How can log integrity be ensured and tampering prevented when storing logs?

Adding a log checksum in the system configuration establishes a method for verifying the integrity of the logs. A checksum is a calculated value that represents the content of the log file at a particular point in time. When logs are generated, the system computes the checksum and stores it alongside the logs. Later, when retrieving or reviewing the logs, the system can recalculate the checksum and compare it to the stored value. If there is any discrepancy, it indicates that the log data may have been altered or tampered with, thereby ensuring that the logs have not been modified after creation.

This method is essential for maintaining reliable, tamper-resistant logs, which are crucial for audit trails and security compliance. Proper log integrity checks act as a safeguard against unauthorized changes and can provide substantial evidence in forensic investigations.

Other options, such as enabling log forwarding or using external log storage, can enhance log management and accessibility but do not focus specifically on ensuring log integrity through checksums. Disabling log archiving would actually increase the risk of losing logs and does not contribute to preventing tampering. Thus, implementing a log checksum is the most effective way to maintain log integrity.