From the Log Activity tab, you can configure rules or building blocks. Rules match events by performing a series of tests. If all the conditions of a test are true, the rule generates a response.
A user with non-administrative access can create rules for areas of the network that they can access. You must have the appropriate role permissions to manage rules. For more information on role permissions, see the STRM Log Manager Administration Guide.
An event rule performs tests on events as they are processed in real-time by the Event Processor. You can create an event rule to detect a single event (within certain properties) or event sequences. For example, if you want to monitor your network for invalid login attempts, access multiple hosts, or a reconnaissance event followed by an exploit, you can create an event rule. It is common for event rules to create other events as a response.
This section includes the following information:
• Rule Conditions
• Viewing Rules
• Creating a Custom Rule
• Managing Rules
• Grouping Rules
• Editing Building Blocks
• Event Rule Tests
Rule Conditions
The tests in each rule can also refer to other building blocks and rules. You are not required to create rules in any specific order because the system checks for dependencies each time a new rule is added, edited, or deleted. If a rule that is referred to by another rule is deleted or disabled, a warning is displayed and no action is taken.Each rule may contain the following components:
• Functions - With functions, you can use building blocks and other rules to create a multi-event function. You can also connect rules using functions that support Boolean operators, such as OR and AND. For example, if you want to connect event rules, you can use the when an event matches any|all of the following rules function. For a complete list of functions, see Event Rule Tests.
• Building blocks - A building block is a rule without a response and is used as a common variable in multiple rules, or to build complex rules or logic that you want to use in other rules. You can save a group of tests as building blocks for use with other functions. Building blocks allow you to re-use specific rule tests in other rules. For example, you can save a building block that includes the IP addresses of all mail servers in your network and then use that building block to exclude those hosts from another rule. The default building blocks are provided as guidelines, which should be reviewed and edited based on the needs of your network. For a complete list of building blocks, see Default Rules and Building Blocks.
• Tests - You can run tests on the property of an event, such as source IP address or severity of event. For a complete list of tests, see Default Rules and Building Blocks.
Rule Responses
STRM Log Manager responses when rule conditions are met can include one or more of the following responses:• Sending an e-mail.
• Generating system notifications using the Dashboard feature.
• Creating or adding data to reference sets.
The Rules page allows you to create a rule to import event data into a reference set. A reference set is a set of data, such as a list of IP addresses or user names. After you have created a reference set, you can create rules to detect when log activity associated with the reference set occurs on your network.
You can create a reference set to contain data derived from an external file. For example, you can create a reference set to retain data about terminated employees. First, you add a log source to import a text file containing
terminated employee data, such as IP addresses and user names. Then, using the Custom Rule Wizard, create a reference set specifying which data you want to retain from the external file. For more information on adding a log source, see the Log Sources User Guide.
After a reference set is created, you create a rule that generates a response when a reference set element, such as the IP address of a terminated employee, is detected on your network.
• Generating a response to an external system, including the following server types:
Viewing Rules 77
- Local Syslog - Syslog is a standard that allows you to store event
information in a software-independent log file. Using the Rules wizard, you can configure rules to generate a syslog file.
- Forwarding Destinations - STRM Log Manager allows you to forward raw log data received from log sources and STRM Log Manager-normalized event data to one or more vendor systems, such as ticketing or alerting systems. On the STRM Log Manager user interface, these vendor systems are called forwarding destinations.
- Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) - The SNMP protocol enables STRM to send event notifications to another host to be stored.
Using the Rules wizard, you can configure rules to generate a response that includes sending SNMP traps to the configured host.
- Interface For Metadata Access Points (IF-MAP) - The Interface For Metadata Access Points (IF-MAP) rule response enables STRM Log Manager to publish alert data derived from events data on an IF-MAP server.
Viewing Rules
To view deployed rules, rule type, and status:Step 1 Click the Log Activity tab.
Step 2 Click Rules.
The Rules page is displayed, providing the following information for each rule:
Table 4-1 Rules Page Parameters Parameter Description
Rule Name Specifies the name of the rule.
Group Specifies the group to which this rule is assigned. For more information on groups, see Grouping Rules.
Rule Type Specifies the rule type for this rule.
Enabled Specifies whether the rule is enabled or disabled. For more information on enabling and disabling rules, see Enabling and Disabling Rules.
Response Specifies the rule response, if any. Rule responses include:
• Dispatch New Event
• Log
• Notification
• SNMP
• Reference Set
• IF-MAP Response
For more information on rule responses, see Rule Responses.
Origin Specifies whether this rule is a default rule (System) or a custom rule (User).
The Rules page toolbar provides the following functions:
Creation Date Specifies the date and time this rule was created.
Modification Date Specifies the date and time this rule was modified.
Table 4-2 Rules Page Toolbar
Function Description
Display From the list box, select whether you want to display rules or building blocks in the rules list.
Group From the list box, select which rule group you want to be displayed in the rules list.
Groups Click Groups to manage rule groups. For more information on grouping rules, see Grouping Rules.
Actions Click Actions and select one of the following options:
• New Event Rule - Select this option to create a new event rule. See Creating a Custom Rule.
• Enable/Disable - Select this option to enable or disable selected rules. See Enabling and Disabling Rules.
• Duplicate - Select this option to copy a selected rule. See Copying a Rule.
• Edit - Select this option to edit a selected rule. See Editing a Rule.
• Delete - Select this option to delete a selected rule. See Deleting a Rule.
• Assign Groups - Select this option to assign selected rules to rule groups. See Assigning an Item to a Group.
Revert Rule Click Revert Rule to revert a modified system rule to the default value. When you click Revert Rule, a confirmation window is displayed. When you revert a rule, any previous modifications are permanently removed.
Note: To both revert the rule and maintain a modified version, duplicate the rule and use the Revert Rule option on the modified rule.
Table 4-1 Rules Page Parameters (continued) Parameter Description
Creating a Custom Rule 79
Step 3 Select the rule you want to view.
The Custom Rules Wizard is displayed. In the Rule and Notes fields, descriptive information is displayed.