What is 24×7 log monitoring, you ask? A lot of cyber insurance companies are posting this as a question in their questionnaire to determine your premiums and insurability.
What is 24×7 Log Monitoring?
24×7 log monitoring refers to the continuous and around-the-clock surveillance or analysis of logs generated by various systems, applications, networks, or devices within an organization. Logs are records of events, actions, or transactions that occur within these systems. Log monitoring involves the collection, aggregation, and analysis of these logs in real-time to identify anomalies, security threats, operational issues, or trends that might indicate potential problems.
Those logs can be from the following sources and more:
- M365, Azure, Dropbox, Salesforce.com, and other cloud services
- MFA tools like Cisco Duo
- EDR / antivirus like SentinelOne or CrowdStrike
- Server System Event Logs
- Network Logs
- Firewall Logs
- Endpoint System Event Logs
The “24×7” denotes that this monitoring process operates non-stop, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, without interruption. Log monitoring systems use specialized software, tools, or platforms that automatically examine log data, searching for signs of unauthorized access attempts, system errors, performance issues, security breaches, compliance violations, or other abnormalities.
By continuously monitoring logs, organizations can promptly detect and respond to security incidents, performance degradation, or operational issues, thereby enhancing their overall cybersecurity posture, system reliability, and efficiency. But, 24×7 log monitoring can be expensive. That’s why it’s recommended to outsource this to a managed services provider.
24×7 Log Monitoring Service Providers
Most organizations will find that it doesn’t make sense to build out 24×7 log monitoring within their business. It takes very expensive software, expensive and talented staff, and a very intense implementation to achieve 24×7 log monitoring. That’s why managed services providers or managed security service providers have uniquely built out their business to offer this service so that other businesses can take advantage of the economies of scale. Some managed security service providers just monitor logs from firewalls, where as others take a wholistic approach and monitor the entire environment, including cloud (e.g. M365), MFA, EDR, and many other sources.
EDR, MDR – What’s the difference?
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), Managed Detection and Response (MDR), and 24×7 log monitoring are pivotal components of modern cybersecurity strategies, each serving distinct yet interconnected purposes.
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)
EDR centers on safeguarding individual devices, known as endpoints, within an organization’s network. Its primary focus lies in monitoring, analyzing, and responding to potential threats and suspicious activities that occur at the endpoint level, such as laptops, desktops, servers, or other devices. EDR solutions continuously collect and scrutinize endpoint data in real-time, aiming to swiftly detect anomalies or security breaches. By offering detailed visibility into endpoint activities, EDR facilitates rapid incident investigation and provides immediate response capabilities to contain and mitigate threats directly at the affected endpoint.
Managed Detection and Response (MDR)
MDR extends its scope beyond singular endpoints, encompassing a broader landscape of an organization’s IT infrastructure. MDR services integrate multiple security technologies, including EDR, network traffic analysis, threat intelligence, and human expertise. These services operate under the premise of continuous monitoring, proactive threat hunting, meticulous incident analysis, and orchestrated response to security incidents. Unlike EDR, MDR spans across endpoints, networks, cloud environments, and other critical systems, aiming to provide a holistic and comprehensive defense against sophisticated threats. An example of MDR is what is provided by an organization like Arctic Wolf.
24×7 log monitoring
24×7 log monitoring revolves around the continual surveillance and analysis of logs generated by diverse systems, applications, and devices throughout an organization’s IT ecosystem. Logs, which serve as records of events, actions, or transactions, are meticulously examined in real-time to detect anomalies, security breaches, operational issues, or compliance violations. While not limited to endpoints, log monitoring plays a crucial role in identifying irregularities across the entire infrastructure, aiding in the early detection of potential threats or operational discrepancies.
In summary, EDR specializes in securing individual endpoints, MDR offers a broader, comprehensive security approach encompassing various IT environments, and 24×7 log monitoring provides continuous surveillance and analysis of system logs to identify potential security threats or operational anomalies across the organizational landscape. These components complement each other in creating a robust cybersecurity posture, addressing threats at different levels of an organization’s infrastructure.