How do audit logs work in Microsoft 365?
Audit logs in Microsoft 365 record and track activities in your organization’s cloud environment. They include user logins, file access, document changes, administrative actions, and security events. Administrators can search, filter, and analyze logs to detect unusual behavior, support compliance, and conduct security audits.
Background and overview
Audit logs are central to security and compliance. Microsoft 365 offers comprehensive activity logging, providing visibility into how users and administrators interact with systems and data.
Activity logging
Microsoft 365 logs events such as logins, file changes, shares, email activity, and administrative actions, providing a complete picture of user behavior.
Search and filtering
Administrators can filter logs by user, date, event type and service to quickly find relevant information.
Analysis and reporting
Logs can be analyzed to detect unusual or suspicious activities and generate reports for audit and security review.
Integration with security services
Audit logs can be integrated with Microsoft Purview, Sentinel and other security tools for centralized monitoring and alarm management.
Compliance and legal evidence
Logs support compliance with standards and laws, such as the GDPR and ISO, and can be used as documentation for audits or legal requirements.
Long-term storage
Microsoft 365 offers the ability to retain logs for longer periods, which is important for historical analysis and compliance.
Alerting and notifications
Administrators can set alerts for unusual activities, enabling a quick response to security incidents.
Key features for audit logs
- Activity logging: records user and administrator events.
- Search and filtering: Quick access to relevant information.
- Analysis and reporting: Identifies anomalies and supports audit.
- Integration: Connection to security solutions such as Sentinel and Purview.
- Compliance: Supports legal requirements and standards like GDPR.
- Alerts: Sends alerts for unusual or suspicious activities.
Related questions
What is logged in Microsoft 365 audit logs?
Logins, file changes, shares, email activity and administrative actions are continuously logged.
How to search audit logs?
Administrators can filter by user, date, event type and service to find specific activity.
Can audit logs be integrated with security tools?
Yes, logs can be linked to Microsoft Sentinel, Purview and other monitoring systems for alerts and analysis.
How are audit logs used in compliance?
They are used to document activities, support audits and meet legal requirements such as GDPR.
Can you receive notifications from audit logs?
Yes, administrators can configure alerting to receive alerts for unusual or suspicious activities.
