SQL Server Audit Log Tool for Database Security

A SQL server audit log is a file created during an audit of Microsoft SQL Server that lists the
results. Running audits of SQL servers is essential to identifying SQL server security issues and potential breaches
on the server. Auditing SQL is also a requirement to be in compliance with regulations like PCI DSS, HIPAA, and GDPR. To demonstrate compliance,
organizations may be legally required to audit SQL server access records, report suspicious or malicious activity,
or track login attempts, security changes, and other potential attack vectors. 

The function of a SQL server audit is to combine different elements into a single record in reference to a specific set of server or database actions. During an audit, the object being audited collects a single instance of actions across the server or database to monitor. Determining the components to monitor during the audit is called “defining” the audit. By setting SQL Server audit specifications at the server and the database level, SQL server audits can help provide insights into relevant database or server activity.

When managing an audit in SQL server, it is important to create an audit specification object, which defines the
events in the server and database that will be logged in the audit report. When defining which object
will be undergoing the audit, you will also define a target where the SQL audit log files will be written, which can
be a file, the Windows Security
event log, or the Windows
Application event log.

SQL server audit tools can read database transaction logs and audits to provide information about data and object changes that affect the database. Information about the user, application, or user that created each change on the server or database can be recorded, providing an added layer of security and accountability when looking to maintain best practices to keep a network free from malicious forces. SQL audit tools should include in-depth search capabilities, allowing network administrators to better understand the events taking place across the network in real time. Collecting and archiving SQL audit logs can also create a historical record to support forensic analysis and troubleshooting.

In addition to being required for certain regulatory compliance standards, SQL audit logs are important because
they provide information that can be used to assess the security of SQL servers and databases. By using a central log management
system to collect
and normalize log data alongside SQL server audit logs, organizations can help improve their overall security
monitoring strategy with comprehensive SQL server security insights.

The SQL server audit tools in Security Event Manager work to simplify cybersecurity and compliance by
integrating a variety of monitoring processes into easy-to-use and understandable dashboards. SEM includes live
filtering and historical search capabilities for log data, which allow you to see what’s happening across
the network while also gaining insights from past activity when performing forensic analysis, troubleshooting,
and investigating security
breaches or other suspected threats. 

Use SEM to monitor local or remote SQL server databases for successful or failed attempts to access database
tables, schemas, as well as configuration changes that may indicate security threats. SolarWinds SEM also
includes hundreds of built-in correlation rule templates, making it easy to analyze log data along common
metrics. In addition to being able to customize using existing templates, you can create new rules for analyzing
SQL server logs to audit activity. 

The threat intelligence
feed in
SEM features a continually updated list of known bad actors to compare against when auditing the security of
your SQL servers and databases, with the ability to automatically tag suspicious activity. Security Event
Manager also allows you to monitor server and database users to help improve and enforce security best practices
in your organization.

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