AU.L2-3.3.6

Raw audit log data is difficult to review, analyze, and report because of the volume of data. Audit record reduction is an automated process that interprets raw audit log data and extracts meaningful and relevant information without altering the original logs. An example of log reduction for files to be analyzed would be the removal of details associated with nightly backups. Report generation on reduced log information allows you to create succinct customized reports without the need to burden the reader with unimportant information. In addition, the security-relevant audit information must be made available to personnel on demand for immediate review, analysis, reporting, and event investigation support. Performing audit log reduction and providing on-demand reports may allow the analyst to take mitigating action before an adversary completes its malicious actions.

Example

You are in charge of IT operations in a company that processes CUI. You are responsible for providing audit record reduction and report generation capability. To support this function, you deploy an open-source solution that will collect and analyze data for signs of anomalies. The solution queries your central log repository to extract relevant data and provide you with a concise and comprehensive view for further analysis to identify potentially malicious activity [a]. In addition to creating on-demand data sets for analysis, you create customized reports explaining the contents of the data set [b].

Potential Assessment Considerations

• Does the system support on-demand audit review, analysis, and reporting requirements and after-the-fact security investigations [b]?