Log management is a critical component of network security that should never be overlooked. Learning the fundamentals will give you a better understanding of how important it really is and help you to choose the best tools for your organization.

What Is A Log?

A log is a file that your system produces automatically every time specific events occur. These log files record anything and everything that the application, server, OS, or network assigns importance to, and they are typically time-stamped. A log can document a variety of events like application errors, messages and transactions between users, files requested by users of a website, and backup records. 

Types Of Log Files

There are different types of log files. Some logs are kept for auditing reasons within the system and are not readable by humans, but others you can open and read. A few common types of log files are:

• Message logs
• Transaction logs
• Error logs
• Event logs
• Audit logs

Log File Extensions

Log files use extensions like .txt, .log, and many proprietary extensions. Depending on which extension a file has and its readability, it may be possible to open it with a text editor like Notepad or a word processing app like Google Docs. Many proprietary file types, however, require specific applications in order to open them.

Importance Of Audit Logs

If you do not save complete audit logs, you could completely fail to notice an attack. Irreversible damage could be done long before you even realize it. Essentially, not collecting, storing, and analyzing log data, you are leaving holes in your network security. These holes allow cybercriminals to hide their location, activities, and malware in your assets. Even if you know that your network has been compromised, if you don’t have complete logs there is no way to know the details of the attack or the full extent of the damage.

Log Management Tools

Log management refers to all of the processes and activities utilized to view and extract useful data from the logs of applications or systems. These tools can generate, collect, read, sort, transmit, store, and delete the enormous amounts of data in all of your log files. We use these tools to go through that vast well of information from apps, systems, networks, software, and users, and handle them as needed. Security information and event management (SIEM) software represents the evolution of log management.

RAVENii Has Solutions

RAVENii makes security event and log management easy and affordable with our managed SIEM Wave 3 & Logging Solution. The SIEM Wave 3 & Logging Solution is powered by MixMode and is the only solution on the market utilizing 3rd Wave Artificial Intelligence. 

3rd Wave AI has many advantages that solve the business challenges surrounding traditional SIEM solutions like; containing price creep, storing network traffic data volumes, and working with historical information.

For more information about RAVENii’s SIEM Wave 3 & Logging Solution or any other network security concerns, click here or call (844) 317-0944.