Overview
ManageEngine Log360 provides comprehensive collection, parsing, correlation, and analysis of PostgreSQL database logs. By leveraging detailed logs of all server activity, statements, and errors, Log360 enables real-time threat detection, database performance optimization, and continuous compliance monitoring for your entire PostgreSQL environment.
How Log360 collects and analyzes PostgreSQL logs
Log360 offers flexible methods to collect PostgreSQL logs, integrating seamlessly with your database infrastructure:
Collection methods:
- Direct log file access: Log360 can securely pull logs by directly accessing PostgreSQL's log files (e.g., postgresql.log) on the remote database server after being provided with the appropriate credentials.
- Syslog forwarding: A common and robust method, PostgreSQL can be configured to send its log output to a central syslog server. Log360 acts as this syslog server, collecting all log data in real time.
- Agent-based collection: For complex network topologies or when enhanced security is preferred, a lightweight Log360 agent installed on the database server can securely collect and forward log data to the central server.
Log360's intelligent parsing engine automatically identifies the PostgreSQL log format (log_line_prefix) and structures the data. This converts standard log entries into enriched, easy-to-understand reports and dashboards, enabling powerful analysis for both security teams and database administrators.
Monitoring capabilities
Log360 collects and analyzes various types of data from PostgreSQL's logging engine:
- Error logs: Captures detailed error messages, server startup/shutdown events, fatal errors, and warnings.
- Slow query logs: Records all SQL statements that exceed a specified execution time (log_min_duration_statement), crucial for performance tuning.
- Audit & statement logs: When configured (log_statement = 'all'), provides a complete record of all executed SQL statements, user connections, disconnections, and authentication attempts.
Critical PostgreSQL events monitored
Log360 tracks essential database security and operational events, including:
- Database authentication failures and successful connections from unusual locations
- Execution of DDL statements (CREATE, ALTER, DROP), indicating schema changes
- Monitoring of privileged user activities and all actions performed by superusers
- Identification of slow-running queries impacting application performance
- Errors related to database replication and connection issues
- Permission denied errors on critical tables and functions
- Mass data retrieval or modification activities
Key benefits
- Centralized database visibility: Monitor all your PostgreSQL instances from a single console, providing a complete overview of database health, security, and performance.
- Real-time threat detection: Instantly identify potential SQL injection attempts, brute-force login attacks, and unauthorized data access patterns.
- Database performance optimization: Proactively identify and analyze slow-running queries and database errors that degrade application performance, helping DBAs to optimize efficiency.
- Compliance & forensic analytics: Leverage a complete audit trail of all database activity to meet compliance mandates (GDPR, PCI DSS) and accelerate forensic investigations.
Address key PostgreSQL security challenges with Log360
The following table details common challenges and the solutions offered by Log360:
| Challenges |
Solution offered by Log360 |
| Unauthorized data & schema changes |
Provides a real-time audit trail of all DDL statements (CREATE, ALTER, DROP) and alerts on unauthorized access or modifications to sensitive data tables. |
| Poor database performance |
Pinpoints the exact SQL statements slowing down your applications by analyzing slow query logs. Helps DBAs focus their optimization efforts effectively. |
| Detecting brute-force attacks |
Monitors and correlates failed login attempts, alerting administrators to potential brute-force attacks against database user accounts before a breach occurs. |
| Privileged user monitoring |
Tracks all activities performed by superusers and other privileged accounts, ensuring a clear audit trail to prevent privilege abuse and detect insider threats. |
| Meeting compliance requirements |
Simplifies compliance with regulations like GDPR and PCI DSS by providing out-of-the-box reports on who accessed, modified, or deleted what data, and when. |
