Understand the audit policy categories such as Account Logon Events, Account Management, Logon Events, Object Access, Policy Change, Privilege Use, Process Tracking, and System Events. 2. Configure audit settings via Local Group Policy Editor by navigating to Computer Configuration → Windows Settings → Security Settings → Local Policies → Audit Policy, selecting the desired policy, and enabling Success, Failure, or both, then running gpupdate /force to apply changes. 3. In domain environments, use Group Policy Management Console (GPMC) to edit or create a GPO, configure audit policies under the same path, link the GPO to the appropriate OU, and enforce updates with gpupdate /force. 4. To audit files, folders, or registry keys, first enable Audit object access, then set SACLs on the object by adding an audit entry for specific users and access types. 5. Monitor audit logs in Event Viewer under Windows Logs → Security, filter by Event IDs like 4624 (successful logon) or 4625 (failed logon), and use filtering for specific users or time ranges. Best practices include avoiding Process Tracking due to high log volume, balancing security with performance, regularly reviewing logs, and integrating with centralized logging solutions like SIEM for enterprises. Configuring audit policies is straightforward using gpedit.msc or GPOs, but effective auditing requires careful planning and log management.

Configuring Audit Policy settings in Windows allows you to track user and system activities, such as logons, file access, or privilege use. This is essential for security monitoring and compliance. Here’s how to set it up properly.

1. Understand the Types of Audit Policies

Windows audit policies fall into several categories, including:

• Account Logon Events – Tracks authentication attempts (e.g., using a smart card or password).
• Account Management – Logs creation, modification, or deletion of user or group accounts.
• Logon Events – Records local or remote logins and logoffs.
• Object Access – Monitors access to files, folders, registry keys, or printers (requires SACLs).
• Policy Change – Logs changes to audit policies or user rights.
• Privilege Use – Tracks when users exercise specific privileges (e.g., shutting down the system).
• Process Tracking – Logs program execution and termination (rarely used due to high log volume).
• System Events – Records system startups, shutdowns, or security policy changes.

You’ll typically use Local Group Policy or Group Policy in Active Directory to configure these.

2. Configure Audit Policy via Local Group Policy Editor

This method works on Windows Pro, Enterprise, or Education editions.

1. Press Win R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to:
   Computer Configuration → Windows Settings → Security Settings → Local Policies → Audit Policy
3. Double-click the policy you want to configure (e.g., "Audit logon events").
4. Check Success, Failure, or both, depending on what you want to log.
   • Success: Logs when the action completes.
   • Failure: Logs when the action is attempted but fails.
5. Click OK.
6. Repeat for other audit categories as needed.
7. Close the Group Policy Editor.

?? Changes take effect after the policy is applied. You can force it by opening Command Prompt as admin and running:
gpupdate /force

3. Use Group Policy in Active Directory (For Domain Environments)

In a domain, use Group Policy Management Console (GPMC):

1. Open Group Policy Management (gpmc.msc).
2. Edit an existing GPO or create a new one (e.g., “Audit Policy Configuration”).
3. Navigate to:
   Computer Configuration → Policies → Windows Settings → Security Settings → Local Policies → Audit Policy
4. Configure the desired audit settings as in the local method.
5. Link the GPO to the appropriate Organizational Unit (OU).
6. Run gpupdate /force on target machines or wait for automatic refresh.

This ensures consistent auditing across multiple computers.

4. Enable Object Access Auditing (For Files, Folders, Registry)

Auditing object access requires extra steps:

1. First, enable Audit object access in the audit policy.
2. Then, go to the object (e.g., a file or folder), right-click → Properties → Security → Advanced → Auditing tab.
3. Click Add, choose the user or group to monitor.
4. Select the type of access to audit (e.g., Read, Write, Delete).
5. Apply the settings.

Now, when that access occurs, an event will appear in Event Viewer → Windows Logs → Security.

5. Check and Monitor Audit Logs

After configuration:

1. Open Event Viewer (eventvwr.msc).
2. Go to Windows Logs → Security.
3. Look for events with Audit Success or Audit Failure types.
4. Filter logs using Event IDs (e.g., 4624 for successful logons, 4625 for failed logons).

? Tip: Use filters in Event Viewer to focus on specific events, users, or time ranges.

Notes and Best Practices

• Avoid enabling Process Tracking unless necessary—it generates massive logs.
• Balance security needs with performance and storage.
• Regularly review logs to detect suspicious activity.
• Combine audit policies with centralized logging (e.g., SIEM) in enterprise environments.

Basically, configuring audit policies is straightforward using gpedit.msc or GPOs, but effective auditing requires thoughtful planning on what to monitor and how to manage the resulting logs.

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