Key Takeaways (TL;DR)
- Collect, protect, and review logs to detect misuse of CUI.
- Automated alerts + regular human review provide layered assurance.
- Proper retention and integrity checks simplify investigations and audits.
Why Audit & Accountability Matter
NIST SP 800‑171's Audit & Accountability (AU) controls (3.3.1 – 3.3.9) require organizations to generate, protect, and analyze audit records that allow tracing actions to individuals—critical for incident response and compliance evidence.
Core AU Controls at a Glance
| Control | Requirement | Implementation Tip |
|---|---|---|
| 3.3.1 | Generate audit logs | Centralize via syslog/SIEM |
| 3.3.2 | Capture privileged actions | Enable Linux auditd, Windows Advanced Audit Policy |
| 3.3.3 | Time‑stamp logs | NTP‑synced servers |
| 3.3.4 | Review & analyze | Daily dashboards + weekly analyst review |
| 3.3.5 | Alert on events | Correlate with MITRE ATT&CK rules |
| 3.3.6 | Protect log integrity | WORM storage or object‑lock |
| 3.3.7 | Retain logs | 90‑days hot, 1‑year cold storage |
| 3.3.8 | Correlate events | UEBA for insider threat |
| 3.3.9 | Provide records to auditors | Pre‑built compliance reports |
Best Practices
- Tag CUI‑related systems in the SIEM for focused monitoring.
- Encrypt log transport (TLS).
- Use role‑based access to restrict log tampering.
- Automate retention using object‑lock buckets.
Total Assure's Difference
Our managed SIEM & SOC service handles log onboarding, correlation, 24/7 alerting, and audit‑ready reporting. Get peace of mind and compliance confidence—contact us.
