Skip to content
Megan SHAW Jan 29, 2023 9:02:18 PM 7 min read

Leveraging MITRE ATT&CK to Improve the Effectiveness of your SIEM

Table of Content

  • Introduction
  • Why should MITRE ATT&CK be Integrated with the SIEM System?
  • How can MITRE ATT&CK Improve the Effectiveness of SIEM?
  • Conclusion 

Introduction 

MITRE ATT&CK is a comprehensive threat framework which is globally accessible to all cyber security professionals in the industry. It provides valuable insight and latest updates on new and evolving security threats. The framework offers a knowledge base of adversary tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) based on real-world observations. It is a threat  framework that helps in understanding the various stages of an attack and the TTPs used by attackers at each stage.

By leveraging the MITRE ATT&CK framework , organizations can gauge the current security posture and improve the effectiveness of their SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) system. This in turn helps in enhancing their overall ability to detect and respond to various  security threats. Covering more on this in detail, we have today in the article explained the importance of integrating MITRE ATT&CK with SIEM and how this can improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of SIEM systems. 

Why Should MITRE ATT&CK be Integrated with SIEM System?

Integrating MITRE ATT&CK with SIEM System is crucial for your organization to stay ahead in the evolving threat landscape. The framework serves as a guide and reference point for the SOC team to filter out and set up alert rules in alignment with the latest threats and high risk attacks. Integration allows your SIEM systems to remain updated on all the new threat techniques and tactics emerging in the industry. This improves the system's ability to effectively detect and alert security analysts about any suspicious activities and further prioritize investigation. This integration further helps organizations automate and streamline their security operations accordingly.

Read: Benefits of Integrating MITRE ATT&CK with the SIEM System 

How can MITRE ATT&CK Improve the Effectiveness of SIEM?

A SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) system is a critical component of an organization's security implementation and maintenance strategy. It collects and analyzes security-related data from a variety of sources, such as network logs, system logs, and application logs, to provide a real-time view of an organization's security status. By leveraging MITRE ATT&CK framework, organizations can enhance the capabilities of their SIEM system in staying updated on the latest threats and  improving the system’s ability to detect and respond to security threats. Elaborating this in detail, here are some ways that organizations can leverage MITRE ATT&CK to improve the effectiveness of their SIEM system:

1. Identifying Critical Assets & Threat Exposures: MITRE ATT&CK can help you identify the assets that are most critical to your business. It also helps you identify high risk threats that your organization and critical assets are vulnerable to, as per your current security posture. Such critical and insightful information allows your SOC team to set up the SIEM system in a way that focuses on  the areas that matter most.

2. Maps Existing Controls & Defenses to MITRE ATT&CK: By mapping your existing controls and defenses to the relevant TTPs in MITRE ATT&CK, you can gauge  the effectiveness of your current security posture. This will help you identify gaps in your existing systems, processes and the overall defenses mechanisms in place. Accordingly your SOC team can work towards fixing these identified gaps and take appropriate measures  to close them.

3. Appropriate Configuration Enhances Detection of Anomalies: When configuring your SIEM system, you can use MITRE ATT&CK as a guide to help you focus on the TTPs used by attackers. This will help your SOC team in appropriately configuring your system to detect anomalies in systems or user-activities or any potential threats in the environment effectively. It also helps set-up appropriate alert rules that further facilitates quick response to the identified threats.

4. Improves Reporting Accuracy of SIEM: By leveraging MITRE ATT&CK framework, you can improve the reporting accuracy of your SIEM system. This is possible by identifying and prioritizing the most relevant security-related data. Such crucial information helps your system focus on the data that is most likely to indicate a potential threat. This reduces the number of false positives and improves the overall effectiveness and accuracy of reports generated by your SIEM system.

5. Enhances Incident Response Capabilities: When responding to security incidents, you can use MITRE ATT&CK to help you understand the TTPs used by attackers and plan your response accordingly. This will help you respond more effectively to incidents, minimize the potential damage and downtime.

 

MITRE ATT&CK - ATT&CK Matrix for Enterprise

 

Read: Incorporating MITRE ATT&CK into your organization's SIEM strategy

Conclusion 

Strengthening the security posture of your organization is an on-going process. This requires constant improvement and fine-tuning of systems and applications including, improving the effectiveness of the SIEM system. Leveraging the MITRE ATT&CK framework is one way to stay updated and improve the effectiveness of your SIEM system. With enhanced data analytical capabilities, improved threat intelligence and high-level threat detection and response systems, your organization can stay ahead in the evolving threat landscape.

DNIF HYPERCLOUD is a cloud native SIEM that provides single click security coverage overview based on the MITRE ATT&CK framework. This has helped several organizations strengthen their security posture through a systematic, phased approach. Book a demo to know how DNIF HYPERCLOUD's innovative architecture can bolster your security capabilities.

avatar

Megan SHAW

Product advocate to current customers, I am old school with a varied set of experiences.