The End of an Era: Why SIEM Technology is Failing Modern Cybersecurity

Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems, once the backbone of cybersecurity operations, are now creating more problems than they solve, according to new industry research and expert analysis. While traditional SIEM solutions offered valuable security benefits, these platforms are generating overwhelming amounts of useless alerts while driving up costs and contributing to unprecedented levels of analyst burnout.

Rising Costs and Diminishing Returns

The economics paint a stark picture. Enterprise Security Operations Centers (SOCs) now cost an average of $5.3 million annually, marking a 20% increase in just one year. SIEM platforms and incident management systems typically represent the largest single expense, yet deliver questionable value as teams struggle with alert overload and system complexity.

"At some point in the last decade, SIEMs turned into that one friend who always promises to help you move, then shows up late, eats all your pizza, and still expects gas money," notes Shahar Ben-Hador, CEO of Radiant Security.

The Alert Fatigue Crisis

Recent studies highlight the severity of the situation:

• 25% of analyst time is wasted investigating false positives
• Nearly one-third of all alerts are confirmed false positives
• 74% of actual breaches generated alerts that were ignored due to alert fatigue
• The average SOC uses over 20 different tools to complete investigations

The Human Impact

The toll on cybersecurity professionals has been severe. Research shows more than 70% of SOC analysts report high stress and job dissatisfaction. The average tenure for analysts has dropped to less than two years, creating a talent retention crisis as experienced professionals leave faster than they can be replaced.

One Fortune 500 company experienced a breach despite spending millions on SIEM technology – the crucial alert was lost among 5,000 daily false positives. According to a recent Gartner analysis, organizations are increasingly seeking alternatives to traditional SIEM approaches.

Modern security teams are finding success with cloud-native SIEM solutions that leverage advanced analytics to reduce false positives and streamline operations.

The Path Forward

Industry experts suggest a shift toward cloud-native technologies and AI-driven solutions that offer:

• More affordable log management using cloud infrastructure
• Automated triage and investigation capabilities
• Streamlined incident response workflows
• Reduced false positives without compromising security

Taking Action

Organizations should evaluate their current SIEM costs against actual security outcomes, explore cloud-native alternatives that offer more flexible pricing models, and prioritize solutions that reduce alert fatigue and analyst burnout.

The transition away from traditional SIEM platforms represents a fundamental shift in cybersecurity operations. While these systems may retain some role in compliance, their days as the centerpiece of security operations appear numbered as more efficient, cost-effective solutions emerge.