Logon Auditing and Session History

Images:

Visual representation of SQL Server login auditing interface.

Overview of session history and activity monitoring in SQL Server.

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Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Understanding Logon Auditing
   • 2.1 What is Logon Auditing?
   • 2.2 Importance of Logon Auditing
3. Enabling Logon Auditing in SQL Server
   • 3.1 Using SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)
   • 3.2 Configuring Server Properties
   • 3.3 Restarting SQL Server for Changes to Take Effect
4. Viewing and Analyzing Logon Events
   • 4.1 Accessing SQL Server Logs
   • 4.2 Interpreting Logon Event Messages
   • 4.3 Filtering Logon Events for Specific Information
5. Understanding Session History
   • 5.1 What is Session History?
   • 5.2 Importance of Monitoring Session History
6. Capturing Session History in SQL Server
   • 6.1 Using Extended Events
   • 6.2 Implementing sp_session_logger
   • 6.3 Utilizing SQL Server Profiler
7. Best Practices for Logon Auditing and Session History
   • 7.1 Regular Monitoring and Analysis
   • 7.2 Implementing Alerts for Suspicious Activities
   • 7.3 Archiving Logs for Compliance
8. Troubleshooting Common Issues
   • 8.1 Resolving Logon Failures
   • 8.2 Addressing Performance Concerns
9. Advanced Techniques
   • 9.1 Automating Logon Auditing Reports
   • 9.2 Integrating with Third-Party Monitoring Tools
10. Conclusion

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1. Introduction

In the realm of database management, ensuring the security and integrity of data is paramount. SQL Server, a widely used relational database management system, offers robust features for monitoring and auditing user activities. Two critical aspects of this monitoring are logon auditing and session history tracking. These features provide administrators with insights into user authentication attempts and session behaviors, aiding in the detection of unauthorized access and potential security breaches.

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2. Understanding Logon Auditing

2.1 What is Logon Auditing?

Logon auditing refers to the process of tracking and recording user authentication attempts to a SQL Server instance. This includes both successful and failed login attempts, capturing details such as the login name, login time, client IP address, and the authentication method used. By enabling logon auditing, administrators can maintain a comprehensive log of all access attempts, which is crucial for security monitoring and compliance purposes.

2.2 Importance of Logon Auditing

The significance of logon auditing extends beyond mere record-keeping:

• Security Monitoring: Identifies unauthorized access attempts, helping to detect potential security threats.
• Compliance Requirements: Meets regulatory requirements for tracking access to sensitive data.
• Troubleshooting: Assists in diagnosing login issues and understanding user access patterns.
• Audit Trails: Provides a historical record of login activities for forensic analysis.

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3. Enabling Logon Auditing in SQL Server

3.1 Using SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)

To enable logon auditing through SSMS: (Auditing SQL Server Logins | DBA Diaries)

1. Open SSMS and connect to the SQL Server instance.
2. Right-click on the server name in Object Explorer and select Properties. (Auditing Failed Logins in SQL Server)
3. Navigate to the Security page. (Auditing Failed Logins in SQL Server)
4. Under Login auditing, choose one of the following options: (Audit failed SQL Server logins – Part 2 – using native tools to investigate failed logins)
   • None – No login auditing. (Audit failed SQL Server logins – Part 2 – using native tools to investigate failed logins)
   • Failed logins only – Audits failed login attempts. (Audit failed SQL Server logins – Part 2 – using native tools to investigate failed logins)
   • Successful logins only – Audits successful login attempts. (Audit failed SQL Server logins – Part 2 – using native tools to investigate failed logins)
   • Both failed and successful logins – Audits both successful and failed login attempts. (Audit failed SQL Server logins – Part 2 – using native tools to investigate failed logins)
5. Click OK to apply the changes. (Auditing Failed Logins in SQL Server)
6. Restart the SQL Server instance for the changes to take effect.

*Note: Enabling auditing for both successful and failed logins can generate a large volume of log data, especially on busy servers. It’s advisable to monitor the impact on performance and storage. *

3.2 Configuring Server Properties

Alternatively, logon auditing can be configured using T-SQL commands by modifying the server properties. However, this approach requires a deep understanding of SQL Server’s internal configurations and is typically used by advanced administrators.

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4. Viewing and Analyzing Logon Events

4.1 Accessing SQL Server Logs

Once logon auditing is enabled, events are logged in the SQL Server error log and the Windows Event Viewer. To access these logs:

• SQL Server Error Log: In SSMS, navigate to Management > SQL Server Logs. Here, you can view and filter the logs for login events. (Auditing SQL Server Logins | DBA Diaries)
• Windows Event Viewer: Open the Event Viewer on the server machine and navigate to Windows Logs > Application. Look for events from the source MSSQLSERVER.

4.2 Interpreting Logon Event Messages

Logon event messages provide detailed information about each login attempt:

• Login succeeded: Indicates a successful login.
• Login failed: Indicates a failed login attempt. The message will include a reason, such as “Password did not match that for the login provided.” (Auditing SQL Server Logins | DBA Diaries)
• Error messages: Provide specific error codes and descriptions, which can be used to diagnose issues.

Example:

2012-06-30 10: