Mapped to NIST 800-171 Requirement: 3.3.9
CMMC Assessment Objective: AU.L2-3.3.9[a]
What This Objective Means
Access to audit logs must be restricted to authorized personnel only. This includes:
• Security analysts
• System administrators (in a limited, auditable capacity)
• Managed security providers (MSPs or MSSPs)
• Internal audit teams
The key is to ensure that access is limited, justified, and documented—and that other users, including general administrators, do not have broad or inappropriate access.
Why It Matters
Audit logs contain sensitive information that can reveal:
• System configurations
• User activity
• Security flaws or open vulnerabilities
If unauthorized users can view or manipulate logs, your audit trail becomes compromised, and you lose accountability and trust in your forensic data.
How to Implement It
• Maintain an access control matrix or privileged access list that includes:
◦ Users or groups authorized to view or manage audit logs
◦ Their associated roles (e.g., security officer, compliance manager)
• Define log access privileges in your:
◦ System Security Plan (SSP)
◦ Audit and Accountability Policy
◦ Role-based access control documentation
• Ensure responsibilities align with least privilege and separation of duties principles
Evidence the Assessor Will Look For
• Documentation listing individuals or roles with authorized access to audit logs
• Role definitions outlining why log access is required
• Policy or procedures enforcing log access restrictions
• Review records showing access lists are kept up to date
Common Gaps
• Audit log access is assigned too broadly (e.g., to all admins)
• No formal list of who is authorized to access logs
• Access privileges granted based on convenience, not business or security need
How Cuick Trac Helps
Cuick Trac supports this control by:
• Restricting audit log access to approved roles within the secure enclave
• Providing role-based access controls (RBAC) to define and enforce log access permissions
• Documenting who has access to logs and why
• Supporting reporting tools to demonstrate log access control to assessors
With Cuick Trac, audit log access is never accidental—it’s intentional, controlled, and fully auditable.
Final CTA
Your audit trail is only as trustworthy as your control over who sees it.
Schedule a Cuick Trac demo and define log access the right way—from policy to practice.