Windows File Server Auditing

Automate file audits for faster, more accurate access auditing

Proactive file server auditing and alerts

Proactive file server auditing and alerts

Proactive file audits, rather than reactive responses, can help reduce risk and save money. As lightweight Windows file auditing software, SolarWinds ARM assesses file and folder permissions and user account configurations to proactively help identify potential data risks. Shared folder audit software like ARM can simplify security assessments by providing accurate insights into the specific files and folders across an organization. Identifying insecure account configurations before an audit or incident can help strengthen security and speed compliance.

Rapid threat assessment and response

Rapid threat assessment and response

Unusual user access and activity can signal the first stages of a data breach, ransomware attack, or malware outbreak. For example, an attacker may target an account to access all its shared files and folders before encrypting them for ransom. By responding quickly to file server activity, IT can contain the threat and better protect critical data. The SolarWinds® Access Rights Manager (ARM) file server audit tool is designed to alert you whenever an account with insecure configurations is created— and provide a full audit trail of all permissions and changes on shared files and folders.

Automated, custom audit-ready reports

Automated, custom audit-ready reports

Some file server auditing tools may not give you the details you need on user access or file or folder permissions. Plus, each auditor may have different requirements for what they expect to see concerning compliance. Access Rights Manager is built to deliver flexible, customized reports showing who has access to what files or folders and when they accessed them. Plus, you can schedule these reports to be automatically sent directly to your auditor. With automated account deprovisioning, you can quickly mitigate threats to your data or compliance status.
Get More on File Server Auditing
Do you find yourself asking…
  • What is file server auditing?
  • How does file server auditing work?
  • Why is file server auditing important?
  • What is Windows file auditing software?
  • How does the file server auditing software work in Access Rights Manager?
  • Related Features and Tools
  • What is file server auditing?

    File server auditing provides insight into your file server authorization settings and access history. Auditing often involves running reports on specific aspects of file server usage, which can give you visibility into who accessed what, when access occurred, and even where access originated.

  • How does file server auditing work?

    File server auditing is all about ensuring visibility into configurations and activity. This can be achieved on a rolling basis by leveraging dashboard-based visual displays or alerts, but more typically is achieved by running definitive audits to create reports around specific timeframes and data.

    By running reports or checking an automated dashboard, you can proactively ensure your file access security settings are appropriate for your organization. This can help prevent potential problems in the future. If sudden permission changes occur or files are unexpectedly deleted or renamed, you should be notified of those changes.

    Auditing might also be necessary after an incident occurs. Improper access—whether by internal or external users—is a cause for concern, especially if sensitive data has been accessed, erased, or shared outside your organization. To better understand if a compliance breach has occurred, your best bet is to run an automated, comprehensive report.

  • Why is file server auditing important?

    File server auditing is important because it gives you visibility into how end users can access files and folders. If someone has viewed or altered sensitive data, auditing provides insight into the activity. As such, file server auditing can help you ensure your organization remains compliant with critical regulations like HIPAA or PCI DSS.

    File servers provide centralized storage for organizations, which allows users to exercise tighter control over company data. However, if configuration settings are not handled correctly—or if bad actors gain access to a user account with a high level of permissions—improper activity can occur.

  • What is Windows file auditing software?

    Windows file auditing software is an automated tool to help solve common problems associated with manual file auditing. The software integrates with multiple Windows file servers, Active Directory, and other relevant programs to provide you with insight into user activity and data security.

    File auditing software helps you digest the event logs generated by file server activity. Windows event files can lack context, but file auditing software can help unify your view. You may need to look at Windows event logs from across Active Directory, SQL Server, SharePoint, and other Windows file servers.

    Using Windows file auditing software helps ensure rapid risk mitigation. With a server audit tool, you can configure accurate real-time alerts to ensure your business’ files and folders remain secure.

  • How does the file server auditing software work in Access Rights Manager?

    SolarWinds Access Rights Manager offers the critical file server auditing tools you need to gain comprehensive visibility into your Windows file servers.

    Gain insight into files and folders, AD objects like Users and Groups, and more. You can also get detailed summaries of file server objects and permissions for defined time periods. For instance, ARM can log activities within Active Directory and multiple file servers according to the end user.

    Activity event logs and user configuration data is available in ARM’s dashboard, where critical changes can trigger security alerts. You can use these alerts to gain instant insight into security threats like successful and failed access attempts.

  • Related Features and Tools

    Related Tools:
    SolarWinds Security Event Manager
    SolarWinds Access Right Manager
    SolarWinds Identity Monitor

    Related Features:
    Active Directory Auditing Tool
    Streamline IT Security Audits
    Exchange Auditing Software
    Automated Audit Management Software
    SharePoint Audit Tool

What is file server auditing?

File server auditing provides insight into your file server authorization settings and access history. Auditing often involves running reports on specific aspects of file server usage, which can give you visibility into who accessed what, when access occurred, and even where access originated.

Close
How does file server auditing work?

File server auditing is all about ensuring visibility into configurations and activity. This can be achieved on a rolling basis by leveraging dashboard-based visual displays or alerts, but more typically is achieved by running definitive audits to create reports around specific timeframes and data.

By running reports or checking an automated dashboard, you can proactively ensure your file access security settings are appropriate for your organization. This can help prevent potential problems in the future. If sudden permission changes occur or files are unexpectedly deleted or renamed, you should be notified of those changes.

Auditing might also be necessary after an incident occurs. Improper access—whether by internal or external users—is a cause for concern, especially if sensitive data has been accessed, erased, or shared outside your organization. To better understand if a compliance breach has occurred, your best bet is to run an automated, comprehensive report.

Close
Why is file server auditing important?

File server auditing is important because it gives you visibility into how end users can access files and folders. If someone has viewed or altered sensitive data, auditing provides insight into the activity. As such, file server auditing can help you ensure your organization remains compliant with critical regulations like HIPAA or PCI DSS.

File servers provide centralized storage for organizations, which allows users to exercise tighter control over company data. However, if configuration settings are not handled correctly—or if bad actors gain access to a user account with a high level of permissions—improper activity can occur.

Close
What is Windows file auditing software?

Windows file auditing software is an automated tool to help solve common problems associated with manual file auditing. The software integrates with multiple Windows file servers, Active Directory, and other relevant programs to provide you with insight into user activity and data security.

File auditing software helps you digest the event logs generated by file server activity. Windows event files can lack context, but file auditing software can help unify your view. You may need to look at Windows event logs from across Active Directory, SQL Server, SharePoint, and other Windows file servers.

Using Windows file auditing software helps ensure rapid risk mitigation. With a server audit tool, you can configure accurate real-time alerts to ensure your business’ files and folders remain secure.

Close
How does the file server auditing software work in Access Rights Manager?

SolarWinds Access Rights Manager offers the critical file server auditing tools you need to gain comprehensive visibility into your Windows file servers.

Gain insight into files and folders, AD objects like Users and Groups, and more. You can also get detailed summaries of file server objects and permissions for defined time periods. For instance, ARM can log activities within Active Directory and multiple file servers according to the end user.

Activity event logs and user configuration data is available in ARM’s dashboard, where critical changes can trigger security alerts. You can use these alerts to gain instant insight into security threats like successful and failed access attempts.

Close
Related Features and Tools

Manage and audit your file servers quickly and easily

Access Rights Manager

  • Manage and audit file server permissions and access

  • Quickly manage and provision user access

  • Generate custom management and audit-ready reports

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