What is the primary goal of a security information and event management (SIEM) system?

The primary goal of a security information and event management (SIEM) system is to perform real-time analysis of security alerts generated by applications and network hardware. SIEM solutions aggregate and analyze data from multiple sources within an organization’s IT infrastructure, enabling security teams to have a comprehensive view of security threats and incidents.

With real-time analysis, SIEM systems can quickly identify and respond to potential security breaches or anomalies, reducing the time needed to detect and remediate threats. By correlating event data from various systems, SIEMs help prioritize alerts and provide contextual information, aiding in efficient incident response.

The other options revolve around security aspects but do not define the primary function of a SIEM system. Data encryption pertains to protecting data integrity and confidentiality but does not focus on the analysis and monitoring of security events. User behavior analytics, while important for understanding patterns that may indicate security issues, is a subset of the broader capabilities offered by SIEM systems. Implementing firewall rules focuses on controlling network traffic rather than analyzing security events to mitigate threats. Thus, the emphasis on real-time analysis is what distinctly defines the role and function of SIEM systems in modern cybersecurity practices.