Configure Windows security logs for threat detection and incident investigation. Covers detailed audit policies, process command line recording, log storage sizing, and centralized forwarding so monitoring systems receive useful authentication and activity records.
Configures Windows Event Logging with advanced audit policies to generate high-fidelity security events for threat detection and forensic investigation. Use when enabling audit policies for logon events, process creation, privilege use, and object access to feed SIEM detection rules. Activates for requests involving Windows audit policy, event log configuration, security logging, or detection-oriented logging.
Review the instructions the agent will receive before you install.
Use this skill when:
Do not use for Sysmon configuration (separate skill) or Linux audit logging.
Computer Configuration → Windows Settings → Security Settings
→ Advanced Audit Policy Configuration → Audit Policies
Recommended settings:
Account Logon:
- Audit Credential Validation: Success, Failure
- Audit Kerberos Authentication: Success, Failure
Account Management:
- Audit Security Group Management: Success
- Audit User Account Management: Success, Failure
Logon/Logoff:
- Audit Logon: Success, Failure
- Audit Logoff: Success
- Audit Special Logon: Success
- Audit Other Logon/Logoff Events: Success, Failure
Object Access:
- Audit File Share: Success, Failure
- Audit Removable Storage: Success, Failure
- Audit SAM: Success
Policy Change:
- Audit Audit Policy Change: Success, Failure
- Audit Authentication Policy Change: Success
Privilege Use:
- Audit Sensitive Privilege Use: Success, Failure
Detailed Tracking:
- Audit Process Creation: Success
- Audit DPAPI Activity: Success, Failure
# Registry: Enable command line logging in Event 4688
New-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\Audit" `
-Name ProcessCreationIncludeCmdLine_Enabled -Value 1 -PropertyType DWORD -Force
# GPO: Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → System → Audit Process Creation
# "Include command line in process creation events" → Enabled
# Increase Security log to 1 GB (default 20 MB is insufficient)
wevtutil sl Security /ms:1073741824
# Increase PowerShell Operational log
wevtutil sl "Microsoft-Windows-PowerShell/Operational" /ms:536870912
# Set log retention to overwrite as needed
wevtutil sl Security /rt:false
# Configure via GPO:
# Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components
# → Event Log Service → Security
# Maximum log file size (KB): 1048576
# On collector server:
wecutil qc /q
# Create subscription for high-value events:
# Event IDs: 4624 (logon), 4625 (failed logon), 4688 (process create),
# 4672 (special privilege), 4720 (user created), 4728 (group membership),
# 7045 (service installed), 1102 (log cleared)
# On source endpoints (GPO):
# Configure WinRM: winrm quickconfig
# Configure event forwarding: Computer Configuration → Admin Templates
# → Windows Components → Event Forwarding
# Configure target Subscription Manager: Server=http://collector:5985/wsman/SubscriptionManager/WEC
Authentication Events:
4624 - Successful logon (Type 2=Interactive, 3=Network, 10=RemoteInteractive)
4625 - Failed logon attempt
4648 - Logon using explicit credentials (RunAs, pass-the-hash indicator)
4672 - Special privileges assigned (admin logon)
4776 - NTLM credential validation
Process Events:
4688 - Process creation (with command line if enabled)
4689 - Process termination
Account Events:
4720 - User account created
4722 - User account enabled
4724 - Password reset attempted
4728 - Member added to security group
4732 - Member added to local group
4756 - Member added to universal group
Service/System Events:
7045 - New service installed (persistence indicator)
1102 - Audit log cleared (evidence tampering)
4697 - Service installed in the system
Lateral Movement Indicators:
4648 + 4624(Type 3) - Credential-based lateral movement
5140 - Network share accessed
5145 - Network share access check (detailed file share)
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Advanced Audit Policy | Granular audit subcategories (58 subcategories vs. 9 basic categories) |
| Event ID 4688 | Process creation event; essential for tracking execution on endpoints |
| WEF | Windows Event Forwarding; centralized log collection without third-party agents |
| Logon Type | Numeric code indicating authentication method (2=interactive, 3=network, 10=RDP) |
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