What type of data does Splunk's risk index track?

Splunk's risk index primarily tracks events that modify risk with associated scores. This functionality allows organizations to quantify the potential risk posed by specific events in their network or infrastructure. By leveraging a risk scoring mechanism, the risk index aggregates relevant security incidents and assesses their impact based on predetermined criteria, facilitating a proactive approach to cybersecurity.

This method is effective for organizations because it enables them to prioritize their response to threats based on the risk level, ensuring that they can allocate resources more efficiently and address the most critical vulnerabilities first. By focusing on events that modify risk, Splunk provides analysts with a clear understanding of the current threat landscape, which enhances their decision-making capabilities.

In contrast, the other types of data mentioned do not capture the specific nature of risk adjustment. Raw machine data is often too broad and unsorted to provide meaningful insights into risk levels. Normalized data, while useful for consistency in reporting, does not inherently include the risk modification aspect. Lastly, unrelated historical events may offer context but do not contribute directly to the risk assessment process.