How do alerts fundamentally differ from reports in Splunk ES?

Alerts in Splunk ES are designed to respond to specific conditions that, when met, require immediate action. They continuously monitor data in real-time or near-real-time and trigger notifications based on defined thresholds or criteria, signaling that something may need attention, such as a potential security incident or system anomaly. This proactive aspect of alerts is what fundamentally separates them from reports.

Reports, on the other hand, are typically used for analysis and are generated based on historical data that is scheduled for retrieval at specific intervals. They do not trigger actions in response to real-time conditions, but rather provide insights or summaries of past data that can be reviewed periodically.

This distinction emphasizes that alerts are about immediate action and response, making them critical for security processes where timely intervention is essential. In contrast, reports serve more as analytical tools for understanding trends and patterns over time.