XDR vs SIEM vs SOAR: Which Security Solution is Right for You? [2025]

• 10 September, 2023
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What is XDR VS SIEM VS SOAR?

XDR: Could you please provide a comprehensive explanation of its nature and characteristics? Does it render the necessity of SIEM and SOAR obsolete? What attributes should firms prioritize when selecting an Extended Detection and Response (XDR) solution? This essay aims to answer commonly raised concerns and provide guidance to security professionals in navigating a complex and saturated market of solutions. However, it is imperative to begin by presenting essential background knowledge before delving into the intricacies of these systems.

• What is XDR?
• What is SIEM?
• What is SOAR?

What is XDR? Extended Detection and Response (XDR)

XDR functions:

• Employ state-of-the-art automation and artificial intelligence (AI) technology to collect, correlate, and evaluate data from endpoints, cloud workloads, networks, and email.
• The primary objective is to allocate precedence to data and provide security teams with valuable insights in a consistent manner through a unified console.
• The objective is to integrate several security technologies into a unified console, thereby streamlining the processes of security analysis, investigation, and remediation.
• When an individual acquires a managed solution, it may include the provision of proficient experts in the fields of danger hunting, threat intelligence, and analytics.

Due to the aforementioned characteristics, the use of XDR yields substantial enhancements in threat detection capabilities, expedites security operations, reduces total cost of ownership (TCO), and alleviates the persistent burden on security personnel.

What is SIEM?

Security information and event management (SIEM)

Security information and event management (SIEM) is a comprehensive framework comprising a range of tools and services designed to facilitate security analysts’ analysis, understanding, and preparation for potential threats. This framework integrates the functionalities of security events management (SEM) and security information management (SIM) to enable efficient retrieval and reporting of log data.

SIEM functions:

• The process involves collecting log data from various sources within the organization and utilizing it to identify, categorize, and analyze incidents and occurrences.
• By comprehensively collecting data from many components within an ecosystem, encompassing both the software and hardware aspects of a network, one can attain a comprehensive understanding of detrimental actions taking place.
• Consolidate all factual information onto one central platform.
• The utilization of data is employed to generate warnings, provide reports, and improve incident response.

SIEM enables organizations to do real-time data evaluation from various network devices and apps. This capability can assist organizations in proactively identifying potential security vulnerabilities prior to their disruption of routine business activities.

What is SOAR?

Security orchestration, automation and response (SOAR)

SOAR functionalities:

• Minimize the necessity for human involvement through the collection of threat intelligence, implementation of automated solutions for straightforward responses, and prioritization of intricate dangers.
• In order to enhance and optimize the security posture, it is recommended to integrate three software solutions, namely threat and vulnerability management, security incident response, and security operations automation.
• The application of machine learning (ML) technology, in conjunction with manual and human intervention, is employed to evaluate incoming security data and establish the order of importance for incident response actions.

The primary goals of a Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) platform encompass the collection of threat-related information and the implementation of automated measures to counteract these threats. The utilization of a SOAR platform has the potential to enhance the efficiency and responsiveness of security teams.

What are the key differences between SIEM, SOAR and XDR?

SIEM

The primary purpose of Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) is to collect logs to facilitate compliance, store data, and conduct analysis. Without implementing a distinct security analytic function and substantial data collection, the effectiveness of risk identification in security analytics becomes limited. SIEM solutions primarily integrate security analytics as an additional feature, rather than developing it independently.

SOAR

As previously said, integrating Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) with SOAR facilitates the coordination of orchestration, automation, and response functionalities. This integration enables diverse security technologies to establish effective communication channels. Nevertheless, the SOAR framework begins and concludes with a form of communication that occurs in both directions. Although the SOAR system is undeniably valuable, it does not comprehensively tackle the challenges posed by big data analytics or offer sufficient safeguards for data and system security.

XDR

XDR has emerged as a distinct approach to address the void created by SIEM and SOAR, employing a novel technique centred around endpoint data analysis and optimization. The organization can prioritize and promptly address incidents of utmost importance due to the advanced analytical capabilities of XDR.

About SIEM, SOAR and XDR

1: What is the relationship between SIEM and SOAR?

In cybersecurity, the primary purpose of a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) software solution is to collect and disseminate alerts to be subsequently examined by security experts.

• The sole purpose of a SIEM software solution, within the context of cyber security, is to collect and send alerts to security personnel to investigate.
• The SOAR tool uses data on security issues to automate the response. SOAR also uses artificial intelligence to predict and respond to similar future threats.

We might conceptualize the cooperation between SIEM and SOAR as analogous to the relationship between an assistant and a manager. The Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) solution collects and analyzes logs to identify those that meet the criteria for triggering alerts. The Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) platform can extract data from the Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system, thereby facilitating resolution endeavors.

Essentially, Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) offers log analysis and archiving capabilities frequently absent in Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) solutions. Although the Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system does not possess response capabilities, the Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) system does offer such functionalities. To effectively utilize the data and insights produced by a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system, security teams would typically be required to use multiple interfaces external to the SIEM platform.

2: Is XDR a substitute for SIEM and SOAR?

The prompt reply is negative. Although XDR offers enterprises enhanced security capabilities and improved security measures, it is not advisable nor feasible to entirely substitute SIEM or SOAR with XDR. This is primarily due to the distinct functionalities each solution provides. While XDR excels in integrating and correlating data across multiple security layers, SIEM and SOAR still play crucial roles in log management and automated incident response.

3: Does my organization need all three tools: SIEM, SOAR and XDR?

However, it is possible that the reasons extend beyond mere security concerns. This post examines the diverse security characteristics of SIEM (Security Information and Event Management), SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response), and XDR (Extended Detection and Response). It emphasizes the integration of these technologies to provide a comprehensive and reliable security solution while also addressing other use cases. Organizations face potential breaches and other security problems when they fail to prioritize any of these three essential competencies, which could also result in their inability to fulfil other business requirements.

Conclusion

In the bottom line, we would like to state that there are several XDR solutions in Singapore that offer prominent features to all organizations that wish to check out their IT infrastructures with specialized penetration testers. In this regard, ShieldXDR, a unit of Craw Security, offers the world’s best XDR solutions in Singapore.

To gather more information on the same or book a demo slot from our highly experienced and skilled penetration tester, call our round-the-clock call facility number, +65 9797 6564, and interact.