Audit Trail

An audit trail is a chronological record of events, actions, or changes in a system, used to track and verify activities for security, compliance, and debugging purposes. It typically includes details like timestamps, user identities, and descriptions of actions performed, ensuring accountability and transparency in software applications, databases, or IT infrastructure.

Also known as: Audit Log, Transaction Log, Event Log, Change Log, Activity Log

Why learn Audit Trail?

Developers should implement audit trails when building systems that require security monitoring, regulatory compliance (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA), or operational integrity, such as in financial software, healthcare applications, or enterprise systems. It helps in detecting unauthorized access, troubleshooting issues, and providing evidence for audits or legal investigations.

Learning Resources

• docs: NIST Guide to Audit Trails
• docs: OWASP Logging Cheat Sheet
• docs: Audit Trail Implementation in Databases
• video: YouTube: Audit Trails Explained
• course: Coursera: Cybersecurity Compliance and Audit