIEM solution addresses the security requirements
  • Explain the technical risks in selecting any one of the SIEM solutions

Summary/Conclusion

Security Requirements for the SIEM Tool

The vendor’s product must:

  1. Perform Log Collection
  2. Provide Log Management
  3. Provide a product that analyzes and correlates network activity
  4. Provide a SIEM solution which can generate or be compatible with a ticketing system
  5. Provide the ability to meet audit requirements with monitoring and alerting capabilities

For each option, you must provide a detailed description of the proposed SIEM option, considering its technical description and features.

The use of tables within the document is recommended to perform the tool comparisons. Title page and reference page are not included in page count. Document formatting, citations, and references must follow APA format. The AIU APA Guide includes sections for paper formatting, as well as reference and citation examples. For example, 250 words equals one page of content.

Paper For Above instruction

The increasing sophistication of cyber threats necessitates the deployment of robust Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools within organizational security architectures. This paper aims to evaluate three SIEM solutions—Splunk Enterprise Security, IBM QRadar, and ArcSight—based on their technical features and alignment with critical security requirements. The assessment concludes with a recommended solution grounded in technical feasibility and security compliance.

1.0 Purpose

The purpose of this feasibility assessment is to analyze three SIEM tools’ ability to satisfy essential security features including log collection, log management, network activity analysis and correlation, compatibility with ticketing systems, and compliance with audit and regulatory requirements. Each option’s technical alignment with these security criteria will be evaluated to identify the most suitable SIEM solution for organizational needs.

1.1 Option #1: Splunk Enterprise Security

Splunk Enterprise Security (Splunk ES) is a widely adopted SIEM solution characterized by its comprehensive log collection and management capabilities. It ingests large volumes of log data from various sources via agents and APIs, facilitating real-time security monitoring. Splunk’s powerful correlation engine enables analysis of network activity suspicious patterns, supporting early threat detection.

Splunk’s integration with IT service management (ITSM) and ticketing systems, such as ServiceNow, enhances incident response workflows. Its alerting system confirms compliance with audit requirements by generating detailed reports and dashboards, which can be customized according to regulatory standards like GDPR or HIPAA. The platform’s scalability ensures it can handle enterprise-level security data volumes, making it a strong candidate for environments with stringent security demands.

1.2 Option #2: IBM QRadar

IBM QRadar is a comprehensive SIEM platform renowned for its advanced analytics and ease of integration. QRadar performs automated log collection from numerous data sources, including network devices, servers, and applications, consolidating security events into a unified platform. Its real-time correlation engine identifies complex attack patterns by analyzing network flows and log data simultaneously.

QRadar is compatible with various ticketing systems through built-in integrations, enabling automated incident tracking and response coordination. The system supports detailed audit logs and generates compliance reports aligned with legal requirements such as PCI DSS and SOX. Furthermore, QRadar’s scalability and modular architecture allow organizations to extend capabilities as needed, supporting long-term security needs.

1.3 Option #3: ArcSight

Micro Focus ArcSight offers extensive log collection and management features, primarily focusing on threat detection through behavioral analysis. Its event correlation engine processes logs from diverse sources, detecting anomalies indicative of security breaches. ArcSight’s analysis tools support network activity correlation, enabling analysts to understand attack vectors comprehensively.

ArcSight integrates with various ticketing systems, including BMC Remedy and ServiceNow, to streamline incident management. Its alerting mechanisms facilitate compliance with audit standards by providing detailed logs and real-time alerts. The solution’s architecture supports scalable deployment, suitable for enterprise environments with evolving security technologies.

1.4 Preferred Solution and Technical Feasibility Analysis

Selected Solution: IBM QRadar

Based on the comparative analysis, IBM QRadar is recommended due to its robust analytical capabilities, seamless integration with existing security infrastructure, and proven compliance support. Its architecture allows flexible deployment options, including cloud and on-premises, aligning with organizational IT strategies.

Technical Feasibility

QRadar’s ability to perform comprehensive log collection and management, combined with advanced correlation features, makes it highly technically feasible to meet all security requirements. Its scalable architecture effectively handles increasing data volumes without significant performance degradation. Additionally, QRadar’s integration with ticketing systems ensures efficient incident management, thereby supporting operational security workflows.

Addressing Security Requirements

  • Log Collection & Management: QRadar consolidates logs from diverse sources in real time, facilitating centralized management.
  • Network Activity Analysis & Correlation: Its correlation engine analyzes network traffic and event logs, identifying patterns indicative of malicious activity.
  • Ticketing System Compatibility: Built-in integrations automate incident reporting, aligning with operational workflows.
  • Audit & Compliance: QRadar generates structured reports, audit logs, and alerts to meet regulatory standards efficiently.

Technical Risks

Potential technical risks encompass integration challenges with legacy systems, which may require custom connectors, and resource-intensive deployment that demands high-capacity hardware environments. Further risks include potential false positives in alerting, necessitating fine-tuning of detection rules to avoid alert fatigue, and the complexity of managing scaling as network infrastructure expands.

Conclusion

Implementing a SIEM platform is essential for strengthening organizational security posture against evolving cyber threats. Among the evaluated options, IBM QRadar stands out for its comprehensive analytical features, scalability, and compatibility with operational requirements. While challenges exist in integration and resource allocation, these are manageable within a structured implementation plan. QRadar's alignment with security standards and ability to automate incident management processes make it the optimal choice for organizational cybersecurity resilience.

References

  • Bershad, B. (2021). Evaluating SIEM Solutions: An In-Depth Analysis. Cybersecurity Journal, 15(3), 102-115.
  • IBM. (2023). IBM QRadar SIEM. Retrieved from https://www.ibm.com/security/security-intelligence/qradar
  • Micro Focus. (2022). ArcSight ESM Overview. Retrieved from https://www.microfocus.com/en-us/products/arcsight/overview
  • Splunk Inc. (2023). Splunk Enterprise Security Features. Retrieved from https://www.splunk.com/en_us/software/enterprise-security.html
  • Gartner. (2022). Magic Quadrant for SIEM, 2022. Gartner Research.
  • ISO/IEC. (2013). ISO/IEC 27001:2013 Information security management systems — Requirements.
  • ISO/IEC. (2018). ISO/IEC 27002:2018 Code of practice for information security controls.
  • European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA). (2021). SIEM Deployment and Best Practices. ENISA Reports.
  • National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). (2018). Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity. NIST Special Publication 800-53.
  • Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) Buyer’s Guide. (2022). TechTarget.

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