table of contents
- 01.What is log monitoring?
- 02.Purpose of log monitoring
- 03.What types of logs should you monitor?
- 04.Key features of log monitoring tools
- 05.Benefits of log monitoring
- 06.What to consider when choosing a log monitoring tool
- 07.Key points regarding “measures against information leaks and internal fraud” that can be implemented using operation logs
- 08.Leave the acquisition and management of operation logs to “LANSCOPE Endpoint Manager”
- 09.summary
Log monitoring is carried out by monitoring the “logs” output by PCs, servers, network devices, etc., with the aim of “stable system operation” and “early detection of security incidents.”
If you can monitor logs in real time, you can quickly detect external attacks and internal fraud, and by informing employees that log monitoring is being conducted, it is also expected to deter fraudulent activity.
When choosing a log monitoring tool, consider the following points:
- Why do you need to monitor logs?
- “Agent” or “Agentless” monitoring?
- What do you want to monitor?
- What is your budget?
This article explains the overview of log monitoring, the functions of log monitoring tools, and how to choose one.
▼Key points of this article
- The purpose of log monitoring is to ensure stable system operation and early detection of security incidents.
- The main functions of a log monitoring tool are “monitoring function,” “search function,” “alert function,” and “report function.”
- The benefits of log monitoring include “quickly detecting external attacks and internal fraud,” “deterring fraudulent activities,” and “leading to more efficient operations.”
What is log monitoring?
Log monitoring involves continuously monitoring “logs (recorded data)” output by various systems such as PCs, servers, network devices, and business applications in real time or at regular intervals .
A “log” is a record of the history of processing performed by the system or an application, and there are various types of logs, such as “system logs,” which record the operating status of the OS, and “operation logs,” which record the user’s operation history.
Different data is accumulated depending on the purpose and target, and by monitoring this, you can understand the series of actions taking place on the system, such as “who accessed the system and when,” “what operation was performed,” and “in which process an error occurred.”
Purpose of log monitoring
Log monitoring is primarily performed for the purposes of “stable system operation” and “early detection of security incidents.”
Let’s take a look at the purposes of log monitoring.
Stable system operation
Minor errors occurring repeatedly at the same time or slowdowns in processing speed can lead to serious problems if left unattended.
By detecting such anomalies early through logs and taking appropriate measures, you can maintain the stability of the entire system and minimize the impact on operations.
Early detection of security incidents
Security-related abnormalities such as cyber attacks, internal fraud, and malware infections are also recorded in some form in the logs.
For example, the following behaviors may be indicators of a security incident:
- Logins that are unusual and were made late at night or on holidays
- Unnatural mass communication
- Repeated file access in a short period of time
Continuous log monitoring allows you to detect these abnormal patterns early and respond before an attack occurs in its early stages or before internal fraud escalates.
What types of logs should you monitor?
There are various types of logs, each of which allows you to understand the system status, user operation history, network behavior, etc. from a different perspective.
By acquiring and monitoring appropriate logs according to purpose and risk, it is possible to prevent failures and security incidents, detect them early, and investigate their causes.
In particular, the following logs are often important targets for monitoring and play an important role in an organization’s operations and security measures.
| Application Log | Logs that record application operations and operation status on the application. Examples: Application installation status, etc. |
|---|---|
| Event Log | Logs that record events that occur on the OS or applications. Examples: application errors, crashes, etc. |
| Middleware Logs | Logs that record the operation of middleware that sits between the application and the OS, such as web servers and databases. Example: Date and time of access to a web server, etc. |
| Operation Log | Logs that record the operations performed by users on the device. Examples of logs include logging on and off the device. |
| Print Log | Example of a log that records printing operation status : printing date and time, file name, etc. |
| File Log | Example of a log that records the status of file operations : updating, deleting files, etc. |
| Communication Log | Example of a log that records communication status on a network : Information on the computers and servers involved |
Key features of log monitoring tools
The main features of a log monitoring tool are as follows:
- Monitoring Features
- Search function
- Alert function
- Reporting
Let’s take a look at what functions each one has.
Monitoring Features
The monitoring function collects and monitors log data output from PCs, servers, network devices, applications, etc.
Many tools allow for 24/7 monitoring, and you can also configure what you want to monitor and what actions you want to record.
Expanding the scope of monitoring too much will increase the burden on operations staff, so it is recommended to limit monitoring to logs of high importance.
Search function
The search function allows you to quickly find the information you need from large amounts of log data.
Logs contain vast amounts of information, and flexible search functions are essential to identifying the cause of problems and user operation histories from within them.
Depending on the tool, you can narrow down your search by a variety of conditions, including not only keyword search but also date and time, log level, source IP address, etc. This function greatly contributes to the efficiency of troubleshooting and audit work.
Alert function
The alert function automatically notifies the person in charge when a log that matches the pre-set conditions is detected.
For example, if error messages are recorded consecutively or if a suspicious login is detected, an alert can be sent immediately, allowing for a quick response. Notification methods include email, chat tools, and pop-up displays.
Reporting
The report function analyzes collected logs and automatically creates regular, compiled reports.
Log trends, frequency of anomalies, response history, and more can be presented in a visually easy-to-understand manner, and can also be used for security audits and as reporting material to management.
Benefits of log monitoring
The benefits of log monitoring are as follows:
- External attacks and internal fraud can be detected quickly.
- It will deter fraudulent activity
- Leads to more efficient operations
External attacks and internal fraud can be detected quickly.
Using a log monitoring tool, you can check logs in real time, allowing you to quickly detect suspicious activities such as unauthorized logins or copying of important information.
In addition, by issuing an alert immediately when an abnormality is detected, it also helps prevent the damage from spreading.
Speeding up initial responses to security incidents is extremely important for maintaining the credibility of an organization and protecting customer information.
It will deter fraudulent activity
Another benefit is that the very fact of implementing log monitoring acts as a deterrent to fraudulent activity.
If system users are aware that their operations are being recorded and monitored, they will refrain from intentionally leaking information or performing operations that violate the rules.
From the perspective of internal control, collecting and monitoring logs is also an effective measure.
Leads to more efficient operations
Monitoring logs not only enhances security but also provides visibility into employee activities.
Specifically, by analyzing the operation logs of business PCs, it is possible to confirm what tasks were performed, when, and on which device.
This allows you to understand the time it takes to complete a task, so if you find that a particular task is taking a long time, you can allocate resources to that task, which can lead to more efficient operations.
What to consider when choosing a log monitoring tool
When choosing a log monitoring tool, it is a good idea to consider the following points:
- Why do you need to monitor logs?
- “Agent” or “Agentless” monitoring?
- What do you want to monitor?
- What is your budget?
If you are a company considering introducing a log monitoring tool, be sure to check it out.
Why do you need to perform log monitoring?
First of all, it is important to clarify the purpose of your company’s log monitoring.
For example, the functions and monitoring items required will vary depending on the purpose, such as “Are you aiming to respond quickly to cyber attacks?” or “Do you want to ensure traceability of operations?”
Clarifying your implementation goals will make it easier to choose the most appropriate tools.
“Agent” or “Agentless” monitoring?
There are two types of log monitoring: “agent monitoring”, in which software is installed on the monitored object, and “agentless monitoring”, in which software is not installed and the object is monitored externally.
Agent monitoring allows for the collection of detailed information from the inside, but it requires deploying agents to the target devices, which incurs operational costs and can put a strain on the devices.
On the other hand, agentless monitoring places less of a burden on servers and databases and does not require much effort to update, but compared to agent monitoring, it tends to be more difficult to collect detailed information.
What do you want to monitor?
The required log format and range of tools available will vary depending on what you want to monitor, such as PCs, servers, network devices, cloud services, or applications.
If you want to focus on monitoring specific logs, such as firewall logs or application logs, you must check in advance whether those logs are supported.
What is your budget?
When considering implementing a log monitoring tool, there are a variety of options available, from free open source to paid products.
To ensure continuous operation, it is important to estimate long-term costs, including not only initial setup costs but also monthly fees, maintenance costs, and expansion costs.
Choose the best tool by balancing the features you need with the cost.
Key points regarding “measures against information leaks and internal fraud” that can be implemented using operation logs
An operation log records the history of “when,” “who,” and “what” operations were performed on a system or file.
By using operation logs correctly, you can significantly reduce the risk of internal fraud and information leaks. Using operation logs is extremely effective in security measures for the following reasons:
Early detection and prevention of internal fraud
The operation log allows you to get a detailed understanding of what operations a specific employee performed on which files and when.
For example, it becomes easier to detect activities that differ from daily business operations, such as access outside of normal business hours, unauthorized file operations, and frequent deletion/copying.
In addition, by making employees aware that “all operations are recorded,” it is expected that this will have a deterrent effect on fraudulent behavior itself.
Managing evidence of information leaks and identifying the cause
In the unlikely event that confidential information is leaked, operation logs allow you to quickly identify the scope of the damage and take measures to prevent recurrence.
Use as evidence in audit responses
Operation logs also serve as evidence that “proper management is being carried out” for internal and external audits.
In particular, in industries where information security and compliance are important, it is often necessary to store and present operation logs.
In this way, operation logs are not just a record of events; they are also extremely important security assets that are useful for preventing, detecting, and responding to risks.
For this reason, it is important to build a system that analyzes logs regularly and automatically issues alerts for suspicious operations. It is also necessary to have a system in place that stores logs for long periods of time as evidence management, so that they can be checked immediately in the event of an emergency.
