In today’s world, every business is familiar with the term cybersecurity. With the rise in cyberattacks – from ransomware to advanced phishing – the question is, how do you stay a step ahead? A solid cybersecurity strategy is a must, and one key piece of that puzzle is event logging. Surprisingly, not every business owner is aware of it! 

Think of event logging as your digital detective. It tracks activities and events across your IT systems, helping you spot possible security threats and respond fast. As your managed IT service provider, we’re here to help you understand why event logging is important and guide you in setting up best practices to keep your network safe. 

What is Event Logging? 

Event logging is simply tracking everything that happens in your IT systems. Events can include things like: 

• Login attempts 

• File access 

• Software installs 

• Network traffic 

• Access denials 

• System changes 

Event logging puts a timestamp on all these activities, giving you a full picture of what’s happening across your network. With this ongoing record, you can detect threats and respond quickly. 

Why is event logging so important? 

• It helps you catch suspicious activity by monitoring system events and user behaviour. 

• It allows you to respond quickly with a clear record if a security breach occurs. 

• It’s often necessary for regulatory compliance to maintain accurate records of system activities. 

Best Practices for Effective Event Logging 

To get the most out of event logging, it’s best to follow a few key practices. Whether you’re just starting out or improving existing processes, these guidelines can help. 

Focus on What Matters Most 

Logging every single action on your network can create overwhelming data. Instead, concentrate on tracking the events that truly matter – those that signal potential security or compliance risks. 

Some of the top things to log are: 

• Logins and Logouts: Keep track of who’s accessing your systems and when, including failed login attempts, password changes, and new user accounts. 

• Accessing Sensitive Data: See who’s viewing your most valuable information to detect unauthorized access. 

• System Changes: Log any software installs, configuration changes, or updates to spot any changes that might open a backdoor. 

For small businesses, focusing on these critical areas keeps event logging manageable and effective. 

Centralize Your Logs 

Imagine solving a puzzle with pieces scattered across different rooms – that’s what it’s like trying to use multiple logs from various devices. Centralizing your logs is a game-changer. Using a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system brings all logs together from different devices, servers, and applications. 

This makes it easier to: 

• Spot patterns: Connect the dots between suspicious activities across systems. 

• Respond faster: Have everything you need in one place if an incident happens. 

• See the big picture: Get a full view of your network, making it easier to spot vulnerabilities. 

Make Your Logs Tamper-Proof 

Protect your event logs! Attackers often try to cover their tracks by deleting or altering logs. Tamper-proofing your logs is crucial. 

Here’s how: 

• Encrypt your logs: Lock down logs with encryption to keep unauthorized eyes out. 

• Use WORM storage: Write Once, Read Many (WORM) storage means logs can’t be changed or deleted once they’re written. 

• Set access controls: Limit log access to trusted personnel only. 

Tamper-proof logs give you a reliable record of events, even if someone tries to breach your systems. 

Set Up Log Retention Policies 

Keeping logs forever isn’t practical but deleting them too soon can be risky. Set up clear log retention policies based on a few factors: 

• Compliance needs: Some industries have specific requirements for how long logs must be kept. 

• Business needs: Think about how long you may need logs for investigations or audits. 

• Storage capacity: Ensure your policies don’t overload your storage. 

Balancing these factors keeps your log data relevant without slowing down performance. 

Review Logs Regularly 

Event logging only helps if you’re actively using it. Don’t set it and forget it – check your logs regularly to catch anomalies, spot patterns, and respond to potential threats quickly. Security software can help automate this. 

Here’s how to keep up with logs effectively: 

• Set automated alerts: Get notifications for critical events like failed logins or unauthorized access. 

• Do regular reviews: Look through logs routinely to spot patterns that could indicate a threat. 

• Correlate events: Use your SIEM to connect different activities, which can help you spot complex attacks. 

Need Help with Event Logging Solutions? 

The world of event logging might seem complex, but we’re here to help. As your trusted IT service provider, we can support you in setting up these practices and keeping your business protected. Give us a call or send an email to set up a chat. 

Article used with permission from The Technology Press.