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Event logging is crucial for maintaining the security of any IT infrastructure. Capturing logs from different sources, storing them, analyzing and managing them is a challenging task, that’s why Event log analysis software, such as GFI EventsManager, came into existence. GFI EventsManager is a comprehensive tool that monitors events in real-time, generates alerts, and reports to enable a quick response to potential security risks.
However, GFI EventsManager may not be the perfect solution for everyone, as the software has its unique limitations and pricing models, and some organizations may not need all its functionalities. There are plenty of options in the market that can compete with GFI EventsManager, offering different features, pricing, and usability. Therefore, in this blog post, we provide you with the top 6 alternatives to GFI EventsManager that can fulfill your event log management needs.
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What is GFI EventsManager?
GFI EventsManager is a log management tool that helps organizations monitor network events, generate real-time alerts and reports, comply with regulations, and manage security risks. It captures events generated by different devices and applications such as Windows events, firewall logs, Active Directory logs, and more. GFI EventsManager goes beyond logging and analysis; it offers advanced filtering, searching, and alerting possibilities to ensure security and compliance with various regulations such as PCI-DSS, HIPAA, GDPR, and SOX.
However, GFI EventsManager has its unique limitations and downsides. For instance, the pricing model depends on the number of devices monitored, which makes it expensive for large organizations; the software is complicated to set up and requires advanced technical skills, and there is no free trial or freemium version available.
Top Alternatives to GFI EventsManager
1. SolarWinds Security Event Manager
SolarWinds Security Event Manager is a comprehensive security information and event management solution that offers advanced features such as real-time event correlation, filtering, and alerts. It provides a central log management system, including SIEM, firewall logs, intrusion detection, and more. The software offers robust reporting capabilities, allowing users to create, customize, and schedule reports, and supports compliance with various regulations such as HIPAA, PCI DSS, and GDPR.
Pros: The software is easy to install, manage and use, and offers competitive pricing and a free trial. The interface is user-friendly, and the software provides advanced security features that are easy to customize.
Cons: SolarWinds Security Event Manager can sometimes be slow to load, and the dashboard’s layout can take a while to customize to your preferences. The software doesn’t offer as many integrations as other solutions on this list.
2. ManageEngine EventLog Analyzer
ManageEngine EventLog Analyzer is an event log management solution that offers a central log management system, compliance reporting, security analytics, and real-time alerting. The software can analyze logs generated by different sources, including Windows, Unix/Linux, and Syslog, and provides a dashboard with a user-friendly interface that can be customized to display real-time event log updates. Additionally, the solution offers over 1,200 inbuilt reports, which can be customized, and the software supports compliance with various regulations such as SOX, HIPAA, and PCI DSS.
Pros: ManageEngine EventLog Analyzer offers a range of pricing options, including a free version for smaller log volumes. The software offers easy installation and a user-friendly interface that is easy to customize and includes many integrations with third-party applications.
Cons: The analysis can take some time to get used to, and the software may require advanced technical skills to set up and manage.
3. LogRhythm NextGen SIEM Platform
LogRhythm NextGen SIEM is a security information and event management platform that offers advanced features for log management, analytics, and threat detection. The software provides real-time alerting, advanced reporting, automation, and compliance support with HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and more. It supports over 8000 data sources, including Syslog, Windows, network devices, and cloud platforms. Moreover, LogRhythm has built-in machine learning capabilities that recognize threat patterns and anomalies and uses AI to automate threat detection and response workflows.
Pros: LogRhythm NextGen SIEM is one of the most comprehensive SIEM platforms in the market. The software offers an intuitive user interface, customizable dashboards, and competitive pricing. Additionally, the machine learning capabilities make it easier to detect threats, automate responses, and provide end-to-end security.
Cons: LogRhythm NextGen SIEM is expensive and geared towards larger enterprises. The software requires advanced technical skills to set up and manage, and the documentation can be overwhelming.
4. EventSentry
EventSentry is an event log and system monitoring solution that provides real-time monitoring of Windows events, logs, system performance, and network devices. The software offers comprehensive reporting, alerting, and filtering capabilities, providing support for compliance with various regulations such as HIPAA, GDPR, and SOX. Additionally, the software offers features such as active directory monitoring, diagnostic tools, and USB device monitoring.
Pros: EventSentry is easy to implement, with a user-friendly interface and extensive customization options. The solution provides many features, including detailed hardware and software inventory, Active Directory Monitoring, and advanced reporting.
Cons: The software is primarily focused on Windows environments and can be more expensive than other solutions on this list, making it less suitable for SMEs.
5. Splunk Enterprise Security
Splunk Enterprise Security is a security information and event management platform that offers advanced features such as log management, security analytics, and threat detection. It provides real-time alerting, reports, and dashboards that can be customized according to the organization’s requirements. The solution supports compliance with regulations such as DISA, PCI DSS, and HIPAA, and it can work with over 200 data sources, including wire data, cloud data, endpoints, and more.
Pros: Splunk Enterprise Security offers comprehensive threat detection and incident management capabilities. The software provides real-time alerts, adaptive response, and machine learning for optimal security. It offers customization possibilities and integrations with different third-party applications and systems.
Cons: Splunk Enterprise Security can be expensive and requires advanced technical skills to set up and manage. The software is more geared towards large enterprises than SMEs.
6. Graylog
Graylog is a centralized log management solution that provides support for log messages sent over multiple protocols, including Syslog and GELF. The software offers real-time log collection, searching, and analysis, and can integrate with various third-party systems such as Elasticsearch, MongoDB, and Kafka. Graylog provides alerting features, dashboards, and compliance reports that support regulations such as HIPAA, SOX, and PCI DSS.
Pros: Graylog is open-source and free to use; the software provides a fast search experience and easy-to-use interfaces that are designed to meet your needs. Graylog supports centralized log management on a scale from small enterprises to large organizations and provides a greylog marketplace that offers plenty of plugins to extend the features and functionalities of the tool.
Cons: Graylog requires more technical skills and expertise than some other solutions on this list. The setup and configuration will require a certain level of expertise, plus some third-party plugins may be challenging to use.
Comprehensive Comparison of Each Software
| Software | Free trial | Price | Ease-of-use | Value for Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SolarWinds Security Event Manager | Yes | $4,525 (perpetual license), $2,495 (1-year subscription) | Easy | High |
| ManageEngineEventLog Analyzer | Yes (for log volumes up to 5GB) | $595 Manager Plus, $1,195 Enterprise | Easy to Medium | High |
| LogRhythm NextGen SIEM Platform | Yes | Pricing on Request | Medium to Difficult | High |
| EventSentry | Yes | $85 per server (perpetual license) | Easy to Medium | High |
| Splunk Enterprise Security | Yes | Pricing on Request | Difficult | High |
| Graylog | Yes | Open-source (Community edition), $2,500 (Enterprise) | Medium to Difficult | High |
Our Thoughts on GFI EventsManager
GFI EventsManager is a comprehensive tool that offers excellent features for event log management. However, the software may not be suitable for all organizations due to its limitations and pricing models. Organizations that have larger IT setups may find the software expensive to use. Moreover, the software requires technical expertise and skillsets to manage and maintain, making it more suitable for larger enterprises with dedicated IT teams.
That being said, several alternatives are available to GFI EventsManager, providing organizations with diverse Log management and SIEM solutions that are cost-effective, user-friendly, and offer the same comprehensive feature set. Organizations looking for event log management solutions should consider their size, environment, and requirements before choosing any software.
FAQs about GFI EventsManager
Q1: Does GFI EventsManager offer a free version?
A: Unfortunately, GFI EventsManager doesn’t offer a free version; however, users can try the software for 30 days before purchasing it.
Q2: Does GFI EventsManager support compliance with regulations?
A: Yes, GFI EventsManager supports compliance with various regulations such as HIPAA, GDPR, and SOX.
Q3: Is GFI EventsManager easy to set up and use?
A: GFI EventsManager may require advanced technical knowledge to set up and use, making it more suitable for larger enterprises with dedicated IT teams.
Q4: Does GFI EventsManager offer cloud-based solutions?
A: Unfortunately, GFI EventsManager doesn’t offer cloud-based solutions, as the software is deployed on-premises.
Q5: Does GFI EventsManager offer inbuilt reporting?
A: Yes, GFI EventsManager provides inbuilt reports, and users can customize the reports to suit their requirements.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, event log management is essential for organizations looking to secure their IT setups and comply with various regulations. GFI EventsManager is a comprehensive solution that provides excellent features for managing events; however, the software may not be suitable for all organizations. We, therefore, recommend that users consider their organization’s size, infrastructure, budget, and requirements before choosing event log management software. The alternatives we have discussed in this blog post are robust, cost-effective, and offer the same set of features as GFI EventsManager, making them excellent choices for any organization.