(ISC)2 Certified in Cybersecurity Practice Exam

What is the purpose of a security information and event management (SIEM) correlation rule?

1. To create backups of security data

2. To define criteria for detecting security threats through event correlation

3. To track user activities on the network

4. To generate compliance reports

The correct answer is: To define criteria for detecting security threats through event correlation

The purpose of a security information and event management (SIEM) correlation rule is to define criteria for detecting security threats through the correlation of events from various sources. SIEM systems collect and analyze log data from different devices, applications, and systems within a network. By using correlation rules, the SIEM can identify patterns or anomalies that indicate potential security incidents, such as unauthorized access or unusual behavior. This rule-based approach allows security teams to focus on relevant events by filtering out noise and highlighting significant security risks. For example, if multiple failed login attempts are detected from a single IP address followed by a successful login, the SIEM can trigger an alert based on the correlation rule that has been established. In contrast, creating backups of security data is not related to the purpose of correlation rules, as backups involve data preservation rather than threat detection. Tracking user activities on the network is part of monitoring but does not encompass the broader function of correlating events across diverse data sources for threat identification. Similarly, generating compliance reports focuses on meeting regulatory requirements rather than on real-time threat detection through event correlation.