Security event data normalization
View Patent ↗Normalizing security event data from multiple different network agents. The data from the multiple different agents is categorized and tagged with a descriptor that includes information about the nature of the event. Multiple different events from multiple different devices can therefore be evaluated using a common format which is common for the multiple different devices from different vendors.
1. A method, comprising:
registering, with at least one processor, a network security agent, the registering comprising determining a functional category of the network security agent, the functional category being associated with a numerical identifier;
receiving, with the at least one processor, a packet from the network security agent indicating a network event;
converting, with the at least one processor, the packet to a security event tag that numerically represents a broad classification of the event, the numerical identifier associated with the functional category of the network security agent that detected the event, and a category of the event; and
using the security event tag to represent the event in place of the packet.
2. A method as in claim 1 , further comprising determining, with the at least one processor, if the packet is from a registered device.
3. A method as in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of functional categories includes a firewall, a network intrusion system, a router, and a virtual private network.
4. A method as in claim 1 , wherein the security event tag has common fields for the same event from different network security agents.
5. A method as in claim 1 , wherein the security event tag represents at least an IP address, at least one port, and at least one signature identifier.
6. A method as in claim 1 , wherein the broad classification is uncategorized, unknown, normal, reconnaissance, malicious, compromised, or health/status.
7. A method as in claim 1 , wherein the category of the event is an intrusion detection system category.
8. A system, comprising:
a port that receives a packet from a network security agent indicating a network event; and
at least one processor constructed and arranged to:
register the network security agent, the registering comprising determining a functional category of the network security agent, the functional category being associated with a numerical identifier, and
convert the packet to a security event tag that numerically represents a broad classification of the event, the numerical identifier associated with the functional category of the network security agent that detected the event, and a category of the event;
wherein the security event tag represents the event in place of the packet.
9. A system as in claim 8 , further comprising the network security agent.
10. A system as in claim 8 , wherein the plurality of functional categories includes a firewall, a network intrusion system, a router, and a virtual private network.
11. A system as in claim 8 , wherein the security event tag has common fields for the same event from different network security agents.
12. A system as in claim 8 , wherein the security event tag represents at least an IP address, at least one port, and at least one signature identifier.
13. A system as in claim 8 , wherein the broad classification is uncategorized, unknown, normal, reconnaissance, malicious, compromised, or health/status.
14. A system as in claim 8 , wherein the category of the event is an intrusion detection system category.