What is the purpose of logging in cybersecurity?

The primary purpose of logging in cybersecurity is to record and analyze system events for security monitoring and incident response. When logging is implemented effectively, it captures detailed information about system activities, user actions, software behaviors, and network traffic. This data becomes invaluable for identifying potential security threats, investigating incidents, and understanding the context of security events.

By maintaining comprehensive logs, organizations can monitor for unusual activity that could indicate a security breach or attempted attack. Furthermore, during an incident response process, logs provide forensic evidence that helps analysts understand what has occurred, determine the impact, and develop remediations or recommendations to prevent future incidents.

This capability is crucial in a proactive security posture, allowing organizations to detect and respond promptly to threats, thereby minimizing damage and maintaining operational integrity. The other options relate to aspects of cybersecurity but do not accurately capture the essential role that logging plays in the overall security framework.