Everything You Need to Know About Wazuh
– The Open-Source SIEM
As cybersecurity threats become more complex and persistent, organizations—regardless
of size—are under increasing pressure to implement strong monitoring, threat detection,
and compliance solutions. However, commercial SIEM platforms can be expensive and
rigid.
That’s where Wazuh steps in:
A free, open-source, and scalable SIEM and XDR platform trusted by security teams
around the world.
What is Wazuh?
Wazuh is an open-source Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) solution
with built-in Extended Detection and Response (XDR) capabilities. It collects, analyzes,
and correlates data across systems to provide visibility, detect threats, and help
organizations meet compliance requirements.
Whether you're a security analyst, system administrator, or DevSecOps professional,
Wazuh enables:
• Real-time alerting
• Centralized log management
• Vulnerability detection
• File Integrity Monitoring
• Automated incident response
• Compliance reporting
Wazuh Architecture: How It Works
Wazuh is built using a modular architecture, which makes it scalable for any environment
— on-premises, cloud, or hybrid.
Core Components:
• Wazuh Agents: Installed on endpoints (Linux, Windows, macOS) to collect data,
monitor changes, and detect threats.
• Wazuh Manager: Analyzes data from agents, applies rules, and generates alerts.
• Elasticsearch: Stores and indexes logs for searching and reporting.
• Kibana (Dashboard): Visual interface to explore alerts, dashboards, and reports.
• RESTful API: Enables automation, third-party integrations, and custom workflows.
This structure enables Wazuh to operate seamlessly in both small networks and
enterprise-scale infrastructures.
Key Use Cases of Wazuh
Wazuh is not just a log collector. It provides multi-dimensional security value. Here’s how:
1. File Integrity Monitoring (FIM)
Tracks and reports unauthorized or unexpected file changes — essential for detecting
tampering and meeting compliance.
• Monitor critical files like /etc/passwd (Linux), Windows registry, or application
configs.
• Get real-time alerts on any changes.
• Use hashing (SHA1, MD5) for content integrity checks.
2. Threat Detection & Behavioral Analysis
Wazuh detects brute force attempts, unauthorized access, malware activity, and policy
violations by analyzing logs and system activity.
• Uses built-in rules mapped to MITRE ATT&CK techniques.
• Supports threat intelligence feeds for correlation.
• Detects lateral movement, privilege escalation, and anomalous behavior.
Real-World Example: Detects repeated failed SSH logins from a foreign IP with automatic
alerting.
3. Vulnerability Detection
Identifies outdated or vulnerable software packages and flags associated CVEs (Common
Vulnerabilities and Exposures).
• Scans packages on Linux and Windows agents.
• Integrates with Vulners and NVD databases.
• Provides actionable reports for patch management.
4. Compliance Management
Wazuh helps organizations meet regulatory compliance with:
• Prebuilt rules and decoders for standards like PCI-DSS, GDPR, HIPAA
• File monitoring, access control, and log retention
• Scheduled audit reports and alerts
5. Incident Response Automation
Manual response doesn’t scale. Wazuh supports automation using:
• Script execution upon specific alert triggers
• IP blocking using tools like Fail2Ban or iptables
• Integration with SOAR tools for extended workflows
6. Cloud & Container Security
Wazuh supports modern cloud-native environments:
• Integrates with AWS CloudTrail, GuardDuty, S3 access logs
• Supports Azure logs, GCP security telemetry
• Monitors Docker, Kubernetes, and container runtime events
Integration Capabilities
Wazuh easily connects with your existing tech stack:
• SIEM: ELK Stack (Elasticsearch + Logstash + Kibana)
• Cloud: AWS, Azure, GCP
• Syslog: rsyslog, syslog-ng
• Ticketing & Automation: ServiceNow, TheHive, MISP
Wazuh vs Other SIEM Tools
Splunk/QRadar/Sentine
Feature Wazuh
l
Free/Open-
License Cost Commercial ($$$)
Source
Customization High Moderate
Threat Intelligence Supported Advanced (paid)
Community
Strong Vendor-centric
Support
Use Case Flexibility High High
Wazuh is ideal for SMBs, MSSPs, and cost-conscious enterprises looking for flexible,
customizable solutions without vendor lock-in.
Getting Started with Wazuh
Ready to try it? Here’s how to begin:
1. Install the Wazuh Manager (official guide available)
2. Deploy Agents on endpoints
3. Connect Elasticsearch and Kibana (or use Wazuh packages with ELK included)
4. Customize rules and configure alerts
5. Explore dashboards, set up email/Slack notifications, and expand with
integrations
Final Thoughts
Wazuh is more than just a free SIEM — it’s a community-powered platform that brings
enterprise-grade security to everyone. Whether you’re just starting your cybersecurity
journey or looking to reduce costs without compromising protection, Wazuh is a smart
choice.
