Calculating a SIEM’s Total Cost of Ownership

A security information and event management (SIEM) solution aggregates and correlates data from across the organization’s complex, interconnected environment. Modern enterprise IT consists of decentralized users and applications that require organizations to implement technologies that provide visibility across disparate security solutions. Simultaneously, SIEMs have a reputation for being difficult and expensive to manage. Licensing and hardware account for only a small fraction of SIEM costs. From employee training to time spent chasing false alerts, organizations need to evaluate all financial and operational costs associated with their SIEM. While log management may be the foundation of the SIEM’s value, its automation and analytics enable organizations to continuously monitor their security measures, identify behavioral anomalies, and maintain regulatory compliance. Understanding a SIEM’s total cost of ownership (TCO) requires organizations to look at direct, indirect, and opportunity costs related to deploying, managing, and maintaining the system.