# Ensure rsyslog Is Configured to Send Logs to a Remote Log Host

- Source: https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/articles/62000235536-ensure-rsyslog-is-configured-to-send-logs-to-a-remote-log-host
- Section: [Solutions](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions) › [CIS Amazon Linux 2 Benchmark v3.0.0](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/62000112696) › [CIS Amazon Linux 2 Benchmarks](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/folders/62000169265)
- Last updated: 2026-05-29
- Publisher: iCompaas, Inc. (https://www.icompaas.com)

Profile Applicability: • **Level 1**

Description:  
 Configuring rsyslog to forward logs to a remote log host centralizes log collection, enabling enhanced security monitoring, correlation, and incident response across multiple systems.

Rationale:  
 Centralized logging helps prevent tampering with local logs, improves log availability, and facilitates comprehensive analysis in security operations.

Impact:  
 Pros:

-   Enhanced log integrity and availability.  
    
-   Supports centralized security monitoring and compliance.  
    

Cons:

-   Network dependency may affect log transmission.  
    
-   Requires secure communication to prevent interception.  
    

Default Value:  
 By default, rsyslog may not be configured to send logs remotely.

Pre-requisites:

-   Root or sudo privileges to modify rsyslog configuration.
    
-   Access to a remote log host and network connectivity.  
    

Remediation:

### Test Plan:

Using Linux command line:

Check rsyslog configuration files for remote forwarding directives, such as \*.\* @@remote-host:

grep -i '@@' /etc/rsyslog.conf /etc/rsyslog.d/\*

1.  Verify the remote host address and protocol (TCP/UDP).  
    

### Implementation Plan:

Using Linux command line:

Edit /etc/rsyslog.conf or create a new file in /etc/rsyslog.d/ to add forwarding rules, for example:

\*.\* @@logs.example.com:514

-   Use @@ for TCP, @ for UDP.
    

Restart rsyslog to apply changes:

systemctl restart rsyslog

2.  Verify logs are being sent to the remote host.  
    

### Backout Plan:

Using Linux command line:

1.  Remove or comment out the remote forwarding configuration.  
    
2.  Restart rsyslog and verify local logging resumes.
    

References:

-   CIS Amazon Linux 2 Benchmark v3.0.0  
    
-   rsyslog Remote Logging  
    
-   Systemd Journal Remote

## Related compliance guidance

- [SOC 2 compliance: a practical implementation guide for cloud-native SaaS teams](https://support.icompaas.com/compliance/soc-2-trust-services-criteria): Configuration checks like this one are the technical half of a SOC 2 / ISO 27001 programme — the guide shows where they fit, what else an auditor expects, and how to evidence them.
- [ISO/IEC 27001:2022 compliance: a practical implementation guide](https://support.icompaas.com/compliance/iso-27001-2022): ISO 27001 Annex A.8 (technological controls) is where cloud hardening evidence lands; the guide shows how to run the ISMS around it.