What is the function of a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system?

The function of a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system primarily revolves around its ability to enable centralized logging from various systems. SIEM systems collect and aggregate log data from different sources, such as servers, network devices, and applications, into a single, unified platform. This centralization allows organizations to analyze vast amounts of security information, detect anomalies, and respond to security incidents more efficiently.

This centralized logging capability is crucial because it helps security teams to correlate events from different sources and understand the broader context of security events. By aggregating data, a SIEM can help identify patterns that may indicate potential security threats, thus providing a comprehensive view of security incidents across the entire organization.

While the other options deal with important security functions, they do not capture the core role of a SIEM. Controlling access to sensitive data, managing firewall policies, and providing intrusion detection and prevention are all vital aspects of a well-rounded security strategy but fall into different elements of cybersecurity management rather than the primary function of a SIEM.