This document provides an overview of how data is automatically extracted to
enhance the ability to ingest, process, and analyze data.
Google Security Operations uses prebuilt parsers
to extract and structure log data using the Unified Data Model (UDM) schema. Managing and
maintaining these parsers can be challenging due to several limitations: incomplete
data extraction, the growing number of parsers to manage, and the requirement for
frequent updates as log formats evolve.
To address these challenges, you can use the auto extraction
feature. This feature automatically extracts key-value pairs from JSON-formatted
and XML-formatted logs ingested into Google SecOps. It also supports Syslog-formatted
logs that include a JSON message. This extracted data is stored in a UDM, map-type
field called extracted. You can then use this data within UDM search queries,
Native Dashboards, and YARA-L
rules.
As a best practice, the UDM searches using extracted fields must include metadata.log_type
in their query to improve search query performance.
The benefit of auto extraction is reduced reliance on parsers, ensuring that data
remains available, even when a parser is not present or fails to parse a log.
Parse and extract data from the raw log
Parsing: Google SecOps attempts to parse logs using a parser
specific to the log type, if available. If no specific parser exists, or if parsing
fails, Google SecOps uses a general parser to extract basic information like
ingested timestamp, log type, and metadata labels.
Data Extraction: All data points are automatically extracted from the logs.
Event Enrichment: Google SecOps combines the parsed data and any
custom-formatted fields to create enriched events, providing more context and detail.
Downstream Data Transfer: These enriched events are then sent to other
systems for further analysis and processing.
Work with extractors
Extractors let you extract fields from high-volume log sources, and are designed
to optimize log management. By using extractors, you can reduce event size,
enhance parsing efficiency, and gain better control over data extraction.
This is especially useful for managing new log types or minimizing processing
time.
You can create extractors using the SIEM Settings menu or by performing a
raw log search.
Create extractors
Go to the Extract Additional Fields pane using either of the following
methods:
Click SIEM Settings > Parsers, and do the following:
In the PARSERS table that appears, identify a parser (log source)
and click more_vertMenu >
Extend Parser > Extract Additional Fields.
On the EVENTS tab in the UDM search results, select a log source to
view the Event Viewer pane.
On the Raw Log tab, click Manage Parser > Extend Parser >
Extract Additional Fields.
On the Select Extractors tab in the Extract Additional fields pane,
select the required raw log fields. By default, you can select up to 100 fields.
If no additional fields are available for extraction, a warning notice displays.
Click the Reference Raw Log tab to view the raw log data and preview
the UDM output.
Click Save.
The newly created extractor is labeled as EXTRACTOR.
Extracted fields are displayed in the UDM output asextracted.field{"fieldName"}.
View extractor details
Go to the extractor row in the PARSERS table and click more_vertMenu > Extend Parser > View Extension.
On the VIEW CUSTOM PARSERS page, click the Extensions and Extracted Fields tab.
This tab displays information on parser extensions and extractor fields.
You can modify or remove fields and preview the parser output from the VIEW CUSTOM PARSERS
page.
[[["Easy to understand","easyToUnderstand","thumb-up"],["Solved my problem","solvedMyProblem","thumb-up"],["Other","otherUp","thumb-up"]],[["Hard to understand","hardToUnderstand","thumb-down"],["Incorrect information or sample code","incorrectInformationOrSampleCode","thumb-down"],["Missing the information/samples I need","missingTheInformationSamplesINeed","thumb-down"],["Other","otherDown","thumb-down"]],["Last updated 2025-08-29 UTC."],[[["\u003cp\u003eAuto extraction is a feature in Google SecOps that automatically extracts key-value pairs from JSON-formatted logs, storing them in a UDM map-type field called \u003ccode\u003eextracted\u003c/code\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eThis feature reduces reliance on prebuilt parsers and ensures data availability even when a specific parser is absent or fails.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eAuto extraction enhances the ability to ingest, process, and analyze data, which is then searchable through UDM queries, Preview Dashboards, and YARA-L rules.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eUDM searches using extracted fields should include \u003ccode\u003emetadata.log_type\u003c/code\u003e to optimize search query performance.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eThe process includes parsing logs, extracting data, enriching events with parsed and custom fields, and then transferring this data downstream for analysis.\u003c/p\u003e\n"]]],[],null,["# Auto Extraction overview\n========================\n\nSupported in: \nGoogle secops [SIEM](/chronicle/docs/secops/google-secops-siem-toc)\n| **Note:** This feature is covered by [Pre-GA Offerings Terms](https://chronicle.security/legal/service-terms/) of the Google Security Operations Service Specific Terms. Pre-GA features might have limited support, and changes to pre-GA features might not be compatible with other pre-GA versions. For more information, see the [Google SecOps Technical Support Service guidelines](https://chronicle.security/legal/technical-support-services-guidelines/) and the [Google SecOps Service Specific Terms](https://chronicle.security/legal/service-terms/).\n\nThis document provides an overview of how data is automatically extracted to\nenhance the ability to ingest, process, and analyze data.\n\nGoogle Security Operations uses [prebuilt parsers](/chronicle/docs/ingestion/parser-list/supported-default-parsers)\nto extract and structure log data using the Unified Data Model (UDM) schema. Managing and\nmaintaining these parsers can be challenging due to several limitations: incomplete\ndata extraction, the growing number of parsers to manage, and the requirement for\nfrequent updates as log formats evolve.\n\nTo address these challenges, you can use the auto extraction\nfeature. This feature automatically extracts key-value pairs from JSON-formatted\nand XML-formatted logs ingested into Google SecOps. It also supports Syslog-formatted\nlogs that include a JSON message. This extracted data is stored in a UDM, map-type\nfield called `extracted`. You can then use this data within UDM search queries,\n[Native Dashboards](/chronicle/docs/reports/native-dashboards), and YARA-L\nrules.\n\nAs a best practice, the UDM searches using extracted fields must include `metadata.log_type`\nin their query to improve search query performance.\n\nThe benefit of auto extraction is reduced reliance on parsers, ensuring that data\nremains available, even when a parser is not present or fails to parse a log.\n| **Note:** This feature is being rolled out in phases, so some eligible log sources may not yet show extracted fields.\n\nParse and extract data from the raw log\n---------------------------------------\n\n1. **Parsing**: Google SecOps attempts to parse logs using a parser\n specific to the log type, if available. If no specific parser exists, or if parsing\n fails, Google SecOps uses a general parser to extract basic information like\n ingested timestamp, log type, and metadata labels.\n\n2. **Data Extraction**: All data points are automatically extracted from the logs.\n\n3. **Event Enrichment**: Google SecOps combines the parsed data and any\n custom-formatted fields to create enriched events, providing more context and detail.\n\n4. **Downstream Data Transfer**: These enriched events are then sent to other\n systems for further analysis and processing.\n\nWork with extractors\n--------------------\n\nExtractors let you extract fields from high-volume log sources, and are designed\nto optimize log management. By using extractors, you can reduce event size,\nenhance parsing efficiency, and gain better control over data extraction.\nThis is especially useful for managing new log types or minimizing processing\ntime.\n\nYou can create extractors using the **SIEM Settings** menu or by performing a\nraw log search.\n\n### Create extractors\n\n1. Go to the **Extract Additional Fields** pane using either of the following\n methods:\n\n - Click **SIEM Settings** \\\u003e **Parsers** , and do the following:\n 1. In the **PARSERS** table that appears, identify a parser (log source) and click more_vert **Menu** \\\u003e **Extend Parser** \\\u003e **Extract Additional Fields**.\n - Use [Raw Log Scan](/chronicle/docs/investigation/search-raw-logs) and do the following:\n 1. Select the required log sources (parsers) from the **Log Sources** menu.\n 2. From the raw log results, select a log source to open the **EVENT DATA** pane.\n 3. In the **EVENT DATA** pane, click **Manage Parser** \\\u003e **Extend Parser** \\\u003e **Extract Additional Fields**.\n - Use [UDM search](/chronicle/docs/investigation/udm-search#access_search) and do the following:\n 1. On the **EVENTS** tab in the UDM search results, select a log source to view the **Event Viewer** pane.\n 2. On the **Raw Log** tab, click **Manage Parser** \\\u003e **Extend Parser** \\\u003e **Extract Additional Fields**.\n2. On the **Select Extractors** tab in the **Extract Additional fields** pane,\n select the required raw log fields. By default, you can select up to 100 fields.\n If no additional fields are available for extraction, a warning notice displays.\n\n Click the **Reference Raw Log** tab to view the raw log data and preview\n the UDM output.\n3. Click **Save**.\n\nThe newly created extractor is labeled as `EXTRACTOR`.\nExtracted fields are displayed in the UDM output as`extracted.field{\"fieldName\"}`.\n| **Note:** For certain low-volume log types, auto extraction is enabled by default, and all fields are extracted automatically. These log types aren't labeled with the `EXTRACTOR` tag. If you try to extract additional fields, the system displays a message indicating that all fields are already being extracted and no further selection is needed.\n\n### View extractor details\n\n1. Go to the extractor row in the **PARSERS** table and click more_vert **Menu** \\\u003e **Extend Parser** \\\u003e **View Extension**.\n2. On the **VIEW CUSTOM PARSERS** page, click the **Extensions and Extracted Fields** tab.\n\nThis tab displays information on parser extensions and extractor fields.\nYou can modify or remove fields and preview the parser output from the **VIEW CUSTOM PARSERS**\npage.\n\n**Need more help?** [Get answers from Community members and Google SecOps professionals.](https://security.googlecloudcommunity.com/google-security-operations-2)"]]
