23 Best Incident Response Software For Better Security
Best Incident Response Software Shortlist
Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 23 tools reviewed.
Our one-on-one guidance will help you find the perfect fit.
In this article, I'll cover how these solutions can help optimize your incident management process, detect and respond to incidents promptly, and minimize the impact of security breaches. I'll also discuss pricing, features, integrations, and each software's pros and cons to help you make an informed decision.
What Is Incident Response Software?
Incident response software refers to tools and technologies that help organizations manage and mitigate security incidents. It enables businesses to detect, investigate, and respond to potential threats as they occur.
Incident response software typically includes threat detection, incident tracking, automated response actions, collaboration tools, and reporting capabilities. Centralizing incident information and providing workflows helps organizations minimize security breaches, prevent data loss, and maintain business continuity.
Incident Response Software For Better Security Summary
| Tools | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| ManageEngine EventLog Analyzer | Pricing available upon request | Website |
| Preparis | Pricing upon request | Website |
| AlienVault USM | $1,075/month (billed annually) | Website |
| Sumo Logic | From $15/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
| CrowdStrike Falcon Insight | From $24.99/month (billed annually) | Website |
| Tenable | $3,390/Year License | Website |
| IBM Security QRadar SIEM | Pricing upon request | Website |
| Carbon Black | Pricing upon request | Website |
| Splunk | From $150/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
| Tripwire | Pricing upon request | Website |
Compare Software Specs Side by Side
Use our comparison chart to review and evaluate software specs side-by-side.
Compare SoftwareBest Incident Response Software Reviews
Here’s my list of the best incident response software to help you detect, investigate, and respond to cyber threats.
ManageEngine EventLog Analyzer is a log management solution that helps you collect, monitor, and analyze logs from various sources within your IT infrastructure. It offers real-time insights into network activities, enabling you to detect and respond to security incidents promptly.
Why I picked ManageEngine EventLog Analyzer: EventLog Analyzer's real-time event correlation feature is crucial for incident response. It analyzes log data from multiple sources to identify patterns indicative of security threats, allowing your team to detect and address incidents swiftly. Additionally, its alerting system notifies you of suspicious activities as they occur, enabling immediate action to mitigate potential risks.
ManageEngine EventLog Analyzer Standout Features and Integrations:
Features include file integrity monitoring, log archiving, user activity monitoring, network device auditing, application log analysis, server log management, web server log management, database activity monitoring, threat intelligence integration, and customizable dashboards.
Integrations include ADManager Plus, ADAudit Plus, PAM360, ServiceDesk Plus, OpManager, Log360, Firewall Analyzer, Endpoint Central, Mobile Device Manager Plus, Cloud Security Plus, and Log360 Cloud.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Supports both agent-based and agentless log collection
- Pre-built compliance reports simplify regulatory adherence
- Real-time event correlation enhances incident detection
Cons:
- Integration with certain third-party tools may require additional effort
- Customization of reports can be complex
Preparis is a cloud-based business continuity and emergency notification tool designed to help organizations prepare for and manage various disruptions. The software provides a comprehensive suite of features including risk assessment, emergency planning, response coordination, incident detection, and reporting.
Why I picked Preparis: Preparis offers an advanced emergency alert system that includes rapid response capabilities, customizable alerts, and multi-channel communication with bi-directional messaging. This ensures that alerts can be sent and received promptly via various channels such as push notifications, text, email, and voice messages. These features are crucial for ensuring that all stakeholders are promptly informed and can take necessary actions to mitigate risks during IT emergencies.
Preparis Standout Features and Integrations:
Features include customizable templates for building your IT incident response plans, real-time reporting for critical insights that guide your response efforts from start to finish, and an incident manager that allows you to track, assign, and resolve IT incidents efficiently.
Integrations include systems like ADP and Okta, allowing for coordination across your existing tools.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Incident response management across departments
- Effective notification system
- The tool is scalable
Cons:
- Limited customization options available
- Could offer a ticket management feature
AlienVault USM is an incident response software that combines essential security capabilities into a single platform. It can help organizations address security incidents with features like real-time threat detection, centralized log management, and automation workflows.
Why I picked AlienVault USM: I chose AlienVault USM due to its comprehensive suite of unified security capabilities. AlienVault USM provides me with everything I need to safeguard my infrastructure and data, including asset discovery, vulnerability assessment, threat intelligence, log management, and incident response.
AlienVault USM Standout Features and Integrations:
Features include real-time threat detection and alerts which allows me to track and deal with security threats as they happen. Other features include integration with Open Threat Exchange (OTX) — an open-source platform that allows security professionals to share their research. These make AlienVault USM an excellent choice for incident response for me.
Integrations are available natively with security solutions such as Palo Alto Networks, Cisco, Check Point, and Fortinet. Pre-built integrations are available through the AlienApp ecosystem.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Centralized log management
- Integrated threat intelligence capabilities.
- Unified security platform
Cons:
- Limited customization options
- Initial setup may require technical expertise
Best cloud-based security platform for enhanced threat detection
Sumo Logic is a cloud-native machine data analytics platform that specializes in log management, real-time monitoring, and security analytics.
Why I picked Sumo Logic: Sumo Logic stood out as the best cloud-based incident management tool for me due to its advanced threat detection capabilities. Sumo Logic makes it easy to see security-related data in one location. With the Sumo Logic Monitors tool, I’m able to get instant alerts when the system detects anomalies.
Sumo Logic Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include machine learning-powered anomaly detection and centralized incident investigation that help me address security incidents. It also offers customizable dashboards, automated incident response workflows, and a scalable cloud-native architecture which makes it a standout choice for incident response software.
Integrations include native integrations with major cloud providers like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform. It also has pre-built integrations with Kubernetes, Docker, and VMware.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Powerful analytics and visualization
- Real-time threat detection
- Cloud-Native platform
Cons:
- Steep learning curve
- Complex pricing structure.
CrowdStrike Falcon Insight is a cloud-native endpoint protection platform that delivers advanced threat intelligence and real-time protection against sophisticated cyber threats.
Why I picked CrowdStrike Falcon Insight: I picked CrowdStrike Falcon Insight for its comprehensive cybersecurity ecosystem, combining advanced threat intelligence, real-time protection, and proactive threat-hunting capabilities. It provides an all-encompassing solution to enhance my organization's security posture and defend against sophisticated cyber threats effectively.
CrowdStrike Falcon Insight Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include AI-driven threat intelligence that provides me with proactive threat hunting and real-time detection and protection against sophisticated cyber threats. These comprehensive EDR capabilities offer deep visibility into endpoints, allowing for rapid detection, investigation, and response to security incidents.
Integrations include native integrations with popular SIEM platforms such as Splunk, IBM QRadar, and ArcSight. It can use external threat intelligence feeds, like VirusTotal and ThreatConnect, to improve its threat detection.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Cloud-native architecture
- Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) capabilities.
- Advanced threat intelligence
Cons:
- Dependency on connectivity
- Pricing can be relatively high
Tenable is a cybersecurity company that enables organizations to gain visibility into their network assets and track their overall security posture.
Why I picked Tenable: I picked Tenable for its vulnerability management solution, which helps me identify and prioritize vulnerabilities across my network. With Tenable, I can proactively address potential entry points for attackers and reduce the risk of security incidents.
Tenable Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include continuous monitoring and reporting capabilities, which allow me to detect vulnerabilities and respond promptly to new threats. These features reduce my exposure window to threats and help keep my systems safe.
Integrations are native to Splunk, IBM QRadar, and ArcSight. There are also pre-built integrations with ServiceNow and JIRA for seamless vulnerability ticketing and remediation.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Advanced reporting and dashboards
- Extensive asset coverage
- Comprehensive vulnerability management
Cons:
- Expensive to maintain
- Configuration is complex
IBM Security QRadar SIEM is a security information and event management (SIEM) solution. It collects and analyzes event logs and flow data from various sources, giving organizations more visibility into their IT infrastructure.
Why I picked IBM QRadar: IBM QRadar is my top choice for medium to large businesses because it can ingest and analyze event log data at scale, offering support for over 450 device support modules (DSM) and over 370 applications. Its advanced threat detection, comprehensive log and event management, intelligent incident response capabilities, and the trusted brand of IBM make it the ideal incident response software solution for organizations aiming to strengthen their security posture.
IBM QRadar Standout Features and Integrations:
Features include network traffic analysis that can efficiently analyze large volumes and an extensive integration ecosystem. These features collectively convince me that QRadar is a powerful SIEM solution for medium to large businesses to respond to evolving cyber threats effectively.
Integrations include native integrations with IBM Resilient and IBM BigFix. There are also pre-built integrations with Cisco ASA and Microsoft Active Directory.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Comprehensive security ecosystem
- AI-powered threat detection
- Extensive log management
Cons:
- Might be expensive for small businesses
- Initial setup may require technical expertise
VMware Carbon Black focuses on endpoint security and threat intelligence, helping organizations protect their endpoint devices from various cyber threats.
Why I picked Carbon Black: Carbon Black made my list because it uses behavioral-based detection and advanced machine learning to identify anomalous patterns. Behavioral analysis hones in on suspicious activities, allowing security teams to promptly investigate and respond to incidents before they escalate.
Carbon Black Standout Features and Integrations:
Features include advanced threat detection, EDR, endpoint visibility and monitoring, behavioral analytics and detection, and incident response workflows. Its integration capabilities and proactive threat hunting are also why I picked it as a top choice for organizations seeking effective incident response capabilities.
Integrations include native integrations with incident management software, like Splunk and IBM QRadar; vulnerability management solutions, like tenable.io and Qualys; and cloud security platforms, like AWS Security Hub and Azure Sentinel. It also has pre-built integrations with two Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) platforms, IBM Resilient and Splunk Phantom.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Well-rounded security ecosystem.
- Real-time endpoint visibility and automated threat containment
- Advanced threat hunting and behavioral analysis
Cons:
- It can overwhelm organizations with limited resources or less complex security needs
- It can be challenging to implement
Splunk is a software platform that specializes in data analytics and operational intelligence. It offers a comprehensive incident response platform with powerful analytics and real-time monitoring capabilities.
Why I picked Splunk: I chose Splunk because it has a customizable security platform and can track and stop threats across an organization's complex IT environment. Splunk's robust search and analytics features give me extensive visibility into network performance, traffic, and security incidents.
Splunk Standout Features and Integrations:
Features include powerful search and analysis, extensive data integration, and real-time monitoring. These features enable me to gain actionable insights and identify threat patterns. Splunk's easy data collection, analysis, and correlation make it stand out compared to other options.
Integrations include native and pre-built options to connect to lots of security solutions, IT tools, business applications, and cloud platforms like AWS and Google Cloud Platform.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Extensive library of native and pre-built integrations
- Customizable dashboards
- Powerful log management and security information and event management (SIEM) capabilities
Cons:
- Steep learning curve
- Splunk can be resource-intensive
Tripwire is a trusted provider of security configuration management solutions designed to protect critical systems and sensitive data. Tripwire solutions offer continuous monitoring of system configurations and file integrity.
Why I picked Tripwire: I chose Tripwire for its exceptional file integrity monitoring capabilities, which lets me check files for errors and see if they've been tampered with. By detecting unauthorized changes, anomalies, or deviations from secure configurations, Tripwire helps organizations identify potential security breaches and respond rapidly.
Tripwire Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include extensive vulnerability management capabilities that allow me to detect and address security incidents. It also offers continuous monitoring and detection of unauthorized changes, log management, and event correlation.
Integrations are native to Splunk, IBM QRadar, and ArcSight. There are also pre-built integrations with ServiceNow and JIRA.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Advanced threat detection
- Configuration compliance
- File integrity monitoring
Cons:
- Limited scope
- Complex deployment
Other Incident Response Software Options
While they may not have made it to my list, these alternatives offer unique features and functionalities that may align better with your organization’s requirements. Some noteworthy incident response software worth exploring include:
- SolarWinds
For log management and reporting
- Rapid7 InsightIDR
For endpoint visibility and authentication monitoring
- Greenbone OpenVAS
For all-in-one vulnerability scanning
- Varonis
For managing email systems
- RSA NetWitness Platform
For network visibility
- Cisco Secure Endpoints
For real-time visibility into endpoint activity
- McAfee ESM
For real-time tracking and analysis
- Palo Alto Network
For security orchestration, automation, and response (SOAR)
- LogRhythm
For real-time monitoring and analysis
- Acutinex
For tailored network security solutions
- FireEye Helix
Intelligence-driven incident response software
- Cybereason Defense Platform
For endpoint detection and response
- Cynet 360
All-in-one incident response software
Selection Criteria For Incident Response Software
Here’s a summary of the primary selection and evaluation criteria I used to develop my list of the best Incident response software for this article:
Core Functionality
I examined the core functionalities of incident response software, including:
- Allows you to detect security incidents through various means, such as real-time monitoring and timely alerts when something suspicious is detected.
- Enables you to conduct thorough investigations of security incidents, providing you with tools for collecting and analyzing relevant data to determine the root cause, impact, and extent of the incident, such as logs, network packets, and system snapshots.
- Allows you to create and execute automated workflows to enhance the efficiency of incident response processes.
Key Features
I delved into the key features offered by each incident response software to identify standout capabilities, such as:
- Incident prioritization: I looked for features that help prioritize security incidents based on severity and impact, enabling efficient resource allocation.
- Integration with security tools: I looked at the software's ability to work with other security tools, like SIEM, threat intelligence platforms, and endpoint protection solutions.
- Forensic analysis: I assessed whether the software provides robust forensic analysis capabilities to investigate and analyze security incidents thoroughly.
- Collaboration and reporting: I evaluated features that facilitate collaboration among incident response teams and enable comprehensive reporting on incident details, actions taken, and lessons learned.
Usability
I looked at how usable the incident response software is, considering factors like how easy it is to use and deploy the solution and how many learning resources are available.
Cost and Pricing Model
Understanding the cost and pricing model of each incident response software is crucial for providing comprehensive information to organizations. I considered factors such as licensing models, subscription options, and additional costs associated with support or premium features.
There’s no fixed cost for incident response software, as it varies depending on the size of your organization and the number of assets in your infrastructure. However, you can expect to pay about $3 to $5 per asset a month. Businesses that need incident response software for 50 assets can expect to pay around $150 a month or more, depending on the features they need.
Compliance and Regulatory Support
I assessed the software's compliance and regulatory support to ensure it aligns with industry standards and regulations. I made sure the software's features, like audit logs and reporting templates, help organizations meet their regulatory obligations.
People Also Ask
Here are some answers to commonly asked questions about incident response software:
What is incident response?
Incident response refers to detecting, analyzing, and responding to security incidents or breaches in an organization’s information systems. It involves identifying the scope and impact of the incident, containing the threat, eradicating the vulnerability, and recovering from the incident while minimizing damage.
Why’s incident response necessary?
Incident response is crucial for organizations to manage and mitigate security incidents effectively. It helps minimize the impact of breaches, protect sensitive data, maintain business continuity, and restore normal operations promptly. Incident response also aids in identifying vulnerabilities, improving security measures, and preventing future incidents.
How does incident response software work?
Incident response software automates and streamlines various stages of the incident response process. It watches for and warns about security incidents so organizations can respond properly. It also helps teams work together, and it automates response actions. Plus, it gives the team reports and documentation for post-incident analysis and compliance.
Choosing The Right Software
Investing in reliable and effective incident response software is crucial for organizations to minimize the impact of security incidents and protect their sensitive data. With the right incident response solution, organizations can quickly detect and respond to security incidents, reduce downtime, and prevent future breaches.
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