Top 5 reasons Sys Admins hate logs

Top 5 Reasons Sys Admins hate logs:

1) Logs multiply – the volume problem

A single server easily generates 0.25M logs every day, even when operating normally. How many servers do you have? Plus you have workstations, applications and not to mention network devices.

2) Log obscurity – what does it mean?

Jan 2 19:03:22  r37s9p2 oesaudit: type=SYSCALL msg=audit(01/02/13 19:03:22.683:318) : arch=i386 syscall=open success=yes exit=3 a0=80e3f08 a1=18800

Do what now? Go where? ‘Nuff said.

3) Real hackers don’t get logged

If your purpose of logging is, for example, to review logs to “identify and proactively address unauthorized access to cardholder data” for PCI-DSS, how do you know what you don’t know?

4) How can I tell you logged in? Let me count the ways

This is a simple question with a complex answer. It depends on where you logged in. Linux? Solaris? Cisco? Windows 2003? Windows 2008? Application? VMware? Amazon EC2?

5) Compliance forced down your throat, but no specific guidance

Have you ever been in the rainforest with no map, creepy crawlies everywhere, low on supplies and a day’s trek to the nearest settlement? That’s how IT guys feel when management drops a 100+ page compliance standard on their desk.

EventTracker SIEM Trial

EventTracker SIEM Trial

Experience the difference of a platform built to deliver vital and actionable data.

Try it for Free