Wazuh SIEM is an open-source Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) solution designed to provide comprehensive visibility into your organization's security posture. It combines log analysis, intrusion detection, file integrity monitoring, vulnerability detection, and compliance reporting in a single unified platform. Wazuh leverages the powerful capabilities of the Elastic Stack for data indexing and visualization, enabling real-time threat detection and response.

For more on SIEM fundamentals, see the CISA SIEM resource page. If you are interested in step-by-step guidance for deploying Wazuh in a modern environment, check out the Deploy Wazuh SIEM 2025: Monitor Hosts guide.

Before you begin deploying Wazuh SIEM 2025, ensure you have:

• Basic knowledge of Linux and Windows administration
• Root or administrative privileges on your target systems
• Network access between the Wazuh server and the hosts to be monitored
• Access to the internet for downloading packages and updates
• Familiarity with security best practices and compliance requirements

Proper resource allocation is critical for optimal Wazuh SIEM performance. The following are recommended minimum requirements for a small to medium deployment:

• Wazuh Server: 4 CPU cores, 8 GB RAM, 100 GB disk space
• Wazuh Dashboard: 2 CPU cores, 4 GB RAM, 50 GB disk space
• Wazuh Agent: 1 CPU core, 1 GB RAM, 10 GB disk space (per host)

For larger environments, refer to the Wazuh hardware sizing guide.

Network planning is essential for secure and efficient communication between Wazuh components:

• Ensure TCP ports 1514 (UDP/TCP, agent-server communication) and 55000 (API) are open
• Restrict access to the Wazuh Dashboard (default: 5601) to trusted IPs
• Consider network segmentation for sensitive environments
• Implement VPN or IPsec tunnels for remote agents

For network security guidance, consult the CIS Controls: Network Monitoring and Defense. For more comprehensive comparison of monitoring tools, see Network Monitoring Tools 2025: Top 10 Compared.

To maximize the security of your Wazuh SIEM deployment:

• Use strong, unique passwords for all Wazuh components
• Enable TLS/SSL encryption for agent-server and dashboard communications
• Regularly update Wazuh and underlying OS packages
• Limit administrative access using role-based access control (RBAC)
• Monitor and audit Wazuh logs for suspicious activity

For further reading, see SANS Institute: SIEM Best Practices. You may also want to review Secure Coding Practices 2025: Top 10 Tips to enhance your security posture during deployment.

The Wazuh Server is the core component responsible for collecting, analyzing, and storing security data. Follow these steps to install on a supported Linux distribution (e.g., Ubuntu 22.04 LTS):

curl -sO https://packages.wazuh.com/4.x/wazuh-install.sh
sudo bash ./wazuh-install.sh -a

This script automates the installation of the Wazuh server, dashboard, and Elastic Stack components. For manual installation or advanced options, refer to the official Wazuh installation guide.

The Wazuh Dashboard provides a web-based interface for visualization, alert management, and configuration. If not installed via the script above, you can install it separately:

curl -sO https://packages.wazuh.com/4.x/wazuh-dashboard-install.sh
sudo bash ./wazuh-dashboard-install.sh

After installation, access the dashboard at https://your-server-ip:5601. Secure the dashboard using HTTPS and restrict access to authorized users.

The Wazuh Agent must be installed on every host you wish to monitor. For Linux:

curl -sO https://packages.wazuh.com/4.x/wazuh-agent-install.sh
sudo bash ./wazuh-agent-install.sh -a 

For Windows, download the agent from the Wazuh Windows MSI and follow the installation wizard. During setup, specify the Wazuh server IP and agent authentication key.

After installation, configure the Wazuh Server for your environment:

• Edit /var/ossec/etc/ossec.conf to set global options (e.g., email, log retention, rules)
• Configure the Wazuh API for integration with the dashboard and automation tools
• Set up TLS certificates for secure agent-server communication

For detailed configuration options, see the Wazuh ossec.conf reference.

To connect an agent to the server:

1. On the server, add the agent:

   
   /var/ossec/bin/manage_agents
       

   Follow the prompts to add a new agent and generate a key.
2. On the agent, import the key:

   
   /var/ossec/bin/manage_agents
       

   Paste the key when prompted.
3. Restart the agent service:

   
   sudo systemctl restart wazuh-agent
       

For automated deployments, consider using configuration management tools like Ansible or Puppet. If you are interested in automating deployments at scale, see DIY Cracking Rig 2025: Parts, Cost, Performance for infrastructure insights.

Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) is crucial for limiting access within the Wazuh Dashboard:

• Define roles (e.g., analyst, admin, auditor) with specific permissions
• Assign users to roles via the dashboard's Security section
• Enforce strong authentication (e.g., SAML, LDAP, or MFA)

For RBAC configuration, see the Wazuh RBAC documentation.

To add hosts for monitoring:

• Install the Wazuh Agent on each target host (Linux, Windows, macOS, or cloud instance)
• Register each agent with the server using the manage_agents tool
• Verify agent status in the Wazuh Dashboard under Agents

For cloud environments, refer to the Wazuh cloud security documentation.

Log collection is the foundation of effective host monitoring. Wazuh supports:

• Syslog (local and remote)
• Windows Event Logs
• Application logs (Apache, NGINX, MySQL, etc.)
• Cloud service logs (AWS CloudTrail, Azure Activity Logs, GCP Audit Logs)

Configure log sources in /var/ossec/etc/ossec.conf or via the dashboard. For custom log sources, use the localfile directive:

<localfile>
  <log_format>syslog</log_format>
  <location>/var/log/auth.log</location>
</localfile>

For advanced log collection, see the Wazuh log data collection guide. You may also want to explore Log Management Best Practices 2025 to optimize your organization's log strategy.

Linux host monitoring with Wazuh includes:

• File Integrity Monitoring (FIM): Detect unauthorized changes to critical files
• Rootkit Detection: Identify signs of rootkits and malware
• Vulnerability Detection: Scan installed packages for known vulnerabilities
• Log Analysis: Monitor authentication, sudo, and system logs

Example FIM configuration:

<syscheck>
  <directories check_all="yes" realtime="yes">/etc,/usr/bin</directories>
</syscheck>

For more on Linux security monitoring, see CIS Linux Security Controls.

Windows monitoring with Wazuh provides:

• Event Log Collection: Security, Application, and System logs
• Registry Monitoring: Detect changes to sensitive registry keys
• Active Directory Auditing: Track user and group changes
• Malware Detection: Integrate with Windows Defender or third-party AV

Configure Windows log sources in the agent's ossec.conf:

<localfile>
  <log_format>eventchannel</log_format>
  <location>Security</location>
</localfile>

For Windows hardening, refer to CIS Windows Security Controls.

Wazuh SIEM uses a powerful rules engine to generate alerts based on log patterns, anomalies, and threat intelligence. To configure alert rules:

• Edit /var/ossec/etc/rules/local_rules.xml to add custom rules
• Leverage built-in rules for common threats (e.g., brute force, privilege escalation)
• Enable integration with external threat feeds (e.g., MITRE ATT&CK, AlienVault OTX)

Example custom rule:

<rule id="100100" level="10">
  <decoded_as>json</decoded_as>
  <field name="event_type">unauthorized_access</field>
  <description>Unauthorized access attempt detected</description>
</rule>

For rule writing best practices, see MITRE ATT&CK Framework.

To receive alerts via email:

• Configure the email_alerts section in ossec.conf
• Set SMTP server, sender, and recipient addresses
• Define alert levels to trigger notifications

<global>
  <email_notification>yes</email_notification>
  <email_to>[email protected]</email_to>
  <smtp_server>smtp.example.com</smtp_server>
</global>

Test email delivery and adjust spam filters as needed. For secure email, enable STARTTLS or SSL.

Wazuh SIEM can be integrated with other security platforms for enhanced visibility and orchestration:

• Elastic Stack: Native integration for search and visualization
• Splunk: Forward Wazuh alerts to Splunk for correlation
• Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR): Integrate with tools like CrowdStrike or Unit 42
• Threat Intelligence Platforms: Enrich alerts with external threat data

For more on SIEM integrations, see Splunk SIEM resources.

Monitor cloud workloads and services by integrating Wazuh with:

• AWS: CloudTrail, GuardDuty, S3 access logs
• Azure: Activity Logs, Security Center alerts
• Google Cloud: Audit Logs, Security Command Center

Use the wazuh-modulesd and custom decoders to parse and analyze cloud logs. For guidance, see Wazuh cloud integrations.

If agents fail to connect to the server:

• Verify network connectivity (ping, telnet to port 1514)
• Check firewall rules on both server and agent
• Ensure agent key is correctly imported
• Review agent logs at /var/ossec/logs/ossec.log

For troubleshooting, see Wazuh agent troubleshooting.

If you cannot access the Wazuh Dashboard:

• Ensure the dashboard service is running: sudo systemctl status wazuh-dashboard
• Check for port conflicts (default: 5601)
• Review dashboard logs at /var/log/wazuh-dashboard/wazuh-dashboard.log
• Verify HTTPS certificates and browser compatibility

For more, see Wazuh dashboard troubleshooting.

To ensure a secure and resilient Wazuh SIEM deployment:

• Deploy Wazuh components on dedicated, hardened servers
• Use High Availability (HA) for critical components (server, Elastic Stack)
• Regularly back up configuration and alert data
• Monitor system performance and scale resources as needed
• Conduct periodic security assessments and update rulesets
• Document procedures and train staff on incident response

For a comprehensive checklist, see CIS Controls Implementation Guide.

Deploying Wazuh SIEM 2025 empowers organizations to proactively monitor hosts, detect threats, and respond swiftly to security incidents. By following this tutorial, you have learned how to install, configure, and optimize Wazuh for both Linux and Windows environments, set up alerting, and integrate with other security tools. Remember to adhere to security best practices, keep your deployment updated, and leverage the rich ecosystem of community and professional resources for ongoing success.

• Official Wazuh Documentation
• CISA: SIEM Resources
• SANS Institute: SIEM Best Practices
• MITRE ATT&CK Framework
• CIS Controls
• OWASP Security Resources
• Elastic SIEM Documentation
• Rapid7: SIEM Fundamentals
• Hashcat Usage 2025: Crack Passwords Efficiently