Native Integrations

File server monitoring with Log360

Overview

ManageEngine Log360 offers robust monitoring for file servers by collecting, parsing, storing, analyzing, correlating, and archiving critical Windows event logs related to file access and system activity. This comprehensive approach provides unparalleled visibility into data access patterns, potential security breaches, and operational efficiency. By tracking file and folder access, modifications, deletions, and sharing activities, Log360 empowers administrators with effective log management, threat detection, investigation, and response capabilities for their critical data assets.

How Log360 collects and analyzes file server logs

Log360 simplifies file server log management through flexible collection methods and intelligent processing:

Collection methods:

Agent-based: Utilizes native WMI, Windows Event APIs, or syslog forwarding mechanisms for fetching logs across numerous file servers.
Agentless: Utilizes remote APIs for collecting logs directly from the file server.
Monitoring capabilities: Log360 collects and analyzes Windows event logs from various channels on file servers, including:
Security logs: Focusing on detailed audit events for file and object access, privilege use, and policy changes.
System logs: For tracking service operations related to file sharing, system startups/shutdowns, and hardware changes impacting storage.
Application logs: To capture errors, warnings, and informational events from applications interacting with files.

Critical file server events monitored

Log360 meticulously tracks essential file server events, including:

Successful and failed file/folder access attempts.
Creation, modification, and deletion of files and folders.
Changes to file and folder permissions (ACLs).
Sharing of files and folders.
Attempts to move or copy files.
Removable media usage.
Process execution related to file operations.
Service installations or registry modifications on the file server.

Key benefits

Centralized visibility: Monitor all file servers from a single console, providing a holistic view of data access activities without needing to check individual server logs.
Real-time data security: Identify security incidents as they occur with pre-built correlation rules and anomaly detection specifically tailored for file access patterns.
Streamlined investigation: Quickly trace access paths, identify who accessed what, when, and from where, with context-enriched data for rapid incident response.
Data access analytics: Leverage advanced analytics to identify unusual access patterns, excessive deletions, or unauthorized data transfers, uncovering potential threats.
Compliance and auditing: Simplify regulatory compliance by providing detailed audit trails of file access, essential for frameworks like the PCI DSS, HIPAA, SOX, and the GDPR.

Address key file server security challenges

Challenges	Solution offered by Log360
Auditing data access	Maintain complete audit trails of all file and folder access events, including modifications, deletions, and permission changes, for accountability and forensic analysis.
User activity monitoring on files	Track individual user actions on files and folders, identifying suspicious patterns such as after-hours access and bulk downloads.
Preventing data tampering/loss	Detect unauthorized modifications, deletions, or exfiltration attempts of sensitive data through real-time alerts and anomaly detection.
Advanced threat detection	Identify malware activity, ransomware indicators (e.g., rapid file encryption), and unauthorized data access attempts through correlation rules and behavior analytics.
Compliance auditing and reporting	Simplify regulatory compliance with out-of-the-box reports on file access mapped to specific controls in various industry frameworks.

Gain complete visibility into all your file server activities from a single, unified console with ManageEngine Log360.

Explore file server auditing and monitoring capabilities and use cases to learn more.

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Interested in knowing how to fortify your file servers with Log360's advanced monitoring?

Centralize file access logs, accelerate threat detection, and streamline compliance for your critical data with our robust file server monitoring solution.

Explore ManageEngine Log360