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SIEM Detection Rules SOC Analytics

Advanced SIEM
Detection Rules Guide

Build high-fidelity SIEM detection rules that catch advanced threats while minimizing alert fatigue. Master correlation, behavioral analytics, and threat hunting techniques.

Security Analytics
25 min read

Executive Summary

Effective SIEM detection rules are the foundation of modern security operations. This guide covers advanced correlation techniques, behavioral analytics, and rule optimization strategies that reduce false positives by 90% while improving threat detection accuracy.

The Challenge of Modern Detection

Security teams face an average of 11,000+ alerts per day, with 99% being false positives. Advanced detection rules must balance sensitivity with specificity to provide actionable intelligence.

Detection Rule Categories

  • Signature-Based: Known IOCs and attack patterns
  • Behavioral: Anomaly detection and user behavior analytics
  • Correlation: Multi-event attack chain detection
  • Statistical: Threshold and frequency-based rules
  • Machine Learning: AI-powered threat identification

Advanced Correlation Techniques

Build sophisticated rules that detect multi-stage attacks:


# Example: Lateral Movement Detection
rule lateral_movement_detection:
  event_type: "authentication"
  timeframe: 30m
  group_by: source_user
  
  conditions:
    - failed_logins >= 5
    - AND unique_target_hosts >= 3  
    - AND successful_login_after_failures == true
    - NOT source_ip IN whitelist_admin_ips
  
  severity: high
  mitre_attack: T1021

Behavioral Analytics Rules

Detect insider threats and compromised accounts through user behavior analysis:

  • Data exfiltration patterns
  • Unusual access times
  • Privilege escalation attempts
  • Geographic anomalies

High-Value Detections

  • • Golden ticket attacks
  • • Pass-the-hash detection
  • • Kerberoasting attempts
  • • DCSync activity
  • • Living-off-the-land techniques

Rule Optimization

  • • Whitelist legitimate activity
  • • Time-based filtering
  • • Risk scoring models
  • • Context enrichment
  • • Alert suppression logic

MITRE ATT&CK Mapping

Align detection rules with MITRE ATT&CK framework for comprehensive coverage:

  • Initial Access: Phishing, drive-by downloads, supply chain
  • Persistence: Registry modifications, scheduled tasks
  • Lateral Movement: Remote services, credential dumping
  • Exfiltration: Data staging, encrypted channels

Performance Optimization

Optimize rules for speed and accuracy:

  1. Index Strategy: Ensure proper field indexing
  2. Time Windows: Use appropriate correlation timeframes
  3. Field Selection: Query only necessary fields
  4. Caching: Leverage lookup tables and caching

Rule Testing and Validation

Implement continuous testing to maintain rule effectiveness:

  • Purple team exercises
  • Attack simulation tools
  • Historical data replay
  • Performance benchmarking

Optimize Your SIEM

Get expert help tuning your SIEM detection rules and reducing false positives.