Cyber Risk Management

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Security Incident and Event Monitoring (SIEM) is a comprehensive cybersecurity technology that involves the collection, analysis, and correlation of data from various sources in an organization's IT infrastructure. Its primary purpose is to identify and respond to security incidents and threats in real-time or near-real-time. 

SIEM systems aggregate logs and data from devices, applications, and network resources, enabling security teams to detect suspicious activities, unauthorized access, and potential breaches. When abnormal or malicious events are detected, SIEM systems trigger alerts and provide valuable insights to help organizations take prompt action to mitigate risks and protect their digital assets.

IT Infrastructure Monitoring is the practice of continuously monitoring and managing an organization's IT (Information Technology) infrastructure to ensure its optimal performance, availability, and security. This includes monitoring various components such as servers, networks, storage, applications, and more. The main goals of IT Infrastructure Monitoring are to Proactively Detect Issues, Ensure Availability, and Optimize Performance, Security, and Capacity Planning.

IT Infrastructure Monitoring tools and solutions provide real-time visibility into the health and performance of infrastructure components, often through dashboards and alerts, enabling IT teams to take timely actions to maintain the reliability and efficiency of their systems.

Server Monitoring is the process of continuously tracking and analyzing the performance, health, and availability of computer servers. This involves collecting data on various server metrics, such as CPU usage, memory utilization, network traffic, and disk space, to ensure servers are running smoothly. 

Monitoring tools and software are used to detect issues, troubleshoot problems, and prevent server downtime, helping organizations maintain reliable and efficient server infrastructure.

Network Monitoring is the practice of observing and analyzing computer networks to ensure their performance, reliability, and security. It involves tracking the flow of data, assessing network health, and identifying issues or anomalies in real-time. 

Network monitoring tools and techniques help IT professionals proactively manage and troubleshoot network problems, optimize resource utilization, and maintain the overall integrity and functionality of a network infrastructure.

Application Monitoring is the practice of continuously tracking and analyzing the performance, availability, and behavior of software applications in real-time. It involves collecting data on various metrics, such as response times, error rates, resource utilization, and user interactions, to ensure that applications run smoothly, identify and diagnose issues, and optimize their performance. 

Application monitoring tools and practices are essential for maintaining the reliability and efficiency of modern software systems, enabling businesses to deliver better user experiences and minimize downtime.

Database Monitoring is the process of continuously observing and tracking the performance, health, and activity of a database system. It involves the use of specialized software tools to collect data on key metrics such as response times, query execution, resource utilization, and error rates. 

The goal of database monitoring is to ensure that a database operates efficiently, detects and addresses issues promptly, and provides insights for optimizing its performance and reliability. Monitoring helps organizations maintain data integrity, minimize downtime, and enhance overall system performance.

Server Hardening refers to the process of enhancing the security of a computer server or system by implementing various measures and configurations to reduce vulnerabilities and protect it from potential threats. Two common benchmarks used for server hardening are the CIS (Center for Internet Security) and NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) benchmarks.

1. CIS Benchmark: The Center for Internet Security provides a set of guidelines and best practices for securing various operating systems and software applications. CIS benchmarks offer specific configuration recommendations that can help administrators reduce security risks and improve the overall security posture of their servers.

2. NASA Benchmark: NASA also provides its own set of security benchmarks and guidelines tailored to the unique requirements and security needs of its systems and networks. These benchmarks are designed to meet the stringent security standards necessary for aerospace and scientific computing environments.

Both CIS and NASA benchmarks typically include recommendations related to user account management, file system permissions, network configurations, software patching, and other security-related settings. By following these benchmarks, organizations can harden their servers and minimize security vulnerabilities, reducing the risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and system compromises.