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| Screenshot of Sagan |
Sagan is a multi-threaded, real time system- and event-log monitoring system, but with a twist. Sagan uses a “Snort” like rule set for detecting “bad things” happening on your network and/or computer systems. If Sagan detects a “bad thing” happening, that event can be stored to a Snort database (MySQL/PostgreSQL) and Sagan will correlate the event with your Snort Intrusion Detection/Intrusion Prevention (IDS/IPS) system. Sagan is meant to be used in a ‘centralized’ logging environment, but will work fine as part of a standalone Host IDS system for workstations.
Sagan is fast: Sagan is written in C and is a multi-threaded application. Sagan is threaded to prevent blocking Input/Output (I/O). For example, data processing doesn’t stop when an SQL query is needed. It is also meant to be as efficient as possible in terms of memory and CPU usage.
Sagan uses a “Snort” like rule set: If you’re a user of “Snort” and understand Snort rule sets, then you already understand Sagan rule sets. Essentially, Sagan is compatible with Snort rule management utilities, like “oinkmaster” for example.
Sagan can log to Snort databases: Sagan will operate as a separate “sensor” ID to a Snort database. This means that your IDS/IPS events from Snort will remain separate from your Sagan (syslog/event log) events. Since Sagan can utilize Snort databases, using Snort front-ends like BASE and Snorby will not only work with your IDS/IPS event, but also with your syslog events as well!
Sagan output formats: You don’t have to be a Snort user to use Sagan. Sagan supports multiple output formats, such as a standard output file log format (similar to Snort), e-mailing of alerts (via libesmtp), Logzilla support and externally based programs that you can develop using the language you prefer (Perl/Python/C/etc).
Sagan is actively developed: Softwink, Inc. actively develops and maintains the Sagan source code and rule sets. Softwink, Inc. uses Sagan to monitor security related log events on a 24/7 basis.
Features:
- Sagan is meant to be easy to install. The traditional, “./configure && make && make install” works for many installations depending on the functionality needed and configuration.
- Thresholding of alerts. Uses the same format as Snort in the Sagan rule set.
- Attempts to pull TCP/IP addresses, port information, and protocol of rule set that was triggered. This leads to better correlation.
- Can be used to monitor just about any type of device or system (Routers, firewalls, managed switches, IDS/IPS systems, Unix/Linux systems, Windows event logs, wireless access points & much more).
- Works ‘out of the box’ with Snort front ends like BASE, Snorby, proprietary consoles, various Snort based reporting systems.
- Sagan is ‘open source’ and released under the GNU/GPL version 2 license.
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