Sysmon
Windows Sysinternals service that logs detailed process, network, and file activity to the event log.
Technical Architecture & Overview
Sysmon is a Windows system service and driver that records process creation with command lines, image and file hashes, network connections, driver loading, and other telemetry into the Windows event log, using a schema that detection engineers rely on. Configuration files select which events to capture. Microsoft has announced native Sysmon-equivalent functionality coming to Windows, which may change deployment practice.
Targeted Technical Use Cases
Feeding SIEMs with high-value Windows endpoint telemetry beyond default event logging.
Evaluation & Trade-offs
Core Strengths
- +Widely used telemetry source for Windows detection engineering.
- +Configuration-driven event selection.
- +Powers nearly every public Windows detection rule set.
Trade-Offs & Limitations
- -Event volume needs storage planning.
- -Native Windows integration will eventually reduce the need for the add-on.
Defensive Security Application
Collecting endpoint events that make process injection, persistence, and lateral movement visible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sysmon?→
Sysmon is a Windows system service and driver that records process creation with command lines, image and file hashes, network connections, driver loading, and other telemetry into the Windows event log, using a schema that detection engineers rely on. Configuration files select which events to capture. Microsoft has announced native Sysmon-equivalent functionality coming to Windows, which may change deployment practice.
What is Sysmon used for?→
Feeding SIEMs with high-value Windows endpoint telemetry beyond default event logging.
What are the strengths of Sysmon?→
- +Widely used telemetry source for Windows detection engineering.
- +Configuration-driven event selection.
- +Powers nearly every public Windows detection rule set.
What are the limitations of Sysmon?→
- +Event volume needs storage planning.
- +Native Windows integration will eventually reduce the need for the add-on.
How is Sysmon used defensively?→
Collecting endpoint events that make process injection, persistence, and lateral movement visible.