How to Enable Unified Audit Log in M365

October 2, 2024

Introduction

Imagine this: You’re a small business owner in Australia, running a thriving company in the retail sector. One day, you receive an alert that there has been suspicious activity on your Microsoft 365 (M365) account. Panic sets in as you realize the potential risks to your business data. This scenario underscores the importance of having robust security measures in place, such as enabling the Unified Audit Log in M365.

At Technowand, we understand the critical role that security plays in protecting your business. We specialize in IT support services, ensuring that our clients’ M365 environments are secure and compliant. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the steps to enable the Unified Audit Log in M365, explain why it’s essential, and provide insights into how it can benefit your business.

Why Enabling Unified Audit Log in M365 is Important

1. Enhanced Security Monitoring
   • The Unified Audit Log captures user and admin activities across various M365 services, providing a comprehensive view of actions taken within your environment. This helps in identifying and mitigating potential security threats.
2. Compliance and Legal Requirements
   • Many industries have strict compliance regulations that require detailed logging of user activities. Enabling the Unified Audit Log ensures that your business meets these legal requirements, avoiding potential fines and legal issues.
3. Incident Response and Forensics
   • In the event of a security breach, having detailed logs is crucial for conducting thorough investigations. The Unified Audit Log provides the necessary data to understand the scope of the breach and take appropriate actions.
4. Operational Insights
   • Beyond security, the audit logs offer valuable insights into user behavior and system performance. This information can be used to optimize operations and improve overall efficiency.
5. Proactive Threat Detection
   • By regularly reviewing audit logs, businesses can detect unusual activities early and take preventive measures before they escalate into significant issues.

Steps to Enable Unified Audit Log in M365

Step 1: Access the Compliance Center

1. Log in to your M365 admin account.
2. Navigate to the Compliance Center at compliance.microsoft.com.

Step 2: Enable Audit Logging

1. In the Compliance Center, select Audit under the Solutions section.
2. Look for a blue banner that says Start recording user and admin activity.
3. Click on the banner to enable the Unified Audit Log.

Step 3: Verify Audit Log Activation

1. To ensure that the audit log is active, you can run a query based on users and activities.
2. Navigate to the Audit section and use the search functionality to verify that events are being recorded.

Step 4: Configure Audit Log Settings

1. Customize the audit log settings to meet your business needs.
2. Set retention policies and specify the types of activities to be logged.

Step 5: Regularly Review Audit Logs

1. Schedule regular reviews of the audit logs to monitor for any unusual activities.
2. Use the insights gained from the logs to improve your security posture.

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Interesting Stats and Data

• According to a recent study, businesses that actively monitor their audit logs are 50% more likely to detect security breaches early¹.
• The average cost of a data breach for small businesses in Australia is approximately AUD 2.13 million².
• Enabling audit logs can reduce the time to identify and contain a breach by up to 27%³.

Conclusion

At Technowand, we do this and many more on our customers’ M365 tenancy to keep bad guys away. Our proactive approach ensures that your business remains secure and compliant, giving you peace of mind.

Are you ready to enhance your M365 security? Contact Technowand today to learn more about our IT support services and how we can help protect your business. With numerous 5-star Google reviews, our clients trust us to deliver exceptional service and support.