How to Improve Dashboard Accuracy in Splunk?

????1. Using Accelerated Data Models (Answer A)✅Increases search speedand ensuresdashboards load faster.✅Provides pre-processed structured dataforreal-time analysis.✅Example:ASOC dashboard tracking failed loginsuses an accelerated authentication data model forfaster rendering.

????2. Performing Regular Data Validation (Answer C)✅Ensures that the indexed data is accurate and complete.✅Prevents misleading dashboardscaused by incomplete logs or incorrect field extractions.✅Example:If afirewall log source stops sending data, regular validation detects missing logsbefore analysts rely on incorrect dashboards.

Why Not the Other Options?

❌B. Avoiding token-based filters– Tokensimprovedashboard flexibility; avoiding themreduces usability.❌D. Disabling drill-down features– Drill-downsenhance insightsby allowing analysts to investigate details easily.

References & Learning Resources

????Splunk Dashboard Performance Optimization: https://docs.splunk.com/Documentation/Splunk/latest/Viz/Dashboards ????Using Data Models for Fast and Accurate Dashboards: https://splunkbase.splunk.com ????Regular Data Validation for SOC Dashboards: https://www.splunk.com/en_us/blog/security

Critical Elements of an Effective Incident Report

An incident reportdocuments security breaches, outlines response actions, and provides prevention strategies.

✅1. Timeline of Events (A)

Provides achronological sequenceof the incident.

Helps analystsreconstruct attacksand understand attack vectors.

Example:

08:30 AM– Suspicious login detected.

08:45 AM– SOC investigation begins.

09:10 AM– Endpoint isolated.

✅2. Steps Taken to Resolve the Issue (C)

Documentscontainment, eradication, and recovery efforts.

Ensures teamsfollow response procedures correctly.

Example:

Blocked malicious IPs, revoked compromised credentials, and restored affected systems.

✅3. Recommendations for Future Prevention (E)

Suggestssecurity improvementsto prevent future attacks.

Example:

Enhance SIEM correlation rules, enforce multi-factor authentication, or update firewall rules.

❌Incorrect Answers:

B. Financial implications of the incident→ Important for executives,not crucial for an incident report.

D. Names of all employees involved→ Avoidsexposing individualsand focuses on security processes.

????Additional Resources:

Splunk Incident Response Documentation

NIST Computer Security Incident Handling Guide

A notable event in Splunk Enterprise Security (ES) represents a significant security detection that requires investigation.

????Key Elements of a Good Notable Event:✅Meaningful Descriptions (Answer A)

Helps analysts understand the event at a glance.

Example: Instead of "Possible attack detected," use "Multiple failed admin logins from foreign IP address".

✅Proper Categorization (Answer C)

Ensures events are classified correctly (e.g., Brute Force, Insider Threat, Malware Activity).

Example: A malicious file download alert should be categorized as "Malware Infection", not just "General Alert".

✅Relevant Field Extractions (Answer D)

Ensures that critical details (IP, user, timestamp) are present for SOC analysis.

Example: If an alert reports failed logins, extracted fields should include username, source IP, and login method.

Why Not the Other Options?

❌B. Minimal use of contextual data – More context helps SOC analysts investigate faster.

References & Learning Resources

????Building Effective Notable Events in Splunk ES: https://docs.splunk.com/Documentation/ES ????SOC Best Practices for Security Alerts: https://splunkbase.splunk.com ????How to Categorize Security Alerts Properly: https://www.splunk.com/en_us/blog/security

An audit report provides an overview of security operations, compliance adherence, and past incidents, helping organizations ensure regulatory compliance and improve security posture.

Key Elements of an Audit Report:

Analysis of Past Incidents (A)

Includes details on security breaches, alerts, and investigations.

Helps identify recurring threats and security gaps.

Compliance Metrics (C)

Evaluates adherence to regulatory frameworks (e.g., NIST, ISO 27001, PCI-DSS, GDPR).

Measures risk scores, policy violations, and control effectiveness.

Summary indexing in Splunk improves search efficiency by storing pre-aggregated data, reducing the need to process large datasets repeatedly.

Key Benefits of Summary Indexing:

Improves Search Performance on Aggregated Data (B)

Reduces query execution time by storing pre-calculated results.

Helps SOC teams analyze trends without running resource-intensive searches.

Increases Data Retention Period (D)

Raw logs may have short retention periods, but summary indexes can store key insights for longer.

Useful for historical trend analysis and compliance reporting.

Aligning security processes with frameworks likeNIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF)orMITRE ATT&CKprovides astructured approach to threat detection and response.

Benefits of Using Common Security Methodologies:

Enhancing Organizational Compliance (A)

Helps organizationsmeet regulatory requirements(e.g., NIST, ISO 27001, GDPR).

Ensuresconsistent security controlsare implemented.

Ensuring Standardized Threat Responses (C)

MITRE ATT&CK providesa common language for adversary techniques.

ImprovesSOC workflows by aligning detection and response strategies.

Audit-ready reports help demonstrate compliance with security policies and regulations (e.g., PCI DSS, HIPAA, ISO 27001, NIST).

✅1. Including Evidence of Compliance with Regulations (A)

Reports must show security controls, access logs, and incident response actions.

Example:

A PCI DSS compliance report tracks privileged user access logs and unauthorized access attempts.

✅2. Ensuring Reports Are Time-Stamped (C)

Provides chronological accuracy for security incidents and log reviews.

Example:

Incident response logs should include detection, containment, and remediation timestamps.

✅3. Automating Report Scheduling (D)

Enables automatic generation and distribution of reports to stakeholders.

Example:

A weekly audit report on security logs is auto-emailed to compliance officers.

❌Incorrect Answers:

B. Excluding all technical metrics → Security reports must include event logs, IP details, and correlation results.

E. Using predefined report templates exclusively → Reports should be customized for compliance needs.

????Additional Resources:

Splunk Compliance Reporting Guide

Automating Security Reports in Splunk