How to Enable File Auditing in Windows Server 2012?

Do you want to ensure the integrity of your data stored on Windows Server 2012? File auditing is an effective way to monitor and track user activity on your server. It can be used to track who changed a file, when it was changed, and also what was changed. In this guide, you’ll learn how to enable file auditing in Windows Server 2012 and maximize the security of your data.

Enabling File Auditing in Windows Server 2012

Windows Server 2012 is one of the most important server operating systems available today. It is used in both large and small businesses to provide a secure platform for data storage, communication, and applications. Audit logging is a critical part of any security protocol, and Windows Server 2012 provides a secure and reliable way to audit file access, changes, and deletions. This article will discuss how to enable file auditing in Windows Server 2012 and the benefits of doing so.

Auditing file access involves tracking changes to files, folders, and other objects. It is a critical part of any security protocol and provides the ability to identify unauthorized access and changes to sensitive data. It also allows administrators to track user activity and ensure compliance with corporate policies and industry regulations. Windows Server 2012 provides an easy way to enable auditing of file access.

Steps to Enable File Auditing in Windows Server 2012

The first step to enable file auditing in Windows Server 2012 is to open the Server Manager. This can be done by clicking the Server Manager icon in the taskbar or by pressing the Windows key and typing “Server Manager” in the search box. Once the Server Manager is open, select the “Advanced Audit Policy Configuration” option.

The next step is to select the “Audit Policies” tab and then select the “Object Access” option. This will open a list of policies that can be enabled. To enable auditing of file access, select the “Audit File System” option. This will enable auditing of all file system activity on the server.

Configuring Auditing of Specific Files and Folders

The next step is to configure auditing of specific files and folders. This can be done by right-clicking on the file or folder and selecting the “Properties” option. On the Properties page, select the “Security” tab and click the “Advanced” button. This will open the Advanced Security Settings page. On this page, select the “Auditing” tab and then select the “Add” button.

This will open the Auditing Entry for dialog box. Here, the user can select which events to audit for the file or folder. These events include Create, Read, Write, Delete, and Change permissions. Once the events have been selected, click the “OK” button to save the settings.

Viewing the Audit Logs

The final step is to view the audit logs. This can be done by opening the Event Viewer. This can be done by clicking the “Start” button, typing “Event Viewer” in the search box, and pressing the “Enter” key. Once the Event Viewer is open, select the “Windows Logs” folder and then select the “Security” log. This will open the security log which contains all of the audit logs for the server.

Benefits of File Auditing

File auditing provides a number of benefits to organizations. It allows them to track user activity and ensure compliance with corporate policies and industry regulations. It also helps to detect unauthorized access and changes to sensitive data. Additionally, it can be used to identify potential security vulnerabilities and to monitor file system activity for suspicious behavior.

Conclusion

Enabling file auditing in Windows Server 2012 is a simple process that provides organizations with a secure and reliable way to audit file access, changes, and deletions. It is a critical part of any security protocol and provides the ability to identify unauthorized access and changes to sensitive data. It also allows administrators to track user activity and ensure compliance with corporate policies and industry regulations.

Few Frequently Asked Questions

What is File Auditing?

File auditing is a process that tracks and monitors user activity on a computer system, such as a server. It allows administrators to keep track of which users have accessed which files, when they accessed them, and what actions they performed. This is useful for security purposes, as it can help identify suspicious activity and potential breaches. It can also be used to audit user compliance with policies and procedures, as well as to detect potential misuse of resources.

Why Should File Auditing be Enabled?

File auditing should be enabled in order to help protect the security of a system. It is an important tool for monitoring user activity and can help identify suspicious behavior. It can also be used to ensure compliance with policies, procedures, and regulations. Additionally, it can help detect potential misuse of resources or unauthorized access to sensitive data.

How to Enable File Auditing in Windows Server 2012?

In order to enable file auditing in Windows Server 2012, first open the Local Security Policy console by clicking on the Start button and typing “secpol.msc” in the search box. Once the console is open, navigate to Security Settings -> Local Policies -> Audit Policy and select the “Audit Object Access” policy. Next, double click on the policy and select the “Success” and “Failure” checkboxes. Finally, click the “Apply” button and then the “OK” button to save the changes.

What are the Benefits of Enabling File Auditing?

The benefits of enabling file auditing include improved security and compliance, better resource tracking, and improved accountability. Enabling file auditing allows administrators to track and monitor user activity on a system, which can help identify suspicious behavior or potential breaches. It also helps to ensure that users are adhering to policies and procedures, as well as detecting any potential misuse of resources.

What are the Drawbacks of Enabling File Auditing?

The main drawback of enabling file auditing is that it can lead to a significant increase in resource utilization. As the system tracks user activity, it can generate a large amount of data which can have a negative effect on system performance. Additionally, it can lead to a decrease in user productivity as they are no longer able to freely access files without being monitored.

What are the Best Practices for Using File Auditing?

The best practices for using file auditing include ensuring that the system is properly configured, regularly reviewing audit logs, and ensuring that only authorized users have access to sensitive data. Additionally, it is important to ensure that auditing is limited to only those areas that are necessary and that the data is securely stored. It is also important to ensure that the audit logs are regularly reviewed for suspicious activity and that any potential breaches are addressed quickly.

Enable File and Folder Access Auditing in Windows Server 2019

In conclusion, implementing file auditing in Windows Server 2012 is a great way to improve the overall security of your system. It helps you to monitor and track all changes made to important files and folders, and gives you the power to react quickly to potential threats and attacks. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily enable file auditing in Windows Server 2012 and start taking control of your system and data.