Framework: The Center for Internet Security (CIS) Top 18 Controls

Control 8—Audit Log Management—focuses on one of the most essential yet underutilized capabilities in cybersecurity: the power of audit logs. Logs are the digital footprints of system activity, recording events such as logins, file access, configuration changes, and network connections. When properly collected, analyzed, and retained, they provide the evidence needed to detect, investigate, and recover from security incidents. Unfortunately, many organizations generate massive volumes of logs but fail to monitor them effectively, creating “blind spots” that attackers exploit to remain undetected. This control establishes a structured approach to collecting and managing logs across systems, networks, and applications, ensuring that key events are captured in a standardized and reviewable manner. Comprehensive log management is foundational for intrusion detection, compliance reporting, and digital forensics, turning raw data into actionable intelligence.

Implementing effective log management begins with establishing a clear process that defines what to log, where to store it, and how long to retain it. Logs from endpoints, servers, network devices, and cloud services should feed into a centralized repository or Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) platform. Centralization enables correlation—linking related events across systems to detect patterns that individual logs might miss. Standardizing time synchronization across all assets ensures accurate event sequencing during investigations. Regular log reviews and automated alerts help detect anomalies early, such as repeated failed login attempts or unusual data transfers. Organizations must also balance retention requirements with storage capacity and privacy obligations, maintaining sufficient history to support both security analysis and compliance audits. By transforming logs from static records into dynamic analytical tools, Control 8 enables defenders to detect attacks quickly, understand their scope, and respond decisively before damage escalates.
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