Question

What role do audit logs play in defending against threats? and also include in-text citation of source for the answer along with references.

Answer 1

An audit log is a chronological record of security-relevant data that documents the sequence of activities affecting an operation, event, procedure, file or document.

Audit logs help in the following :

Increased Security

Having detailed audit logs can protect a business from liability during legal battles. They also help companies monitor data for any potential security breaches or internal misuses of information. They are also a great way to ensure that proper document protocols are followed consistently, and to prevent (and track down) fraud.

Risk Management

Audit logs can play an important part in a business’ overall risk management strategy, demonstrating to customers, business partners and regulators that an organization has made a thorough effort to protect against and prevent potential problems before they occur.

Demonstrate Compliance

Organizations must comply with tax regulations and federal laws such as the Sarbanes-Oxley act and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, in addition to industry-specific regulations. Audit logs can be used as proof of regulatory compliance during an audit and can help a company fulfill its record-keeping requirements for compliance purposes.