# CIS 8.1 — Establish and Maintain an Audit Log Management Process

- Source: https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/articles/a_gen_cis_81_16a306932f-cis-81-establish-and-maintain-an-audit-log-management-process
- Section: [Solutions](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions) › [AWS Checks New Version](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/62000112673) › [Protect](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/folders/f_gen_62000112673_protect)
- Last updated: 2026-05-30
- Publisher: iCompaas, Inc. (https://www.icompaas.com)

CIS · Control 8.1 · Priority: critical · Component: Protect

### What this control covers

Establish and maintain an audit log management process that defines the enterprise's logging requirements. At a minimum, address the collection, review, and retention of audit logs for enterprise assets. Review and update documentation annually, or when significant enterprise changes occur that could impact this Safeguard.

### 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: Establish and Maintain an Audit Log Management Process.

### Quick checklist

-   Establish And Maintain — Audit Log Management Process / Logs
-   Address — Audit Log Management Process / Logs
-   Log — Audit Log Management Process / Logs
-   Protect — Audit Log Management Process / Logs

### Related articles on this site

-   [NIST 800-171 3.3.1 Create and retain system audit logs and records to the extent needed to enable the monitoring, analysis, investigation, and reporting of unlawful or unauthorized system activity](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/articles/62000229271-nist-800-171-3-3-1-create-and-retain-system-audit-logs-and-records-to-the-extent-needed-to-enable-the)
-   [NIST 800-171 3.3.4 Alert in the event of an audit logging process failure.](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/articles/62000229274-nist-800-171-3-3-4-alert-in-the-event-of-an-audit-logging-process-failure-)
-   [NIST 800-171 3.3.9 Limit management of audit logging functionality to a subset of privileged users.](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/articles/62000229279-nist-800-171-3-3-9-limit-management-of-audit-logging-functionality-to-a-subset-of-privileged-users-)
-   [NIST 800-171 3.10.4 Maintain audit logs of physical access.](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/articles/62000229324-nist-800-171-3-10-4-maintain-audit-logs-of-physical-access-)

## 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.