What is the purpose of logging and monitoring in network security?

Logging and monitoring serve a fundamental role in network security by tracking actions and changes within the network. This process involves collecting and analyzing data related to system usage, user activities, and network traffic. By maintaining logs of these activities, security professionals can create a historical record that is crucial for identifying suspicious behavior, detecting potential security breaches, and ensuring compliance with various regulations and policies.

The insights gained from logging and monitoring enable organizations to respond swiftly to security incidents, perform forensic analysis when necessary, and fine-tune their security protocols to prevent future vulnerabilities. This proactive approach helps in maintaining the overall integrity and security of the network.

Establishing internet connectivity, encrypting sensitive data, and controlling user access levels, while significant, do not directly pertain to the specific purpose of logging and monitoring. These activities focus more on connectivity, data protection, and user permissions, respectively, rather than on tracking and analyzing network activity for security purposes.