Log File Analysis

Event Log File Analysis

IT businesses with dynamic structure require more continuity when it comes to analyzing security events and logs from an enterprise wide perspective. Processes such as documenting regulatory compliances, defining security policies and implementing network management technologies largely depend upon proper log file analysis. In order to fully realize a security event log management system, the entire logging system needs to be redefined. For effective log file analysis, event log management technologies have come a long way to incorporate better data analyzing capabilities.

Advancements in technologies have led to the development of log analysis systems which take into account multiple devices from multiple vendors across a network.

Security events deliver an encompassing overview of network security performance and therefore analyzing large amount of data collected over the network forms the basis of log management solutions. The major objectives of log file analysis can be summarized as follows:

• Through log analysis, critical events can be easily and automatically segregated from the normal data traffic.
• Detailed and informative reports can be obtained and network security activities can be easily identified.
• Log analysis proves beneficial for documenting the regulatory compliance and auditing practices within an organization.

The need for log analysis

Security infrastructure within an enterprise forms a complex mesh with multiple software, services and applications configured to a network. As a result, the logs and the reporting structure become divergent with no set standards for data collection, storage and distribution. Devices such as firewalls, IDS and IPS generate massive amount so of data and streamlining the corresponding events is no simple task. Log analysis proves to be the optimum solution for securing a network by utilizing the information obtained from the event log files.

However, log file analysis of such heterogeneous data is only possible with generic type event messages instead of the usual cryptic event logs. Effective analysis further requires automatic aggregation of the event log data at a centralized location from where a consolidated view of the collected events can be obtained. Centralization of event logs in turn aids in better documenting and reporting practices, thereby resulting in faster log analysis and response time in case of security threats.