What is the primary purpose of a SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) system? Learn how SIEM solutions collect, analyze, and correlate security logs to detect threats and streamline incident response—essential for CompTIA Security+ (Plus) SY0-701 exam success.
Table of Contents
Question
A cybersecurity team is implementing a security information and event management (SIEM) system. What is the primary purpose of a SIEM?
A. To collect, analyze, and correlate security logs
B. To scan for malware
C. To monitor network bandwidth
D. To block malicious emails
E. To encrypt sensitive files
Answer
A. To collect, analyze, and correlate security logs
Explanation
SIEM systems centralize log collection and use analytics to detect potential security threats.
The primary purpose of a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system is to collect, analyze, and correlate security logs from across an organization’s IT infrastructure.
SIEM systems aggregate log and event data from various sources, including servers, endpoints, network devices, applications, firewalls, and security tools.
They analyze this data in real time to identify patterns, anomalies, and potential security threats by correlating events that may otherwise go unnoticed if reviewed in isolation.
SIEM solutions centralize security monitoring, making it easier for security teams to detect, investigate, and respond to incidents efficiently.
Advanced SIEMs use behavioral analytics, machine learning, and threat intelligence feeds to enhance detection capabilities and automate alerting and response workflows.
In addition to threat detection, SIEM systems support compliance by retaining logs and generating reports required for regulatory standards (e.g., HIPAA, PCI DSS).
The centralization and correlation of security data enable organizations to reconstruct attack timelines, understand the scope of incidents, and improve their overall security posture.
SIEM systems provide a unified platform for gathering, analyzing, and correlating security logs, enabling effective threat detection, incident response, and compliance management.
CompTIA Security+ (Plus) SY0-701 certification exam practice question and answer (Q&A) dump with detail explanation and reference available free, helpful to pass the CompTIA Security+ (Plus) SY0-701 exam and earn CompTIA Security+ (Plus) SY0-701 certification.