What this control covers
Documents audit policies per SP-01, restricting access to read-only, scheduling activities to avoid disruptions, and logging actions. Ensures controlled audits to verify security controls, protecting cloud customer data and service integrity.
Why it matters
Risk is the language an executive team understands; this control connects technical reality to board-level decisions and budget allocation.
How to implement
AWS
Codify the policy intent as SCPs, AWS Config conformance packs, and Security Hub standards so the cloud enforces what the document says.
Azure
Codify in Azure Policy initiatives (built-in regulatory compliance for CIS, ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA) and assign at management-group level.
GCP
Centralize via Cloud Logging log sinks at the org level to a locked log bucket with 7-year retention. Use SCC Premium for posture findings and Chronicle for SIEM correlation.
Google Workspace
Forward the Admin, Login, Drive, Token and Mobile audit logs to Cloud Logging (Workspace BigQuery export). Alert on impossible-travel logins, OAuth-scope grants for high-risk scopes, and external Drive sharing of sensitive labels.
GitHub
Stream the Enterprise audit log to your SIEM and enable Audit Log API alerting on key events: owner changes, IP allowlist edits, secret deletions, repo visibility flips.
On-premises
Maintain a policy library with a documented review cadence (annual minimum); store in your GRC tool with attestation tracking. Map each policy to controls so an audit pull cites the exact policy clause.
Evidence to collect
policy_document— A signed, version-controlled policy stating leadership intent and the named owner.
Signed policy or standard documents the safeguard. Focus: Policy for planning and conducting audits.
Quick checklist
- Risk — Cloud Customer Data / Management
- Security — Cloud Customer Data / Management
- Data — Cloud Customer Data / Management
- Policy — Cloud Customer Data / Management
- Access — Cloud Customer Data / Management
Related articles on this site
- Microsoft Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM)
- NIST 800-171 3.2.1 Ensure that managers, systems administrators, and users of organizational systems are made aware of the security risks associated with their activities and of the applicable policies, standards, and procedures related to
- NIST 800-171 3.3.8 Protect audit information and audit logging tools from unauthorized access, modification, and deletion.
- NIST 800-171 3.3.9 Limit management of audit logging functionality to a subset of privileged users.