Active Directory Security Logs

10 immutable laws of security administration.

Active directory security logs.

This post focuses on domain controller security with some cross over into active directory security. It is free and included in the administrative tools package of every microsoft windows system. For instance event viewer provides information on the programs that don t start as expected automatically downloaded updates unexpected shut downs and more. A solid event log monitoring system is a crucial part of any secure active directory design.

Active directory security effectively begins with ensuring domain controllers dcs are configured securely. Organizations majorly favor native active directory audit methods provided by event viewer a large pool where events are stored in an unorganized manner. The following steps detail how to enable logging on windows server 2008 active directory services. Event viewer is the native solution for reviewing security logs.

Auditing active directory is necessary from both a security point of view and for meeting compliance requirements. The following are some of the events related to group membership changes. Under event logs select security. Viewing active directory security logs using adaudit plus.

The registry entries that manage diagnostic logging for active directory are stored in the following registry subkeys. To track the changes in active directory open windows event viewer go to windows logs security use the filter current log in the right pane to find relevant events. Eternal vigilance is the price of security. Event id 4727 indicates a security group is created.

The best way is to collect all the logs on a centralized server then use log analyzing software to generate reports. At blackhat usa this past summer i spoke about ad for the security professional and provided tips on how to best secure active directory. Here are some of the most popular log analyzers. Active directory diagnostic event logging.

To configure you will need access to configure the default domain controller policy and access to the event logs on a domain controller. The security event log registers the following information. Adaudit plus lets you view ad event logs in the form of neat categorized reports. Many computer security compromises could be discovered early in the event if the victims enacted appropriate event log monitoring and alerting.

Active directory event logging tool event viewer is a console where you can view all significant activity happening on your windows device. Some log analyzers come pre built with active directory security reports and others you will need to build them your self. How do you monitor events in active directory.