C1000-162 Exam Dumps - IBM Security QRadar SIEM V7.5 Analysis

When defining the network hierarchy in QRadar, it is recommended to organize systems and networks by role or similar traffic patterns to differentiate network behavior effectively. Additionally, it is advised not to configure a network group with more than 15 objects to avoid difficulties in viewing detailed information for each object and to ensure efficient management of network groups​​.

To search offense data on the By Networks page, an analyst can use the options "Events/Flows" to filter based on the types of data points, and "Network" to specify the network they want to search for. This allows for a focused search on specific networks and types of data​​​​.

When a security analyst needs to filter events based on the time they occurred on the endpoints, the most relevant parameter to use is "Log Source Time." This parameter reflects the original timestamp of an event as recorded by the log source, providing the actual time when the eventtook place on the endpoint, regardless of when the event was received or processed by QRadar. This is crucial for accurate temporal analysis of events, ensuring that the timing of activities is correctly aligned with the actual occurrence on the devices or systems generating the logs.

• Indexing: QRadar indexes certain fields to create a structured way to quickly locate matching data.
• Search Optimization: Including indexed fields in queries allows QRadar to leverage pre-built indexes rather than scanning all data.
• Filtering: A well-constructed search with indexed fields significantly narrows the dataset, speeding up operations.

In the Dynamic Search window on the Admin tab of QRadar, the available data sources include "Assets" and "Offenses." These options allow administrators and analysts to construct queries based on asset information or offense data, enabling targeted searches and analyses tailored to specific security concerns within the organization​​.

• Key-Value Mapping: You need to associate each patent ID (key) with multiple usernames (values).
• Sets: The ability to store multiple values per key is a core feature of reference maps of sets.
• Unique Keys: QRadar requires unique keys within reference sets collections.

In configuring the frequency of report execution in the QRadar Report wizard, users have several scheduling options to automate or manually initiate report generation. Among the options provided, "Monthly" (C) and "Manually" (E) are valid choices within the QRadar environment. The "Monthly" option allows users to schedule reports to run at specific intervals each month,providing regular insights into the security posture and events within the monitored environment. The "Manually" option gives users the flexibility to generate reports on an ad-hoc basis, depending on specific needs or investigative activities, without adhering to a predetermined schedule .

In IBM Security QRadar SIEM V7.5, custom rules play a crucial role in detecting and responding to potential security threats. These rules can be created from various tabs within the QRadar interface, offering flexibility in how and where analysts choose to define their custom detection logic. Specifically, custom rules can be created from the Offenses, Log Activity, or Network Activity tabs. From the Offenses tab, analysts can create rules that are triggered by specific offense characteristics or patterns. The Log Activity and Network Activity tabs allow for the creation of rules based on observed events or network flows, respectively. This multi-faceted approach to rule creation enables analysts to tailor their detection strategies to different aspects of their environment, leveraging the rich data and insights provided by QRadar to identify and mitigate threats effectively.

The logical operator!=in an AQL (Ariel Query Language) query is used to compare two values and returns true if the values are unequal. This operator is a common element in various programming and query languages, and its purpose is consistent across these environments, including in IBM Security QRadar SIEM V7.5.

For instance, in an AQL query, if you are analyzing event or flow data and want to filter out records where a specific field, sayusername, does not equal a certain value, you could use the!=operator in your query like so:SELECT * FROM events WHERE username != 'admin'. This query would return all records where theusernamefield does not equal 'admin'.

The use of the!=operator is crucial in data analysis and threat hunting within QRadar, as it allows security analysts to exclude certain data points and focus on the relevant data that might indicate security incidents or breaches.

• IOCs and Reference Sets: Reference sets are specifically designed to store lists of Indicators of Compromise (IOCs) like IP addresses, domain names, file hashes, etc.
• Correlation and Matching: QRadar can match events and flows against data in reference sets, triggering rules or alerts when suspicious activity is detected.

In QRadar, to limit the time period for which an AQL (Ariel Query Language) query is evaluated, the functions and clauses that can be used include START, STOP, LAST, NOW, and PARSEDATETIME. Specifically, the LAST function is used to define a relative time range for the query, such as "LAST 2 DAYS"​​.

Here's why MaxMind updates are essential:

• IP to Location Mapping: QRadar relies on a GeoIP database to translate IP addresses into geographical locations (countries, regions, cities, etc.).
• MaxMind: A widely used provider of GeoIP databases. QRadar integrates with MaxMind to obtain this data.
• Fresh Updates: GeoIP mapping can change over time. Regular updates ensure the accuracy of location-based rules.

Why Other Options Are Less Relevant

• X-Force Exchange: Provides threat intelligence feeds, primarily focused on IOCs, not geographic mappings.
• X-Force Exchange ATP Updates: Likely refers to threat intelligence updates but not specifically for geolocation data.
• Watson: IBM's AI platform. While potentially related to analytics, it's not the primary mechanism for geolocation in QRadar.

When an analyst right-clicks on the Source IP or Destination IP that is associated with an offense at the Offense Summary in QRadar, two of the top-level options are DNS Lookup and WHOIS Lookup1. These options provide additional information about the IP address, such as its domain name (DNS Lookup) and registration information (WHOIS Lookup)1.

• Report Data Source: To generate a report focused on offense data, you must explicitly select "Offense" as the data source. This tells QRadar to structure the report around offense information.
• Edit Search: The "Edit Search" interface often provides the ability to configure report generation.

• Custom Properties:QRadar allows you to extract custom properties from raw log and flow data, enriching your analysis capabilities.
• Supported Expression Types:
• Unsupported Types:

References:

• IBM QRadar Documentation - Custom Property Expression Types: https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/qradar-on-cloud?topic=expressions-configuring-custom-property-expression

In IBM Security QRadar SIEM V7.5, the integration with MITRE ATT&CK framework is a valuable feature that enhances the understanding of threat tactics and techniques. The Use Case Manager within QRadar provides detailed insights into various MITRE ATT&CK tactics and techniques associated with different offenses or alerts. To get more information about a specific MITRE entry, users can click on the Tactic’s Explore icon associated with the entry. This action opens the corresponding page on the MITRE ATT&CK website, providing detailed information about the tactic or technique, including its description, examples of use, and mitigation strategies. This direct link to the MITRE ATT&CK website enriches the user's knowledge and aids in the analysis of security incidents, making it easier to understand the context and implications of specific attack behaviors observed in the monitored environment.

To check the offenses triggered and mapped to the MITRE ATT&CK framework using the Use Case Manager app, an analyst can navigate through the Offenses tab, click on All Offenses, and then utilize the All Offenses Summary toolbar to display rules contributing to an offense. This process allows for an investigation into how offenses correlate with the MITRE ATT&CK framework. However, the exact option "Detected in timeframe" is not explicitly mentioned in the provided documentation, and the described procedure offers a broader approach to reviewing offenses and their associated rules within the MITRE ATT&CK context​​.

When an analyst wants to combine multiple extraction and calculation-based properties into a single property, such as URLs, virus names, and secondary user names, an AQL-based property should be used. AQL (Ariel Query Language)-based properties allow for the aggregation of diverse data types into a unified custom property, facilitating more flexible and comprehensive data analysis within QRadar​​.

When investigating an offense in QRadar, finding the number of flows or events associated with it can be achieved through the "List Events/Flows" option. This functionality allows analysts to view a detailed list of all the individual events and flows that are related to a specific offense, offering insights into the nature and scope of the activities involved. By examining this list, analysts can better understand the context of the offense, including the types of network traffic and system actions that triggered the security alerts, facilitating a more informed investigation process.

Here's the breakdown of why this approach is the most suitable:

• Focused Export: The "Event Export (with AQL)" option allows targeted exporting of events based on specific AQL queries. This ensures you only extract the necessary data.
• Usability: The Log Activity tab's interface, including the Test and Export functionality, makes it easy to use even for less technical users familiar with basic QRadar concepts.
• CSV Format: CSV offers a readable, widely compatible format for data review outside of QRadar.

In QRadar, when performing a search in the My Offenses or All Offenses tabs, valid values for the Offense Type field include "Any" and "Source IP". "Any" searches all offense sources, while "Source IP" allows for searching offenses with a specific source IP address​​.

To perform an IP address X-Force Exchange Lookup in QRadar, you can follow these steps2:

• Select the Log Activity or the Network Activity tab.
• Right-click the IP address that you want to view in X-Force Exchange.
• Select More Options > Plugin Options > X-Force Exchange Lookup to open the X-Force Exchange interface2.

The procedure to perform an IP address X-Force Exchange Lookup in QRadar involves selecting either the Log Activity or the Network Activity tab, right-clicking the IP address of interest, and then navigating through More Options > Plugin Options > X-Force Exchange Lookup to access the X-Force Exchange interface​​.

QRadar supports different types of content extensions that can be downloaded from the IBM X-Force Exchange portal. Among the supported content extensions are "Custom Functions" and "Offenses." These extensions allow for enhanced functionality and customization within QRadar, providing users with the ability to tailor the system to specific security needs and requirements​​.

A Quick filter search in IBM Security QRadar SIEM operates on raw event or flow data. This type of search allows users to rapidly filter through large volumes of data to find specific events or flows of interest without the need for complex query syntax. Quick filter searches are particularly useful for conducting initial analyses or when looking for specific indicators within the raw data streams. The ability to search directly on raw event or flow data enables analysts to work with the most granular level of information available, facilitating detailed investigations and the identification of subtle patterns or anomalies that might indicate security issues .

• Offense Summary Window: The Offense Summary window provides detailed information about a specific offense.
• Display Menu: Within this window, the "Display" menu offers options to customize what information is shown.
• Rules Option: Selecting "Display > Rules" will reveal a list of rules that contributed to the chained offense sequence.

References

• IBM QRadar Documentation - Offense Summary: [invalid URL removed]
• IBM QRadar Documentation: Offense Chaining https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/qsip/7.4?topic=management-offense-chaining

When you right-click on an IP address within an event in the QRadar Log Activity tab, you get a context-sensitive menu with these primary options:

• Filter on: This is the main way to focus your view. It adds the selected IP address as a filter, showing you only events associated with that IP.
• False Positive: Marking an event as a false positive helps QRadar's analytical engine learn and potentially reduce similar alerts in the future.
• More Options: This expands the menu to show further actions you might take on the event such as:
• Quick Filter: Provides a quick, inline way to add additional filtering logic based on other fields of the event.

References:

• IBM QRadar Log Activity Tab Overview: This section of the QRadar documentation describes the actions available in the Log Activity tab: https://www.ibm.com/docs/SSKMKU/com.ibm.qradar.doc/c_qradar_log_activ_tab_over

Threshold rules in QRadar are designed to test events or flows for activities that are greater than or less than a specified range. These rules are particularly useful for detecting significant changes such as bandwidth usage variations, failed services, changes in the number of connected users, and large outbound data transfers. By setting acceptable limits within threshold rules, administrators can effectively monitor for and respond to abnormal activities within the network​​.

• Network Attacks: In security investigations, the Source IP typically represents the attacking device. It's the origin of the malicious activity.
• Offense Data: QRadar offenses gather information about the incident, including the Source IP as a crucial property.

The MITRE ATT&CK heatmap within the QRadar Use Case Manager app visualizes how well your security defenses align against the MITRE ATT&CK framework. The colors on the heatmap are determined by the following:

• Level of Mapping Confidence: The confidence level with which QRadar has associated offenses to specific MITRE ATT&CK techniques. The colors indicate:
• Number of Offenses Generated: The frequency of offenses observed that map to a particular MITRE ATT&CK technique. A higher number of offenses will result in a deeper shade within the color gradient (i.e., dark red vs. light red).

References

• IBM Security QRadar Use Case Manager Documentation:
• MITRE ATT&CK Website: Provides foundational information about the framework itself (https://attack.mitre.org/).