Ossec vs Snort: What are the differences?

Introduction:

Here, we will discuss the key differences between Ossec and Snort. Ossec and Snort are two popular open-source Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), but they offer different functionalities and features.

1. Flexibility of Use: Ossec is a multi-platform IDS that can be installed on various operating systems such as Windows, Linux, and macOS. On the other hand, Snort is primarily designed for Linux and UNIX systems, making it slightly less flexible in terms of platform compatibility.

2. Detection Methodology: Ossec uses a host-based intrusion detection approach, where it monitors the log files, system files, and other system events to detect potential intrusions. On the contrary, Snort is a network-based IDS that analyzes network traffic in real-time to identify suspicious activities and intrusions.

3. Correlation and Analysis: Ossec focuses on correlation and analysis of various log files and alerts generated by different systems within the network, providing a holistic view of the security situation. In contrast, Snort primarily focuses on real-time analysis and generation of alerts for network-based threats, without extensive correlation and analysis capabilities.

4. Architecture and Scalability: Ossec follows a client-server architecture, where agents are installed on individual systems and send logs to a centralized server for analysis. This architecture allows for greater scalability and centralized management of security alerts. On the other hand, Snort follows a standalone sensor-based architecture, where each sensor analyzes network traffic independently, making it less scalable for large-scale deployments.

5. Rule-Based Detection: Snort relies heavily on rules-based detection, where predefined rules are used to detect known attack patterns. It can be highly effective against known threats but may struggle with detecting new or unknown threats. In comparison, Ossec utilizes a combination of rule-based and anomaly-based detection techniques, allowing it to detect both known and unknown attacks based on abnormal behavior.

6. Integration with SIEM Systems: Ossec has built-in functionality for integration with Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems, allowing it to actively contribute to the overall security monitoring and incident response workflows. Snort, although it can be integrated with SIEM systems, lacks the native support and features for seamless integration, requiring additional configuration and setup.

In Summary, Ossec and Snort differ in terms of their flexibility of use, detection methodology, correlation and analysis capabilities, architecture and scalability, rule-based detection approach, and integration with SIEM systems.