Most software and systems generate audit logs. They are a means to examine what activities have occurred on the system and are typically used for diagnostic performance and error correction. System Administrators, network engineers, developers, and help desk personnel all use this data to aid them in their jobs and maintain system stability. Audit logs have also taken on new importance for cybersecurity and are often the basis of forensic analysis, security analysis, and criminal prosecution.

In part 5, we looked at auditing your network device logs. A decade ago, security professionals were primarily concerned about network perimeter and endpoint security. While those concerns are still valid, technological advancements have created new scenarios that need to be addressed.

One of the most common business requirements data handlers face is the numerous data privacy standards present as industry standards. Each industry has their own variation, each with their own specific requirements — but regardless of the standard or the applied dataset, compliance is extremely important.