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Log Management

What is Log Management?

The process of collecting, aggregating, storing, and analysing log data from various sources across an IT environment. Log management supports security monitoring, compliance reporting, and incident investigation.

Information Security

Each of these is named in at least one of the same controls as log management. The number is how many controls name both.

What the standards actually require on log management

Requirements naming log management across 6 standards, quoted from the control text.

NIST SP 800-925 controls

Establish a log management programme per NIST SP 800-92 Chapter 2 (Introduction to Computer Security Log Management) + Chapter 4 (Log Management Planning).

NISTSP92-1 · Log Management Programme, Policy, Roles, and Operational Runbooks
CIS Controls v83 controls

Establish and maintain an audit log management process that defines the enterprise’s logging requirements. At a minimum, address the collection, review, and retention of audit logs for enterprise assets.

CIS-8.1 · Establish and Maintain an Audit Log Management Process

Aggregate security logs in Microsoft Sentinel or equivalent SIEM with documented detection rules and analyst workflows.

LT-5 · Centralize security log management and analysis

Implement security monitoring including IDS/IPS, SIEM, and log analysis. Retain security logs for at least 1 year. Review logs regularly for anomalies.

ISMSP-SYS-03 · Security Monitoring and Log Management

ICT systems must implement event logging and log management sufficient to detect and investigate security events.

DSPF-P20 · Information and technology security - logging and monitoring

Implement hardware, software, and procedural mechanisms that record and examine activity in information systems that contain or use ePHI. NIST recommends central log management aligned to SP 800-92.

164.312(b) · Audit Controls (Standard)

Questions people ask about log management

What is Log Management?
The process of collecting, aggregating, storing, and analysing log data from various sources across an IT environment. Log management supports security monitoring, compliance reporting, and incident investigation.
Why is Log Management important for compliance?
Log Management is a key concept in Information Security. Understanding log management helps organizations meet regulatory requirements, reduce risk, and demonstrate due diligence during audits. Our compliance platform maps 686 frameworks with 311K cross-framework control mappings.
Which compliance frameworks address Log Management?
Log Management appears in the requirement text of NIST SP 800-92, CIS Controls v8, Azure Security Benchmark, South Korea ISMS-P, Defence Security Principles Framework (DSPF). Across these standards we have identified 12 controls that name it directly, each linked to the control text on the compliance platform.
Where can I learn more about Log Management?
Explore our compliance framework pages to see how log management applies across different standards and regulations. Our implementation guides provide step-by-step guidance, and the compliance platform offers AI-powered analysis of how this concept maps across 686 frameworks.

See how Log Management applies across compliance frameworks

Our platform maps 686 frameworks with 311K cross-framework control mappings. Explore how this concept is addressed across standards.

Written and maintained by Gerard Blokdyk, The Art of Service.