An audit trail is a record of events that document the sequence of activities or transactions that have occurred within a system or application.
In the context of data privacy and security, an audit trail is used to track and monitor access to sensitive information, as well as changes made to that information over time.
Audit trails can be used to ensure the integrity of data, investigate security incidents and data breaches, and demonstrate compliance with data protection regulations.
The information captured in an audit trail may include the identity of the user who accessed or modified the data, the date and time of the action, the type of action performed, and the system or application involved.
Audit trails are typically created automatically by software systems, but they can also be manually created by users.
They are often stored in a secure location, separate from the data they document, to prevent tampering or deletion.
Regular review of audit trails can provide valuable insights into potential security risks or compliance issues, allowing organizations to take proactive measures to protect sensitive data.
