Designing your security information and event management (SIEM) strategy can be very challenging, particularly in complex environments that depend on many systems and stakeholders. For security leaders, it may seem as though this work is never complete. Indeed, maintaining an effective SIEM program requires a cyclical approach of reviewing business objectives, planning detection and response processes, and constantly tweaking the system to account for gaps and future growth.

As shown in the illustration below, a successful SIEM strategy must include well-defined goals, thorough planning, requisite resources and capabilities, and mechanisms to measure effectiveness and promote continuous improvement.