Understanding how to effectively assimilate and analyze data is a vital skill for any Security Operations Analyst aspiring to pass the SC-200 Microsoft Security Operations Analyst exam. One of the key concepts to master includes Querying Microsoft Sentinel data using Advanced SIEM Information Model (ASIM) parsers.
ASIM parsers provide a critical role in processing and analyzing data. But what exactly are these ASIM parsers?
1. Understanding ASIM Parsers
The Advanced SIEM Information Model (ASIM) parsers enhance your ability to normalize data. These are the sets of parsing rules designed to convert the numerous data formats that Microsoft Sentinel supports into a standard format. By making sense of the disparate data, ASIM allows for unified and consistent data analysis.
2. How to Query Data using ASIM Parsers
To query Microsoft Sentinel data using ASIM parsers, one must adopt the Kusto Query Language (KQL). KQL is a read-only language used for querying and visualizing massive amounts of data. The process of querying data using ASIM Parsers in Microsoft Sentinel involves:
- Ingestion of raw data from multiple data sources.
- Normalization of this raw data using ASIM parsers to produce a standard output.
- Aggregation and analysis of the standard data by writing KQL queries.
Let’s consider a simple example to see how it works:
DnsEvents
| where TimeGenerated > ago(1h)
| project Subtype, SrcIpAddr, DstIpAddr, QueryName, ResponseCode
| summarize count() by ResponseCode
| render barchart
In this example, the KQL query pulls `DnsEvents` that happened `within the last hour`. It then projects or selects specific fields (like `Subtype`, `SrcIpAddr`, etc.). Using `summarize` command, the query provides a count of DNS responses by `ResponseCode` displayed as a bar chart.
3. Benefit of using ASIM Parsers
The main benefits of using ASIM Parsers in Microsoft Sentinel include:
- Standardizing and Streamlining Data: ASIM parsers allow different sources of data to be normalized into a unified format, making it much easier to process and analyze.
- Simplifying Queries: By parsing data into a standard format, ASIM simplifies writing KQL queries, making data visualization easier and faster.
- Boosting Security: ASIM provides an improved understanding of security-related information by presenting data in a more consumable format.
To ace the SC-200 exam, dedicating time to master the process of querying Microsoft Sentinel data using ASIM parsers would significantly broaden your understanding of data analysis and further optimize your data ingestion, parsing, aggregation, and visualization skills in Microsoft Sentinel. Remember, practice makes perfect – so continual hands-on practice is advised!
Practice Test
True or False: Advanced SIEM Information Model (ASIM) parsers are used in Microsoft Sentinel to increase data accuracy and interoperability.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: ASIM parsers enhance data interoperability and accuracy in Microsoft Sentinel making it easier to run expansive, cross-data source investigations and analytics.
The Advanced SIEM Information Model (ASIM) parsers included in Microsoft Sentinel are of how many types?
- A) 2
- B) 3
- C) 4
- D) 5
Answer: D) 5
Explanation: Microsoft Sentinel includes five types of ASIM parsers: Syslog, Windows Event, CommonSecurityLog, Linux audit log, and AAD sign-in log parsers.
True or False: ASIM parsers can only be used for Linux operating systems.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: ASIM parsers are not just restricted to the Linux operating system, they also support Syslog, windows event, common security logs, and AAD sign-in logs.
Multiple Select: What are the benefits of using ASIM parsers in Microsoft Sentinel?
- A) Improved Data Accuracy
- B) Enhanced Performance
- C) Ease of Migration
- D) Reduced Network Traffic
Answer: A) Improved Data Accuracy, B) Enhanced Performance, C) Ease of Migration
Explanation: ASIM parsers help to improve the accuracy of data, enhance performance, and ease the migration process but they don’t reduce network traffic.
True or False: ASIM Parsers help in getting a holistic, normalized schema for events across all data sources.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: ASIM Parsers provide normalized event schemas across various data sources, assisting in having a holistic view and increasing interoperability.
Select the optimal data source for ASIM syslog parsers:
- A) Linux Audit Logs
- B) Windows Event Logs
- C) Azure Activity Logs
- D) Custom Logs
Answer: A) Linux Audit Logs
Explanation: ASIM syslog parsers are ideally used with Linux audit logs in Microsoft Sentinel.
True or False: You should always prefer ASIM parsers over custom parsers.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: While ASIM parsers provide broad benefits, custom parsers can be beneficial in specific scenarios where bespoke data extraction is required.
What language does Microsoft Sentinel use to write ASIM parsers?
- A) Kusto Query Language (KQL)
- B) SQL
- C) Python
- D) C#
Answer: A) Kusto Query Language (KQL)
Explanation: Microsoft Sentinel uses Kusto Query Language (KQL) for writing ASIM parsers.
True or False: You can’t apply ASIM parsers on consolidated data sources.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: ASIM parsers can indeed be applied on consolidated data sources in Microsoft Sentinel to enhance data interoperability.
ASIM parsers in Microsoft Sentinel do not support which of the following log types?
- A) Windows Event Log
- B) Syslog
- C) Custom Logs
- D) Common Security Log
Answer: C) Custom Logs
Explanation: While ASIM parsers support syslog, windows event and common security logs, they do not inherently support custom log types.
True or False: ASIM parsers contribute to the acceleration of data ingestion in Microsoft Sentinel.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: ASIM parsers help with data accuracy and interoperability but they do not directly impact the speed of data ingestion.
ASIM Parsers help in creating unified data models for:
- A) A single vendor
- B) A single tool
- C) All data sources
- D) A single network
Answer: C) All data sources
Explanation: ASIM parsers help in creating a unified, normalized data model across all data sources in Microsoft Sentinel.
True or False: Creating custom ASIM parsers is a common and recommended practice.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: While custom parsers can be created when necessary, it’s not a common practice and the use of out-of-the-box ASIM parsers is generally recommended when possible.
ASIM parsers are used to normalize data from diverse sources in:
- A) Microsoft Excel
- B) Microsoft Sentinel
- C) Microsoft PowerPoint
- D) Microsoft Teams
Answer: B) Microsoft Sentinel
Explanation: ASIM parsers are specifically used in Microsoft Sentinel to normalize data from multiple diverse sources.
True or False: ASIM parsers support data filtering at the source.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: While ASIM parsers help in data normalization and interoperability, they do not provide an ability to filter data at its source.
Interview Questions
What is the Advanced SIEM Information Model (ASIM)?
The Advanced SIEM Information Model (ASIM) is an industry-standard schema that enables consistency across various data sources. It helps normalize data in Azure Sentinel, making it easier to write detection cases, queries, and perform analytics.
How does ASIM parsing work with Microsoft Sentinel?
In Microsoft Sentinel, ASIM parsers ingest data and convert it into a unified schema compatible with Microsoft Sentinel, enabling easier querying and analysis of data. These parsers are part of Microsoft Sentinel’s Kusto Query Language (KQL).
What is the role of the Kusto Query Language (KQL) in applying ASIM?
KQL is the language used in Azure Sentinel for running queries against the ingested data. When the ASIM parsers transform the data, KQL can then be employed to create analytic rules, dashboards, and perform ad-hoc investigations.
Can you provide an example of an ASIM normalized schema?
An ASIM normalized schema is a standardized format for representing data. For example, a Network Session schema might include fields like StartTime, EndTime, SourceIP, DestinationIP, and Protocol.
What is the standard process for using ASIM parsers in Microsoft Sentinel?
The first step is to collect data from different data sources. Next, use ASIM parsers to normalize the data into a unified form. Following this, use KQL to query the parsed data for analysis and insight generation in Microsoft Sentinel.
How can you use ASIM parsers to improve threat detection in Microsoft Sentinel?
ASIM parsers can normalize data from different sources in a unified schema, regardless of source variability. This uniform format enables analysts to write detection rules, perform analysis, and handle incidents more efficiently across diverse data sources.
What is the role of the Syslog data source in ASIM parsing?
The Syslog data source collects logs from servers, switches, routers or any device that transmits logs over network protocols. The ASIM Syslog parser in Azure Sentinel normalizes Syslog entries to the ASIM SyslogEvent schema, enabling easier analysis.
What is an example of an ASIM parser in Azure Sentinel?
An example of an ASIM parser in Azure Sentinel is the Web parser. It takes various web-based events like IIS logs, and transforms them into the standard WebEvent schema.
How would you monitor a successful ASIM normalization in Azure Sentinel?
You can validate ASIM normalization by running a Kusto Query Language command in Azure Sentinel. For example, with the WebEvent schema, you can run a query to check if the incoming data matches the schema.
Can ASIM parsers parse data from third-party sources in Microsoft Sentinel?
Yes, ASIM parsers can parse data from a variety of third-party sources. They can normalize data collected from any data connector, regardless of its original format.
How do ASIM parsers support incident handling in Microsoft Sentinel?
ASIM parsers give a unified view of data from multiple sources. Normalized data with a common schema makes it easier to correlate events, analyze data, and provide a holistic view of an incident, resulting in more efficient incident handling.
What are some of the common fields in an ASIM Event schema?
Some common fields in an ASIM Event schema include EventCount, EventId, EventProduct, EventProductVersion, EventResult, EventOriginalId, and EventResultDetails.
What is the significance of ASIM in Microsoft’s Open Network Insights (ONI)?
With ONI on Azure HDInsight, ASIM parsers ingest and normalize data into an ASIM NetworkSession_CL schema, providing a common framework for network-based detection on Microsoft Sentinel.
What types of events can ASIM parsers process?
ASIM parsers process a wide range of events, including DNS events, process events, Security events, NetworkSession events, Syslog events, and more, depending on the type of parser used.
Can ASIM parsers parse data from cloud-based solutions?
Yes, ASIM parsers can parse and ingest logs from multiple cloud-based solutions, platforms, and applications, including those other than Microsoft solutions.
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