What is the primary function of the Common Information Model (CIM)?

The primary function of the Common Information Model (CIM) is to normalize data to a common standard. This normalization process allows disparate data sources and types to be interpreted and correlated with ease across different systems and platforms. By standardizing the format of the data collected, the CIM ensures that all information can be efficiently analyzed and understood in a unified manner. This facilitates effective searching, reporting, and visualization within security operations.

When data is normalized according to the CIM, it helps analysts to seamlessly integrate information from various sources, which enhances their ability to detect patterns, anomalies, and potential threats. This is particularly important in cybersecurity, where data could come from logs, threat intelligence feeds, network traffic, and other monitoring tools that may employ different formats and terminologies. Having a common framework for all this information ultimately supports better decision-making and incident response.