Elastic Security vs FileAudit

Elastic Security combines SIEM, XDR, endpoint security, and cloud security for detecting, preventing, and responding to cyber threats. Detection options include prebuilt and customizable rules, machine-learning anomaly detection, and threat hunting. Elastic Defend uses machine learning, behavioral analysis, and prebuilt rules to address endpoint threats; cloud capabilities cover cloud and Kubernetes security posture management, workload protection, and vulnerability management. Elastic Workflows can automate triage, enrichment, response, notifications, and case management. Elastic lists more than 400 prebuilt integrations and up to 1,000 total security and data-source integrations, alongside native OpenTelemetry support. The software can run on Elastic Cloud or self-managed infrastructure, with APIs and query options KQL, Lucene, and ES|QL. The free Basic plan includes SIEM, XDR, and host security analysis. Elastic Cloud Hosted and Serverless offer a 14-day free trial. Security Analytics Essentials is listed at $0.09 a month, with retention priced separately; Essentials also includes endpoint protection, while retention is priced separately at as low as $0.017 per retained GB per month. Elastic Cloud uses HTTPS for internet-facing and inter-node communications and encrypts cluster data at rest.

FileAudit monitors, alerts on, and reports access to files and folders across Windows file servers and supported cloud storage. On Windows, it records access events in real time and associates them with user accounts, IP addresses, and machine names. Alerts can flag denied access, deletions, or mass file events; predefined PowerShell scripts can be configured to block or log off a user. Reports cover NTFS permissions, permission changes, ownership, and file or folder properties. Cloud auditing is an add-on for services including OneDrive for Business, SharePoint Online, Microsoft Teams, Google Drive, Dropbox Business, and Box. It reads provider audit logs and collects activity metadata rather than file contents; connected services need a supported subscription plan and administrator authorization. Deployment is agentless, so the software need not be installed on the Windows server under audit. Reports are described as supporting GDPR, HIPAA, ISO 27001, and PCI-DSS. Requirements include Windows Server 2012 R2 or later, Windows 8.1 or later, and .NET Framework 4. The trial lasts 20 days and is limited to three servers. Pricing is based on an annual subscription determined by users and systems audited.