Today’s businesses are no stranger to the word cybersecurity. They face a growing wave of cyberattacks, from ransomware to sophisticated phishing schemes. How can you stay ahead of these threats? A strong cybersecurity strategy is essential, and one crucial component of this strategy is event logging—something not every business owner is fully aware of.

Think of event logging as a digital detective. Tracking activities and events across your IT systems help spot potential security breaches and allows for a swift response. At Lightwire Solutions, we’re here to guide you through implementing event logging best practices to safeguard your network effectively.

What is Event Logging?

Event logging involves tracking all events that occur within your IT systems. An “event” can cover many different things, including:

• Login attempts
• File access
• Software installations
• Network traffic
• Denial of access
• System changes
• And much more

By tracking these events and adding timestamps, you gain a robust, ongoing view of your IT environment, helping you quickly detect and respond to threats. Lightwire Solutions can help you manage and leverage event logging for optimal security.

Why is it critical to track and log all these events?

• Detect suspicious activity: By monitoring user behavior and system events, you can identify unusual patterns that might signal an attack. 
• Respond quickly to incidents: Event logs provide a clear record of what happened during a breach, allowing for an efficient response.
• Meet regulations: Certain industries require accurate record-keeping of system activities. Event logging helps ensure compliance and prevent penalties.

Best Practices to Use Event Logging Effectively

Event logging is most effective when you follow best practices. At Lightwire Solutions, we guide businesses in adopting these strategies to optimize event logging and strengthen their cybersecurity defenses.

Log What Matters Most

It’s essential to log the events that can reveal security breaches and compliance risks without overwhelming yourself with data. Here are the most important events to track:

• Logins and Logouts: Track all access points to your systems, including failed attempts and new account setups.
• Accessing Sensitive Data: Keep an eye on who’s viewing sensitive information.
• System Changes: Record any adjustments to system configurations, software installations, or updates, which may reveal vulnerabilities.

Lightwire Solutions can help you focus on logging the critical events, making this process manageable and cost-effective for your business.

Centralize Your Logs

Imagine solving a puzzle with pieces scattered across different rooms, it’s chaotic! Centralizing logs with a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system gathers all event logs in one place, making them easier to manage and act upon. Here’s why centralization matters:

• Spot patterns: Connect the dots between suspicious activities across systems.
• Respond faster: All the evidence you need is at your fingertips in case of an incident.
• Get a complete picture: See your network to identify weaknesses.

Lightwire Solutions can implement SIEM solutions that help centralize and streamline your log management for a more proactive security stance.

Ensure Logs Are Tamper-Proof

Securing your event logs is essential to prevent attackers from covering their tracks. Protecting your logs ensures they remain accurate and intact. Here’s how:

• Encrypt your logs: Encryption keeps logs unreadable to unauthorized viewers.
• Use WORM storage: Write-Once-Read-Many storages keeps logs unalterable.
• Access controls: Limit log access to authorized personnel only.

Our team at Lightwire Solutions can implement these safeguards, ensuring your logs remain a trusted source for post-incident analysis.

Establish Log Retention Policies

A clear log retention policy helps keep necessary data without overwhelming your storage or losing valuable information too soon. Consider these points:

• Compliance requirements: Some industries mandate minimum retention times.
• Business needs: Keep logs as long as necessary for investigations and audits.
• Storage capacity: Ensure the policy aligns with available storage.

Lightwire Solutions assists businesses in setting retention policies that balance compliance needs and practical storage management.

Check Logs Regularly

Event logging works only if you actively monitor the data. Automated alerts and periodic reviews help you identify potential threats before they escalate. Here’s how to make the most of your logs:

• Set automated alerts: Notify your team of critical events.
• Perform periodic reviews: Regular log analysis uncovers hidden threats.
• Correlate events: Connect activities to reveal larger patterns or attacks.

Lightwire Solutions can automate these checks, allowing your business to respond to threats proactively.

Need Help with Event Logging Solutions?

Lightwire Solutions is your trusted partner in managed IT services. With expertise in event logging and cybersecurity, we can help you set up these best practices, optimize your IT infrastructure, and protect your business. Call or email us today to discuss how event logging can strengthen your security and compliance efforts.

Article used with permission from The Technology Press.