FAQs on EDR, XDR, SIEM, MDR, and SOAR

What Is the Relationship Between SIEM and SOAR?

SIEM and SOAR both aim to improve an organization’s ability to detect, analyze, and respond to security threats. SIEM focuses on gathering and analyzing data from multiple sources, whereas SOAR focuses on automating and optimizing the response to such data. After receiving data from the SIEM, the SOAR can take the lead on resolutions. Without a SOAR, security teams would be forced to act on data and insights from a SIEM through a variety of external interfaces.

Does XDR replace SIEM and SOAR?

The simple answer is no. SIEM and XDR are very different. SIEM collects, aggregates, analyzes, and stores large amounts of log data from all business areas. The original SIEM strategy entailed collecting and storing all event and log data from virtually any organizational source for a variety of use cases. When SOAR receives SIEM data, it can start the resolution process.

In short, SIEM platforms typically lack log repository and analysis capabilities. A SOAR can respond in ways that a SIEM cannot. The functionalities of SIEM and SOAR complement each other, and XDR lacks the potential to replace the two – particularly because it lacks a holistic approach to efficiently supporting security operations (in most cases).

Given its limited capabilities and support for data sources, the majority of XDR use cases revolve around security teams augmenting their threat detection and incident response capabilities with a SIEM.

Do I need all three tools: SIEM, SOAR, and XDR?

It depends on the specific needs and goals of an organization. Systems such as SIEM, SOAR, and XDR can help with both security and incident response.

• A SIEM tool collects and analyzes log data from various organizational sources, such as network devices, servers, and apps. Its primary function is to manage security data and events.
• SOAR is an incident response tool that automates incident response procedures. It allows security teams to coordinate and automate processes that involve multiple security technologies and platforms.
• The XDR tool connects and correlates data from various security tools and platforms. It provides a unified view of security data from endpoints to networks to servers to cloud workloads to SIEMs. It aids in threat detection, investigation, and response.

Organizations are not required to have all three tools. A company may discover that a combination of SIEM and SOAR is adequate, or that XDR is the best solution for their needs. It is critical to assess an organization’s specific needs and goals before selecting the tools that will best meet those needs.