Critical Logs to Monitor: A Guide for SOC Analysts

Security Operations Center (SOC) analysts play a crucial role in defending organizations against cyber threats. One of the most critical responsibilities of a SOC analyst is log monitoring. Logs provide valuable insights into network activity, system behavior, and potential security incidents. But with massive volumes of logs generated every day, how do you know which ones to prioritize?

In this guide, we will break down the most critical logs every SOC analyst should monitor, explain why they matter, and how to detect malicious activity within them.

Understanding the Importance of Log Monitoring

Before diving into specific logs, let’s address why log monitoring is so important. Logs are the digital footprints of everything happening within your network and systems. They help SOC analysts:

• Detect suspicious activity before it escalates into a full-blown attack
• Investigate incidents and conduct forensic analysis
• Ensure compliance with security regulations (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS)
• Identify system misconfigurations and performance issues

However, monitoring logs without a strategy can be overwhelming. That’s why SOC analysts must focus on the most…