Ingest data from Cribl ↗

The Cribl data collector is a standard, out-of-the-box integration that ingests data collected by Cribl from multiple sources and streams it to Cortex XSIAM. This integration ensures that all downstream capabilities, including advanced analytics, are fully available within the platform.

Because the onboarding configuration in Cribl directly impacts the output sent to Cortex XSIAM, certain sources must be implemented according to specific requirements to ensure compatibility.

Key requirements and recommendations

  • Data integrity: Raw data must be collected and streamed "as-is" from the original vendor. Any modifications made within Cribl may interfere with how Cortex XSIAM processes the data.
  • Format consistency: For data sources supporting multiple collection methods, Cortex XSIAM expects the data format to match its standard collectors.
  • Palo Alto Networks products: For optimal results, it is recommended to ingest data from Palo Alto Networks products, such as Next-Generation Firewall, using dedicated Cortex XSIAM data collectors rather than through Cribl. Ingesting NGFW data via Cribl will omit the Enhanced Application Logging (EAL) layer.

Implementation workflow

Perform the following tasks in the order they appear:

Tasks 1 through 3 are typically performed once during the initial integration setup.

Task 1. Create New Data Sources in Cribl

Onboard your data sources in Cribl following the standard Cribl documentation.

Ensure you have the necessary credentials and IDs for each source, such as Tenant ID, App ID, and Client Secret.

  • Collector selection: Use specific collectors from the Cribl catalog when available. If a dedicated collector does not exist, use the generic UUID collector. In this case, verify the log collection method and ensure the data format aligns with Cortex XSIAM ingestion requirements.
  • Data segmentation: To ensure optimal performance, configure a separate Cribl source collector for each data type to make routing/filtering easier and more efficient. For example, configure separate collectors for Microsoft 365 users, groups, and contacts.
  • Analytics support: Any data source can be ingested using the generic UUID collector with the correct vendor and product fields. Yet, while parsing and modeling rules can be applied to any source, out-of-the-box (OOTB) analytics are only available for data sources using dedicated UUIDs. For more information, see Data source UUIDs.

Task 2. Generate Credentials in Cortex XSIAM

Only one Cribl data collector instance can be configured in Cortex XSIAM. All Cribl sources will share this single connection.

  1. Select Settings → Data Sources & Integrations.
  2. Search for Cribl, select the integration, and click Add Instance.
  3. In the Name field, enter a descriptive name, and click Save & generate token.
  4. Copy the Authorization Token (by clicking the copy icon) and save it in a secure location immediately. You cannot access this token again once the dialog is closed.
  5. On the Data Sources & Integrations page, click the link icon for your Cribl instance to Copy API URL, and save it for future use.

Task 3. Configure the Cortex XSIAM destination in Cribl

Using the credentials from Task 2, configure the Cortex XSIAM destination tile in Cribl.

Item Field Details
Cortex XSIAM URL XSIAM Endpoint Paste the API URL.
Authorization Token Authorization Token Paste the token.

For general destination configuration details, see Cribl documentation.

Task 4. Apply the Palo Alto XSIAM pack and pipelines in Cribl

You must apply the Palo Alto XSIAM pack and configure a dedicated pipeline for each data source.

These steps differ depending on whether you are connecting to a specific data source supported from the Cortex XSIAM Cribl catalog or another product using the generic UUID. For a complete list of the supported data sources in the catalog, see Data source UUIDs.

Apply the XSIAM pack using a collector supported in the Cribl catalog

  1. Install the Palo Alto XSIAM pack.
    1. In Cribl, select Stream → Worker Groups, and select the default Worker Group that you want to add the pack to.
    2. Select Processing → Packs.
    3. Select Add Pack → Add from Dispensary.
    4. Search for XSIAM, and install the Palo Alto XSIAM pack.

  2. Connect the data source to the XSIAM destination to define the route.

    This step can be performed using either QuickConnect or Routes. The instructions below explain how to do this using QuickConnect.

    1. For the same default worker group, select the Overview tab.
    2. Under QuickConnect, click Source.
    3. Under Source, find the data source that you onboarded in Task 1, and from the + icon drag and drop to the XSIAM destination to define the route.
  3. Assign the pack.
    1. Click on the line connecting the data source to the XSIAM destination, and click Pack.
    2. In the Add Pack to Connection window, select the Palo Alto XSIAM pack.
    3. Click Save.

  4. End-to-end connection.

    The pack includes built-in pipelines for supported sources. Each contains a specific UUID in the __sourceIdentifier parameter. This UUID signals to the XSIAM destination, which data source is streaming.

    To enable the connection, the specific source must be enabled in the pack, and the pipeline must route the data using a filter using the format __inputId=='data_source'. These filters are usually specific to the environment and is how Cribl Stream is configured.

    1. For the same default worker group, select Processing → Packs.
    2. Under Display name, click Palo Alto XSIAM.
    3. On the left pane, expand the third row.
    4. Scroll down to the data source that you connected to XSIAM, enable the toggle.

    5. Click on the name of the data source under Route to display the routing information, including the configured route name, filter, and pipeline. The values displayed here must match the data source connected to XSIAM.

      To view the configuration of the pipeline, select the attachment icon → Eval. Under Evaluate fields, you can see the _sourceIdentifier configured, where the Value Expression field should match the UUID for the specific collector from the Cribl catalog. This UUID is automatically configured once you've enabled the data source in the pack.

    6. Click Save.

Apply XSIAM pack using generic UUID collector

If you wish to connect a data source not listed in the UUID Cribl catalog, use the generic UUID with the correct vendor and product fields. Make sure the vendor and the product match the existing content packs available in Cortex XSIAM.

  1. Install the Palo Alto XSIAM pack.
    1. In Cribl Stream → Worker Groups, select the default Worker Group that you want to add the pack to.
    2. Select Processing → Packs.
    3. Select Add Pack → Add from Dispensary.
    4. Search for XSIAM, and install the Palo Alto XSIAM pack.
  2. Create a dedicated pipeline for the new data source to the Palo Alto XSIAM pack, such as Fortinet Fortigate.
    1. For the same default worker group, select Processing → Pipelines.
    2. Select Add Pipeline → Add Pipeline.
    3. In the ID field, provide a name for this data source, such as GenericDataSource.
    4. Click Save.
  3. Add three additional fields to this pipeline.
    1. Click Add Function, search for Eval, and select Eval.
    2. Under Evaluate fields, select Add Field, and define the following fields:
      • Fields 1:
        • Name: __sourceIdentifier
        • Value Expression: 'af01292940d7426594d3d3e55ae17ee0', which is the Generic UUID.
      • Field 2:
        • Name: __vendor
        • Value Expression: <name of vendor>, such as 'fortinet'.
      • Field 3:
        • Name: __product
        • Value Expression: <name of product>, such as 'fortigate

Note

Data streams into the vendor_product_raw dataset in Cortex XSIAM. It should match an existing Marketplace content pack.

  1. Create a dedicated route between the data source and the newly-created pipeline.
    1. Select the Routes tab, and click Add Route.
    2. Configure the following:
      • Route name: Enter a distinct name for the route.
      • Filter: Enter or select a filter using the format __inputId=='data_source' so the the pipeline can route the data from the data source. These filters are usually specific to the environment and is how Cribl Stream is configured.
      • Pipeline: Enter the name of the pipeline that you created above for the new generic data source, such as GenericDataSource as created above.
      • Description (optional): Enter a description for this route.
    3. On the blue line of the new route, click the ellipse menu, and select Group Actions → Create Group.
    4. Define the following:
      • Group name: Enter a generic name for these types of generic data sources , such as "Generic Data Sources with PANW assigned UUID".
      • Description (optional): Enter a unique description.
    5. Click Save.

Task 5. Verification

Verify that data is streaming as expected from Cribl to Cortex XSIAM.

  • In Cribl:
    1. Select Stream → Worker Groups, and select the default Worker Group that you want to add the pack to.
    2. In the Overview tab and under QuickConnect, click Source.
    3. Hover over the data source that you connected to Cortex XSIAM, and click Configure.
    4. In the Charts tab, verify that streaming is in progress.
  • In Cortex XSIAM, on the Data Sources & Integrations page, when streaming begins, a green check mark appears below the Cribl configuration, along with the amount of data received.

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