In QRadar, what is an "Offense"?

In QRadar, an "Offense" refers to an indication of a potential security incident based on correlated events and rules. This concept is central to how QRadar operates as a security information and event management (SIEM) platform. When QRadar analyzes data from various sources, it uses a set of predefined rules and analytics to identify suspicious patterns or behaviors indicating potential security threats.

When these events are correlated—meaning they are linked or related in such a way that they suggest a heightened threat—the system generates an Offense. This is essentially a flag that alerts security personnel to investigate further because the correlated events suggest something more significant and potentially harmful may be occurring.

Creating Offenses from correlated events allows organizations to prioritize their security responses, ensuring that potential incidents are addressed quickly and effectively. The Offense acts as a summary of multiple related events, providing context and urgency that helps in incident response and investigation.

This understanding of what an Offense is within QRadar helps in leveraging the system to enhance security postures and respond to threats in a more informed manner.