We use IBM QRadar for monitoring user behavior in order to baseline the user activity. Then we print use cases around those behaviors to see if anything stands out. We can then see if something is going wrong in the enrollment from a user activity point of view.
Deputy General Manager - Network Security at a tech services company with 201-500 employees
Stable and solid security intelligence but lacks some functionalities
Pros and Cons
- "QRadar shows very effective correlations. If you combine all the logins plus user behavior and the current intelligence, it gives a very good correlation for business. I think it reduces the false positives in user activity monitoring because there is a lot of social information to correlate with other data."
- "From a functionality point of view there are issues sometimes."
What is our primary use case?
What is most valuable?
In terms of valuable features, QRadar shows very effective correlations. If you combine all the logins plus user behavior and the current intelligence, it give a very good correlation for business. I think it reduces the false positives in user activity monitoring because we have a lot of social information to correlate with other data.
What needs improvement?
From a functionality point of view, there are issues sometimes. There is a component in QRadar where all these certifications need to be installed, like a UPN. Sometimes we experience functionality issues where the logging, indexing, and searching were not working. I have personally seen it misbehaving. Sometimes we need to restart it. In some cases when it was malfunctioning we needed to contact support to resolve the issue. I don't see any issues in the integration model with a UPN from a usability point of view, but with functionally you can experience a lot of issues.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been working with IBM QRadar User Behavior Analytics for two years.
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What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I have not seen any issues with the stability of the solution either.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I have not seen any issues with the scalability of the solution
How are customer service and support?
The technical support is fine now. I was not happy with the support when we started with this solution in 2017. If you look at that first year, 2017 to 2018, they had lots of support issues. We logged the cases and they would only call us back depending on their resources. There were no options to call them on a landline or a hotline number. They needed improvement there. They should have had a dedicated support response. Over the last year I have seen an improvement. I used to wait for a week to get a call back from them, but now, when you have critical tickets they will respond in two or three hours, depending on the criticality of your support case. They have improved.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup was neither straightforward nor too complex. It did take some effort to implement, but it was manageable. We did not see any issues implementing it. We actually completed it in three to six months. When we initially implemented it we used some fresh use cases and observed the performance but these were all completed in three to six months. The initial deployment took hardly one week.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Regarding the price, it is a bit high for normal customers. It is better for enterprise-class customers where they get a licensing model for MSSP for enterprises.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We are a service provider company, so our recommendations depend on the customer's preference. The best we can do is propose the solution based on support, pricing, and their requirements.
What other advice do I have?
Our customers are satisfied with the product and they are not looking for anything else. I would recommend the product.
On a scale of one to ten I would rate IBM QRadar User Behavior Analytics a seven.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: partner
Solution Manager at ZZTL
Has a good feature set and good stability
Pros and Cons
- "Most of the features are good. It is an excellent solution."
- "IMB should reduce the pricing, or reduce some of the features for a more economical solution for the customer."
What is most valuable?
Most of the features are good. It is an excellent solution.
What needs improvement?
Some of the features should be more cooperative but other than that, everything is okay.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using IBM QRadar User Behavior Analytics for a year.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It is very stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It is also scalable.
How are customer service and technical support?
Our team handles its own support. We are capable of doing our own technical support but we also have IBM to get their help as well.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is not straightforward but of medium complexity. It's not simple but not so complex. It usually takes two to three weeks to deploy.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The price is very high. Some of our customers cannot afford it.
What other advice do I have?
IMB should reduce the pricing, or reduce some of the features for a more economical solution for the customer.
I would rate it an eight out of ten. They should reduce the pricing.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: reseller
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Cyber Security Specialist at AEC
Alerts and correlates the aggregate events or offenses we receive through all the applications we use
Pros and Cons
- "IBM QRadar has improved my organization by introducing many functions. It collects logs from all of our systems in the organization and has functioned very well. It alerts and correlates the aggregate events or offenses we receive through all the applications we use."
- "There is one problem with QRadar in regards to the add-on apps. The apps can be frustrating. For example, when I add a big app like one of the add-ons for resiliency, add-on applications for QRadar, these applications require different hardware to implement and to deploy. The resiliency connector because there's a considerable amount of data scanning, operates for these apps correctly."
What is our primary use case?
We are a reseller of this solution. We have numerous uses cases all dependant on the needs of our customers.
How has it helped my organization?
IBM QRadar has improved my organization by introducing many functions. It collects logs from all of our systems in the organization and has functioned very well. It alerts and correlates the aggregate events or offenses we receive through all the applications we use.
With other solutions, you collect the logs from different sources but you still have to finetune it, and you still have to match them a lot of the time to figure out the correct association to sort out the false positives. QRadar is much easier to use and detect false positives. It can do it by itself, and it allows you to finetune the filtering and check the false positives. There is some backend that protects but it's the best among all in the market.
What needs improvement?
There is one problem with QRadar in regards to the add-on apps. The apps can be frustrating. For example, when I add a big app like one of the add-ons for resiliency, add-on applications for QRadar, these applications require different hardware to implement and to deploy. The resiliency connector because there's a considerable amount of data scanning, operates for these apps correctly.
Acquiring these add-on apps for QRadar is very expensive. This is one of the difficulties that we are facing with the QRadar.
For how long have I used the solution?
More than five years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It's very stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution is very scalable.
How are customer service and technical support?
Technical support hasn't been bad, but sometimes it's inadequate, sometimes it is good. It depends on the case. We've had bad experiences in the past because we didn't get onsite support when we needed it.
They do have onsite support but only for third-party partners working directly with IBM. And sometimes the support is too slow.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I've used Alien Vault, McAfee, and Splunk.
How was the initial setup?
The initial set up was a bit hectic the first time because, it's not about the QRadar application itself, it's about defining or configuring the data sources or the traffic sources to QRadar. We are going to use a small file through literally all of the traffic sources. We found it was difficult to merge with QRadar due to different IPs, different sources delaying the process and just technical issues. It's not an issue with the QRadar solution itself.
What about the implementation team?
We implemented through a vendor. I am one of the integrators.
Our requirements are dependent on the size of the deployment and maintenance case, depending on how large of an enterprise solution we are speaking about. The size of the architecture, or for example if the architecture is all in one including the processor, including the QNI and the connector all with one box. A deployment of this type would only require one guy for it if the architecting dissipating these items comes from the all in one box.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The licensing is every year.
There are additional costs, such as the cost associated with the different hardware required for implementation and deployment. Along with the add-on apps, these are all additional costs, and they require licensing as well.
What other advice do I have?
The solution functions very well. It is amazing but there are some bugs with it. The unknown bugs can just come up with the adaptor with the data stored in Qradar.
On a scale from one to 10, ten being the best, I would rate this product an eight out of 10.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Director of Market Enabling Solutions at Raksha Technologies Pvt Ltd
In one single pane of glass, we can see all the issues. Though, the architecture could be improved.
Pros and Cons
- "On the back-end, Watson helps me figure out an exact problem, sometimes giving me the result."
- "It saves a lot of time. We integrate the customer's firewall with all their networking devices."
- "This console gives you the entire view, which makes life easier and allows you to take precautionary measures."
- "The architecture could be improved. I got stuck for a long time trying to understand the architecture, as it is quite challenging."
What is our primary use case?
Its primary use case is for people who want to manage all of their logs with analytics and correlate that between different security devices whose logs are related.
This solution is performing well.
How has it helped my organization?
It saves a lot of time. We integrate the customer's firewall with all their networking devices. If there is an issue, it helps us do the proactive work before it becomes a bigger issue. We are able to pinpoint issues and solve them.
Additionally, it is very easy to figure out. In one dashboard, we can see all the issues. There is no need to login to every device. In one single pane of glass, we can see everything.
What is most valuable?
Watson, which is an artificial intelligence, is the most valuable feature. On the back-end, Watson helps me figure out an exact problem, sometimes giving me the result. I never would have imagined this before.
What needs improvement?
The architecture could be improved. I got stuck for a long time trying to understand the architecture, as it is quite challenging.
For how long have I used the solution?
Three to five years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The stability is good.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It is a combination of multiple factors. The issues is from the customer side, not from QRadar. If you are able to get the right details from the customer, this solution is scalable.
How are customer service and technical support?
I am not involved with technical support because I am in pre-sales.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Factors in switching were the console view, as well as Watson. IBM Watson makes a huge difference on the product side.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
I do not have control over pricing, though I do help customers with their sizing.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
I select the vendor based on the customer's requirements. On the customer side, pricing is very important. They also consider the support to be an important factor.
My present organization does mostly IBM business. We have a very good rapport with the IBM team. We have won a lot of cases against competitors. We get trained frequently, so if there is an update, then we are prepared.
We are able to see the rapid growth of IBM through QRadar compared to the other SIEM tools.
What other advice do I have?
I would rate it a seven out of 10. I have had some challenges integrating this solution.
Each organization is looking for security. If you have a SIEM tool, you can integrate it with all of your security devices, and get all your security logs. This console gives you the entire view, which makes life easier and allows you to take precautionary measures.
People who handle only four or five security devices spread across the globe should go with this SIEM tool.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Reseller.
It has a logical, user-friendly GUI
Pros and Cons
- "IBM QRadar is great help from its security event monitoring to data center and NOC troubleshooting of issues hard for other departments to spot."
- "It has a logical, user-friendly GUI."
- "Dashboards and reports could provide better visualization of SIEM activity."
What is our primary use case?
We used QRadar SIEM over Juniper Secure Analytics platform.
The company profile is telecom. The infrastructure has a large geographical spread.
How has it helped my organization?
IBM QRadar is great help from its security event monitoring to data center and NOC troubleshooting of issues hard for other departments to spot.
What is most valuable?
- It has a logical, user-friendly GUI.
- Very easy to drill down in offenses and get to the bottom of raw data.
What needs improvement?
Dashboards and reports could provide better visualization of SIEM activity.
An executive or CISO dashboard would be nice to have by default.
For how long have I used the solution?
Three to five years.
What other advice do I have?
The tool gets better value in the hands of an experienced security analyst.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Country Manager at Magarah
Beneficial portfolio, reliable, and integrates well
Pros and Cons
- "IBM QRadar User Behavior Analytics has easy architecture, has a good portfolio and integration."
- "The solution could improve by having more out-of-the-box use cases."
What is our primary use case?
IBM QRadar User Behavior Analytics has a dedicated application for user behavior analytics and must be installed separately on an application server. It is valuable if you created the setup for the use cases. It needs additional customization to have a good value. You will have to point the solution to the suitable data sources that will feed the user analytics in a good manner. You will have good user behavior analytics, based on the created use cases.
What is most valuable?
IBM QRadar User Behavior Analytics has easy architecture, has a good portfolio and integration.
What needs improvement?
The solution could improve by having more out-of-the-box use cases.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using IBM QRadar User Behavior Analytics for approximately two years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
IBM QRadar User Behavior Analytics is stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I have found IBM QRadar User Behavior Analytics to be scalable.
We have approximately 15 clients using this solution.
How are customer service and support?
The support is satisfactory.
How was the initial setup?
The implementation was not easy and was not difficult, it was in the middle.
The full implementation can take approximately two to three months.
What about the implementation team?
We have three people that are supporting IBM QRadar User Behavior Analytics.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
There is an annual license required for this solution.
What other advice do I have?
I rate IBM QRadar User Behavior Analytics an eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
Sr. Information Security Analyst at a insurance company with 51-200 employees
Robust monitoring that is scalable and includes the SOC service
Pros and Cons
- "The best part of this solution is having a third-party SOC."
- "The user interface is a bit difficult to get used to."
What is our primary use case?
The primary use case of this solution is for monitoring the network.
What is most valuable?
Part of the SaaS offering is the SOC service. The best part of this solution is having a third-party SOC.
It's a robust solution.
What needs improvement?
The user interface is a bit difficult to get used to. Once you do, it's not difficult.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been working with QRadar for two years.
We are working with the latest version.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The stability is excellent.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It's scalable. Everything is done through our third-party vendor.
We have four other people in my group that have access to it, and we have six people who use it.
How was the initial setup?
The third-party vendor manages the system
What about the implementation team?
We had a third party vendor to complete the installation, so it wasn't bad.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We evaluated all of the Gartner top quadrants.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend having a third-party vendor.
There are a lot of alerts and a lot of tuning that has to be done. Every time we add new rules to it, an alert goes up. Having the SOC to go through it all first is very beneficial.
For what we do, I would rate IBM QRadar a ten out of ten. We are satisfied with it.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
A solution with a powerful and easy-to-use GUI and good technical support
Pros and Cons
- "It has a powerful GUI where you can put together your use cases, and don't have to write your own scripts."
- "While the interface is easy to use, it could be a little more responsive."
What is our primary use case?
The first thing that we implemented for user behavior was to find out whether somebody is logging in at odd hours. It studies user behavior.
What is most valuable?
My favorite thing is that it comes with good usability.
It has a powerful GUI where you can put together your use cases, and don't have to write your own scripts.
What needs improvement?
The price of this solution is a little bit expensive, so if it were cheaper then it would help.
While the interface is easy to use, it could be a little more responsive. It can be a bit sluggish at times.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using IBM QRadar for about a year.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
We have not experienced any issues with stability.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Scalability has not been a problem, although our environment is not very big. Perhaps at a later stage and with a bigger environment, we might have issues.
How are customer service and technical support?
I have been in contact with technical support on one or two occasions. The experience was good and we are satisfied.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I also have experience using Splunk.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is really straightforward. It's a bonus point of this solution.
What other advice do I have?
I would rate this solution an eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: partner
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Updated: November 2024
Product Categories
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