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Today, logging is critical for information security and system management, plays an indispensable role in the daily operations of many businesses. For professionals and enthusiasts looking for an answer to the question of what is logging, This concept means recording and analysing events in systems. For those who wonder what log means, this term refers to automatically recorded records of activities that take place in computer systems.
In this article, a detailed answer to the question of what logging means and we will examine the topic of what is a log in depth. Also, how logging systems work, We will discuss the impact of legal regulations on logging and the benefits of log collection to businesses. This information can be found in, will provide valuable insights for anyone seeking security and efficiency in the modern digital world.
What is Logging?
Definition of Logging
Logging is the process of automatically recording all activities that take place in digital systems. The English word “log” means “record” or “log” in Turkish. In the IT world, logging refers to the systematic recording of every operation performed by computers and network devices. These records are usually stored daily or weekly in text files with the “.log” extension.
The Importance of Logging
It plays a critical role in modern digital infrastructures. It is especially vital in terms of cyber security. Businesses, detect abnormal activities in their networks thanks to log records and take quick measures against possible threats. Also, logging systems create an effective defence mechanism against internal and external threats.
Legal regulations have also increased the importance of logging. For example, Law No. 5651 and the ISO 27001 standard require businesses to keep log records. These records play a critical role in the detection of possible cybercrimes and legal investigations.
Contents of Log Records
Log records document in detail the events that occur on the system. These logs usually contain the following information:
- Date and time information
- User name or credential
- Action or process performed
- IP address and device information (such as MAC address)
- System changes and error messages
This information allows system administrators and security experts to monitor activity on the network, helps to perform fault detection and identify potential security breaches. Also, log records are used in internal audit processes and legal reporting to meet the requirements of the cyber threats. To learn how to detect cyber threats You can take a look at our Cyber Threat Intelligence Training.
Working Principle of Logging Systems
Logging systems play a critical role in the world of computing. These systems operate in three basic phases: log collection, log analysis and log storage. Each stage is important for effective monitoring and management of systems. Especially when analysing logs on Windows based systems, The detailed data provided by tools like Sysmon is of great importance. For more information on this topic, please see our article titled Sysmon Log Analysis: Threat Hunting on Windows Systems.
Log Collection
Log collection is the process of collecting event records in various formats from different systems. In this process, it is essential that the logs are collected reliably and not modified. For example, Windows systems use the Event Log method, while Linux and Unix systems prefer the syslog protocol. Firewalls record logs with methods such as syslog, OPSEC LEA or W3C. However, some protocols such as syslog may be unreliable and there may be problems such as logs not reaching the destination. Therefore, it is important to know how the log collection product handles such issues.
Log Analysis
Log analysis is the process of analysing and making sense of the collected data. At this stage, log files are cleaned, prepared and analysed. The results ofthe analysis are used to understand the behaviour of systems and applications, is used to detect problems and improve performance. Log analysis, is also important in terms of technical SEO and internet play a critical role in identifying opportunities for their sites. For example, site visits by search engine bots, Information such as response codes and browsing frequency of pages can be obtained.
Log Retention
Log retention is the process of securely storing collected and analysed logs. Some log collection products store logs in a unique way, while others use industry-standard databases. Log retention period may vary depending on legal regulations. For example, Law No. 5651 requires logs to be kept between 6 months and 1 year. The “Log Retention” feature is used to store old records, so that logs can be stored in more cost-effective environments and restored to the system when necessary. For more information about SOC processes and log collection techniques, you can review our SOC L1 Training.
Legal Regulations and Logging
Logging today is not only for solving system problems, It is also done to ensure security and compliance with standards. Many national and international regulations determine the obligations of organisations in log management.
Law No. 5651
Law No. 5651, to control access to the internet and to control access to the internet It aims to prevent cybercrimes committed through the internet. This law is applicable to access providers, hosting providers, The Law imposes various obligations on content providers and internet bulk usage providers. Within the scope ofthe Law, these institutions must keep access logs and records of users. Logs must be signed with a time stamp and kept for at least 6 months and at most 2 years.
PDPL and Logging
Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL), The PDPL introduces important regulations on the processing and protection of personal data. PDPL in terms of logging, recording the processing processes of personal data and requires these records to be stored securely. This is critical to the detection and prevention of data breaches.
International Standards
Internationally, FISMA, HIPAA, SOX, Standards such as COBIT and ISO 27001 require log management. For example, PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) log management as one of the 12 basic requirements. These standards shape the log management policies of organisations and strengthen their security practices.
These legal regulations and standards, determines the approaches of organisations on log management and It plays an important role in ensuring cyber security. Every organisation, formulate its own security policy in line with these regulations and log management practices accordingly.
Benefits of Logging for Businesses
Logging is an indispensable tool for businesses to secure and optimise their digital infrastructure. This technology provides various advantages to businesses by recording all actions that take place in the systems. Businesses can increase their security thanks to logging, can quickly detect and fix errors and optimise their performance.
Safety Improvement
It plays a critical role in strengthening the cyber security of businesses. Detection of unauthorised access attempts is possible through logs. For example, unsuccessful login attempts to a system are recorded in logs. This one, security teams to detect potential threats at an early stage and take the necessary measures.
Logging also helps to monitor suspicious behaviour on the system. To access data that a user should not normally have access to work or make an unusual transaction, This is recorded in the logs and draws the attention of the security team. In this way, possible security breaches can be quickly detected and prevented.
Error Detection and Troubleshooting
Logging, It is of great importance in the debugging and troubleshooting stages of the software development process. Whenan error occurs in an application, logs come into play like a detective. Every step the application runs, It records in detail what operations have been performed and what data has been processed.
Thanks to these detailed records, It becomes much easier to find the source of the error and solve the problem. For example, problems such as 404 Error Codes that are frequently encountered on websites, can be quickly detected and fixed with regular checks of log files. While this improves the user experience, it also positively affects SEO performance.
Performance Optimisation
Logging is also used to monitor and optimise the performance of business systems and applications. Logs that record how long each process takes help to understand which processes take longer than expected and the reasons for these delays. This information is critical for identifying potential bottlenecks and using system resources more efficiently.
In addition, the logs show which resources the application is using and how much. Processor (CPU), memory (RAM), provides detailed information about the usage of system components such as disc input/output (I/O) and network traffic. These data are, system administrators to anticipate performance problems and make the necessary optimisations.
Conclusion
Logging has become an indispensable tool for modern businesses to manage and secure their digital infrastructure. This technology plays an important role in increasing security, detecting errors and improving performance by recording, analyzing and storing events in systems. Legal regulations and international standards also emphasize the importance of logging and encourage businesses to be more careful in this regard.
As a result, logging is not only a technical requirement but also a strategic asset that enhances the competitiveness of businesses. In today’s world of increasing cyber threats, developing an effective logging strategy is vital for businesses to protect their digital assets and increase operational efficiency. Therefore, investing in and continuously updating logging systems is one of the keys to success in the digital age.
Frequently Asked Questions About Logging
What are the types of logs?
Log types include system logs, application logs, security logs, access logs, network logs, performance logs and audit logs are available.
What are the types of logs?
Log types include system logs, application logs, security logs, access logs, network logs, performance logs and audit logs.
What does the Logs app do?
Logs application is a process of recording digital movements. It keeps a record of every work done in electronic systems such as software, operating systems and IOT devices, which is becoming more and more important with advancing technology.
What is a log in IT?
In IT, a log means a record of all activities performed by a computer. This allows you to audit all your operations, identify critical situations and unidentified actions.
