What role do audit logs play in continuous monitoring?

Audit logs serve a crucial role in continuous monitoring by systematically recording user activities and system processes. This comprehensive logging captures various actions, such as logins, data access, changes made to the system, and other significant events.

The primary purpose of audit logs is to provide a reliable trail of what has occurred within a system, allowing security professionals to review and analyze behavior over time. These logs enable the identification of unusual patterns or unauthorized activities, thereby enhancing the overall security posture by monitoring for potential threats or breaches. Continuous monitoring relies on these insights to maintain situational awareness and ensure compliance with security policies and regulations.

The other options do not accurately reflect the importance of audit logs. They are essential for security reviews rather than optional, as they provide critical evidence for investigations when security incidents occur. While they can assist with administrative functions, their primary purpose is rooted in security and accountability. Lastly, audit logs should not be deleted after a short timeframe like one month; instead, many regulations require that they be retained for longer periods for compliance and forensic analysis.