A Security Event Manager (SEM) is software that analyzes event logs to identify potential security risks on a network. It monitors logs and records specific types of events, which are then transmitted to authorized personnel. SEMs are not effective deterrents but can help detect potential attacks. Regular updates are necessary to keep up with new forms of attack.
A Security Event Manager (SEM) is a software program used to analyze event logs on a computer network in order to find actions that may present a security risk. These actions are separated from other events and then made available for security professionals to act appropriately. Using this type of software allows information technology (IT) professionals to more quickly identify and act upon potential threats to a network. There are a number of different programs that have been developed as a security event handler, although most of them work in fairly similar ways.
Sometimes called information security or information security and event handler, these programs are usually automated systems that can be used in a variety of ways. In general, a security event handler is installed on a computer system, such as a network, and monitors activities on that system. These programs specifically monitor logs produced based on events that occur during the basic operation of the network. A log is a record of activity on a system and actions such as someone logging into the system, a user providing an incorrect password, and received data can create events on that record.
Security event management software monitors the data collected from these logs and looks for specific types of events. These are then recorded by the person in charge and transmitted to the administrators and IT or computer security professionals authorized to access the system. This allows someone to view information regarding potential security threats against a network much more quickly, rather than reviewing all the information logged in activity logs. Using a security event handler isn’t strictly necessary for a secure network, but it can certainly make detecting potential attacks or internal problems much easier.
One major flaw of a security event handler within network security, however, is that it can only detect attacks or unusual activity once they have occurred. This means that such programs are typically not effective as deterrents or as ways to protect a system from an attack. Most IT professionals use methods such as firewalls and ongoing penetration testing of a network to look for weaknesses that someone could use to attack that system. This allows them to ensure that the network is secure, while using a security event handler to look for flaws they may have missed or to find potential compromises within the system. These SEM programs typically need to be updated regularly, however, as hackers may be able to develop new forms of attack that bypass detection.
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