The National Security Agency (NSA) has released its latest best practices for event logging and threat detection in 2024, targeting cloud services, enterprise networks, mobile devices, and operational technology (OT) networks. In collaboration with international bodies like Australia’s Cyber Security Centre, these guidelines offer crucial insights for enhancing organizational resilience against ever-evolving cyber threats.
Securing Tomorrow, Defending Today.
Is your organization’s logging policy leaving critical gaps for cyber threats to exploit? Learn how to plug them with the NSA’s latest recommendations.
Why Your Event Logging Strategy is Vital
Effective event logging is your organization’s first line of defense against cyber attacks. By ensuring that crucial system activities are captured, monitored, and stored securely, you can detect potential threats and abnormal behaviors before they become full-blown incidents.
Without a solid event logging policy, even the most advanced threat detection solutions may struggle to identify and mitigate attacks. The NSA has shared four main best practices that companies must adopt to enhance their threat detection capabilities. Here’s what you need to know.
Steps to Protect Yourself from Data Breaches
Develop an Enterprise-Approved Event Logging Policy
A well-crafted logging policy can significantly enhance the detection of malicious activities across your infrastructure. It provides clear guidelines on what to log, how long to retain logs, and ensures uniform practices across different environments.
Operational Technology Considerations: OT devices often have limited logging capabilities, so use supplementary sensors to enhance event monitoring.
Capture Key Event Details: Logs should include timestamps, event types, device IDs, IP addresses, and executed commands.
Retain Logs Long Enough: Threat actors often dwell in systems for months. Retaining logs for sufficient periods helps during incident investigations.
Centralize Event Log Access and Correlation
Centralizing your logs simplifies correlation, making it easier to spot anomalies and potential threats. The NSA suggests using a secure data lake to gather logs and forward them to analytic tools like SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) or XDR (Extended Detection and Response) solutions.
Centralized Monitoring: Use categories like ‘hot’ (quick access) and ‘cold’ (archived) storage to maintain efficiency.
Prioritize Logging Sources: Critical assets, network devices, cloud systems, and OT should be prioritized based on risk.
Regular Review: Periodically reassess which logs are being captured and adjust as needed to stay relevant with new threats.
Ensure Secure Storage and Event Log Integrity
Logs are only valuable if they remain uncompromised. Protecting them from unauthorized access, modification, or deletion is essential.
Access Control: Limit log access to authorized personnel only and maintain a record of access attempts.
Encrypt Logs: Use Transport Layer Security (TLS) and cryptographic techniques to secure logs during transit and storage.
SIEM Isolation: Harden your SIEM environment by isolating it from general IT operations to prevent attackers from tampering with collected data.
Implement a Detection Strategy for Relevant Threats
To effectively detect living-off-the-land (LOTL) tactics, employ strategies like User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA) and use SIEM to spot deviations from normal activity.
Behavioral Analytics: UEBA solutions help identify abnormal activity that could signal a LOTL attack. This involves analyzing login patterns, new connections, and unusual file access.
Anomalous Behavior Detection: Keep an eye out for activities like new connections between unfamiliar devices or unexpected account behavior. These can be early warning signs of intrusions.
Endpoint Detection and Threat Hunting: EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) tools combined with proactive threat hunting can further bolster detection of LOTL techniques.
How Can Fusion Cyber Group Help?
Navigating the complexities of event logging and threat detection isn’t easy, especially when facing sophisticated attacks. At Fusion Cyber Group, we are equipped with advanced tools like SIEM and XDR to enhance your logging capabilities and threat detection measures. Our 24/7/365 monitoring and response services are specifically designed to meet the latest NSA best practices, ensuring your organization stays one step ahead of potential attackers.
Don’t Let Gaps in Event Logging Put Your Business at Risk
Proactive event logging and threat detection can mean the difference between stopping an attack early and suffering severe data breaches. Contact Fusion Cyber Group today to ensure your logging strategy meets the highest industry standards and helps you stay resilient in the face of modern cyber threats.
