This article covers everything you need to know about log recording, which is crucial for businesses in terms of security monitoring, breach detection, regulatory compliance, and performance optimization.
The term log, translated from Turkish as "record" or "register," refers in the IT world to a log file that documents the actions performed by a system, application, software, or device. These logs are lines of data that detail the events occurring within a system. For businesses, logging is essential for security monitoring, breach detection, regulatory compliance, and performance tracking and optimization. If you're wondering what is a log or what does logging mean, continue reading to find out!
To define logging: It is the process of recording events and actions that occur within a system, software, or device in a specific format. Logging enables these events to be digitally recorded for later analysis. Now that we understand what a log record is, let’s explore its purpose. Logging is done to track historical events, detect and resolve errors, identify security breaches, analyze user behavior, and fulfill legal obligations. Take an e-commerce site, for example. If a user logs in, that action is logged. If a file is deleted during a workflow, it's logged. If there's an unauthorized access attempt, it’s logged too. In short, logging is vital for answering the question “what happened, and when?” in any system or software. When issues arise, logging enables root cause analysis.
Logging is typically performed using commands embedded in code or via system configurations. There are three main methods: software-based logging, system-level logging, and logging via dedicated management tools. For software-based logging, developers insert logging commands into the code to capture specific events. These are usually written to files like application.log. System-level logging refers to servers, operating systems, or network devices that generate their own logs automatically. For large environments, logs are managed centrally using tools such as ELK Stack, Graylog, Splunk, or Fluentd. These log management tools are essential for aggregating, analyzing, and visualizing log data.
When logging, make sure to use log levels such as INFO, WARNING, ERROR, DEBUG, and CRITICAL to indicate severity. Avoid log bloat by implementing log rotation mechanisms to manage file size. Never log sensitive data like passwords or credit card numbers. Every log entry should include a timestamp. In large systems, all logs should be collected centrally for streamlined analysis.
Log records are categorized based on the type of events they track. Each serves a unique purpose. Here are the most common types of logs:
Access logs record when and from where users access the system. These logs may include IP addresses, login/logout times, browser details, and accessed resources. They are widely used for user behavior analysis and security auditing on websites.
Error logs capture issues like database connection errors, missing files, or unauthorized access attempts. These logs are invaluable during development, debugging, and issue resolution processes.
Application logs detail operations performed within specific software applications. They help track workflows and identify faults. Examples include: “User created,” “Order placed,” “Transaction completed or canceled.”
System logs document events tied to the operating system, such as system errors, startup/shutdown messages, service status, hardware failures, updates, and disk usage warnings. These are essential for system administrators in monitoring and maintenance tasks.
Security logs track all security-related events, including successful or failed logins, access attempts, and policy violations. These logs enable security audits, breach detection, and forensic investigations.
Audit logs are especially useful for tracking user actions and permissions. They play a crucial role in compliance with regulations like KVKK, GDPR, and ISO 27001. These logs answer the “who did what and when” questions.
Network logs generated by routers, switches, or firewalls contain data about traffic sources and destinations, types of traffic, and transferred data volumes. They can highlight anomalies such as connection drops or unusual IP activity.
Database logs record operations such as INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE. They are vital for tracing query errors and answering questions like “who modified what and when.” Logging databases helps maintain data integrity and optimize performance.
Logging encompasses all system events, actions, and errors across servers, applications, firewalls, and user activities. Log records support both operational efficiency and cybersecurity. Here’s why logging matters for businesses:
Logging is not just a technical necessity—it’s a strategic investment for security, sustainability, and efficiency. Regular log collection, storage, and analysis offer a competitive edge. With GlassHouse, you gain access to all the professional on-premise infrastructure services you need for a healthy, efficient IT environment. Curious about the latest data center infrastructure trends? Check them out now!
Complete the form to get in touch with us! Let's build the infrastructure of success for your IT operations together.
