Why Do So Many People Use Log Aggregators as SIEMs?
Security teams across the United States are in a constant race to make sense of an overwhelming volume of data. Every endpoint, application, cloud instance, and network device generates logs. These logs contain valuable clues about what is happening inside the environment, which is why organizations often turn to log aggregation platforms. But a growing and concerning trend is emerging: many companies are using log aggregators as SIEMs.
At first glance, it might seem efficient to make log aggregators do double duty. After all, they centralize logs, store massive data volumes, and make search easy. But the truth is that using log aggregators as SIEMs introduces blind spots, weakens detection capability, slows incident response, and adds unnecessary cost in the long run.
This blog explores why enterprises take this shortcut, the dangers behind it, and why a modern SIEM like NewEvol is necessary for real-time security.
1. Why Log Aggregators Became the Easy Shortcut
Organizations adopt log aggregators as SIEMs primarily due to convenience and familiarity. Log platforms like ELK, Splunk, Graylog, and others are already widely used for IT monitoring, troubleshooting, and visibility. Because they are designed to ingest high volumes of logs and offer flexible search, IT teams assume they can perform security functions too.
Several factors contribute to this trend:
1.1 Lower Immediate Cost
If an organization already uses a log aggregator for DevOps or IT analytics, repurposing it for security feels like a “free upgrade”. Procurement teams see an easy way to avoid additional licensing and product purchases.
1.2 Ease of Deployment
Log aggregation tools are straightforward to deploy. Many have open-source roots, plug-and-play connectors, and simple dashboards. For a team short on time or skills, this feels more manageable than rolling out a full SIEM.
1.3 The Misbelief That Logs = Security
Many organizations believe that as long as logs are collected centrally, they are secure. But centralization alone does not equal threat detection. Without correlation, analytics, and context, logs remain passive data.
1.4 Skill Gaps in Cyber Teams
A large number of US organizations face a severe shortage in SOC talent. Teams lack specialists who understand detection engineering, SIEM tuning, and threat correlation. As a result, they default to the tools they already know.
2. The Fundamental Difference Between Log Aggregators and SIEMs
Although log aggregators and SIEMs appear similar on the surface, their core purpose and capabilities are fundamentally different.
2.1 Log Aggregators: Designed for Observability
Log aggregators focus on:
- Centralizing logs from many data sources
- Fast indexing and search
- Troubleshooting operational issues
- Monitoring application and system performance
Their goal is visibility, not security.
2.2 SIEMs: Designed for Security
A true SIEM provides:
- Threat correlation
- Real-time detection
- Enrichment with threat intelligence
- User and entity behavior analytics
- Automated workflows
- Compliance reporting
- Incident timelines and investigation flows
These features require purpose-built architecture, not just data storage.
When organizations treat log aggregators as SIEMs, they end up with partial monitoring instead of full cybersecurity defense.
3. Hidden Risks of Using Log Aggregators as SIEMs
3.1 Limited or No Threat Correlation
A SIEM correlates events from multiple sources to detect suspicious patterns. Log aggregators lack built-in correlation logic, forcing teams to manually write rules that are complex and often ineffective.
3.2 Very High False Positives
Since log aggregators are not designed for behavioral analytics or threat models, alerts tend to be noisy, shallow, and context-less. SOC teams drown in unnecessary investigations.
3.3 No Real-Time Detection
Most log aggregators work on batch processing or near real-time indexing. True real-time detection requires a security-optimized engine capable of analyzing events instantly.
3.4 Expensive Scaling
Log aggregators consume huge storage and compute resources. As log volume increases, costs escalate rapidly. Organizations end up spending more on infrastructure than they would on a modern SIEM.
3.5 Weak Incident Investigation Capabilities
A log aggregator does not offer:
- Attack chain visualization
- MITRE ATT&CK mapping
- Stepwise investigation workflows
- Threat scoring
This slows down response time, increasing breach impact.
4. Why Organizations in the USA Are Feeling the Pain More Today
The US has one of the most diverse technology ecosystems, with enterprises running hybrid cloud, multi-cloud, remote workforce setups, and IoT environments. The attack surface is massive, and adversaries are more sophisticated. As compliance requirements expand (CMMC, HIPAA, SOX, PCI DSS, SEC guidelines), organizations must demonstrate real security controls.
Using log aggregators as SIEMs cannot meet these expectations. The result is:
- Slower detection
- Higher breach cost
- Increased audit challenges
- Lower visibility across cloud environments
Cyber insurers are also tightening requirements. Many now require a modern SIEM with automated detection.
5. When Log Aggregation and SIEM Work Together — Not As Substitutes
A smart architecture combines both:
- Log Aggregator for IT visibility
- SIEM for real-time threat detection and analysis
- SOAR for automated response
- Threat Intelligence for enriched context
This layered approach ensures operational teams and security teams get the best of both worlds.
6. Why NewEvol Is the Better Choice Over Log Aggregators as SIEMs
NewEvol is designed from the ground up for modern, AI-driven security operations. It solves the core challenges that log aggregators cannot.
6.1 AI-Based Detection
NewEvol uses ML to reduce false positives, detect unknown threats, and spot unusual activity that signature-based systems miss.
6.2 Automated Correlation Engine
It connects events across users, endpoints, networks, applications, and cloud services to reveal multi-step attacks.
6.3 Built-In Threat Intelligence
NewEvol enriches alerts with global and contextual threat data. This turns raw logs into actionable insights.
6.4 Scalability Without Exploding Cost
The platform uses optimized data models and selective retention policies to reduce storage overhead.
6.5 Complete Incident Lifecycle Management
From detection to investigation to response, everything is built in. SOC teams get visualization, case management, and automated remediation workflows.
6.6 Compliance-Ready Reporting
NewEvol delivers ready frameworks for NIST, ISO, SOX, and industry standards, helping organizations reduce audit complexity.
Choosing NewEvol means your logs do not just sit in storage. They generate security intelligence in real time.
7. The Future of Security Operations Is Not Log Aggregation — It Is Intelligence
Cyber defense today requires more than storing logs. It requires context, behavioral analytics, correlation, and automation. Log aggregators cannot offer this level of security maturity.
Organizations across the USA are already shifting toward next-gen SIEM and SOAR platforms that strengthen security posture while reducing operational load. NewEvol is designed to support this transition, helping enterprises detect threats faster, respond intelligently, and scale with confidence.
FAQs
1. Can log aggregators function as SIEMs for small organizations?
They can support basic log storage, but they lack correlation, detection analytics, and real-time monitoring required for proper security operations.
2. Why do companies confuse log aggregation with SIEM?
Because both involve logs, teams often assume they perform the same role. But SIEMs add intelligence, enrichment, and detection capabilities that aggregators do not.
3. Are log aggregators more cost-effective than SIEMs?
Initially yes, but long-term costs increase due to heavy storage consumption and manual effort needed for threat detection.
4. What is the biggest limitation of using log aggregators as SIEMs?
Lack of automated correlation, which results in missed threats and poor visibility across the attack chain.
5. How does NewEvol solve the challenges that log aggregators cannot?
NewEvol adds AI analytics, built-in intelligence, automated investigation, and advanced correlation to deliver real security outcomes instead of simple log collection.
