Security Compliance

Self-Led Project Plan for Security Event Manager

This article provides a step-by-step guide for self-led onboarding of SolarWinds Security Event Manager (SEM). It includes installation, configuration of data sources and access settings, dashboard and real-time monitoring setup, creation of filters and automated rules, historical data searches, reporting, and upgrade procedures to help you effectively collect, analyze, and respond to security events for improved threat detection and compliance.

First published date

8/15/2025 8:56 PM

Last published date

3/13/2026 3:17 PM

Overview

Installation & Setup

Confirm SEM Installation

Perform a health check on your existing SEM installation to ensure it’s running the latest version.
Installation Overview

Verify System Requirements

Ensure SEM is sized correctly based on license and resources.
SEM System Requirements

Deploy SEM

Install SEM.
Install and deploy SEM 

Activate SEM License

Use online or offline methods to activate.
Activate the SEM license 


Access & Applications

Use SSH and CMC Console

Access SEM via VM console or secure SSH for administrative tasks.
CMC Console Guide
Log in to the SEM CMC command line interface
SSH Access Guide

Set Up Email Connector

Configure email alerts for rules or searches.
Email Connector Setup

Configure LDAP

Use domain accounts instead of local SEM accounts.
LDAP Configuration


Configure Data Sources

Install SEM Agents

Deploy agents to mission-critical servers/workstations.
SEM Agent Installation

Set Up Syslog Devices

Add network devices and normalize logs.
Add Syslog Device

Connector Profiles

Manage similar SEM agents collectively.
Connector Profile Management

Enable File Integrity Monitoring (FIM)

Detect unauthorized file changes.
FIM Configuration


Monitoring & Rules

SEM Dashboard

Visualize trends and suspicious activity.
Dashboard Overview

Live Events & Filters

Monitor real-time and historical data with event filters.
Events Console
About Filters

Create & Test Rules

Automate responses to events.
Rules Overview
Create Rules

Groups & Email Templates

Organize rule components and send alerts.
Groups Guide
Email Template Setup


Reports & Data Searches

Historical Data Searches

Schedule and automate search queries.
Manage Saved Searches

Reports Console

Access over 200 pre-built security reports.
SEM Reports App

Database Maintenance Reports

Review retention and storage usage.
Live data storage retention in SEM


Upgrade SEM

Perform SEM Upgrade

Follow best practices when upgrading to a newer version.
Upgrade Guide


Notes

Product section

Security Event Manager