Syslog Integration

^{Last Updated: 2024-08-27}

Purpose

The focus of this article is to provide a technical overview of Syslog integration, emphasizing its significance in enhancing asset monitoring for organizations.

Introduction

Syslog Integration enables Outscan to forward system-and-event logs to an external Syslog server for centralized, real-time asset monitoring and security auditing. It supports configurable transport protocols (UDP, TCP, and TCP with TLS), definition of facility and severity levels, host and port settings, and optional certificate-based encryption. Proper setup ensures that events triggered by notification rules are transmitted reliably to SIEMs or log collectors for alerting, compliance, or incident analysis.

Description

Syslog, short for System Logging Protocol, is a standardized protocol used for sending and receiving log and event messages in a networked environment. It plays a crucial role in effective IT management and security by collecting, storing, and analyzing log data generated by various devices, applications, and systems within an organization's IT infrastructure.

Here is an overview of what Syslog is and what Syslog integration can do:

• Centralized Log Management: Syslog integration enables organizations to centralize the collection of log and event data from a wide range of sources, including servers, routers, switches, firewalls, and applications. This centralization streamlines the monitoring and analysis of log information, making it easier to identify issues and security threats.

• Real-time Monitoring: Syslog allows for real-time monitoring of critical events and activities across the network. It provides immediate visibility into system behavior, potential security incidents, and performance anomalies. This proactive monitoring helps organizations respond swiftly to emerging issues.

• Security and Compliance: Syslog integration is a fundamental component of security information and event management (SIEM) solutions. It assists in detecting and mitigating security breaches, intrusions, and unauthorized access attempts. Additionally, Syslog data can be crucial for compliance with industry regulations and standards, as it provides an audit trail of system activities.

• Troubleshooting and Diagnostics: Syslog logs offer a valuable resource for troubleshooting and diagnostics. When issues arise, administrators can analyze Syslog data to pinpoint the root causes, track changes, and resolve problems efficiently.

• Alerting and Notifications: Organizations can configure Syslog integration to generate alerts and notifications based on predefined criteria. This feature ensures that administrators are promptly informed of critical events, enabling them to take immediate action.

• Historical Analysis: Syslog data can be retained for historical analysis. By analyzing historical logs, organizations can identify patterns, trends, and recurring issues, helping them make informed decisions regarding system improvements and optimizations.

• Integration with Third-party Tools: Syslog can be seamlessly integrated with various security and monitoring tools, enabling organizations to extend their capabilities and enhance their incident response procedures.

• Scalability: Syslog integration scales easily to accommodate the growing volume of log data generated by expanding IT infrastructures. It ensures that organizations can continue to effectively manage and monitor their systems as they grow.

About the Solution

This integration allows the platform to transmit events to an external Syslog server, facilitating centralized monitoring and analysis. To ensure the effective manifestation of these events in the configured system, it is crucial to set up appropriate notification settings. Configuring these settings entails defining rules and parameters for triggering notifications when specific events or thresholds are reached, ensuring the prompt communication of relevant information to the designated integration. For detailed guidance on configuring these notification settings, refer to Notifications Settings.

Add a Syslog Integration

To add a new integration, follow these steps:

1. Click on the green button located in the lower-right corner of the browser window.

2. Select the desired integration configuration type from the drop-down menu.

3. Fill in the necessary parameters as described in the Integration Fields Overview section.

4. Click Add to finish the integration.

Integration Fields Overview

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Facility

Facility and Severity values are not normative but often used. They are described in the following tables for purely informational purposes. Facility values MUST be in the range of 0 to 23 inclusive. ⁽¹

Reference

1. https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc5424