Why?
We collect logs for a variety of reasons. While some organizations view log collection merely as a regulatory checkbox, others recognise the inherent value. These companies actively leverage log data to gain actionable insights, driving improvements in security, performance, and overall operational efficiency.
The utility of logs extends broadly, facilitating both reactive and proactive measures. Developers can efficiently debug application errors by scouring through logs, while security teams can preemptively detect and respond to security threats by analysing log patterns for suspicious behavior.
How?
Before addressing the methods for collecting you will need to consider a few questions:
- How much value do you assign to your logs
- What retention do you want (30 days, 3 months, etc)
- How sensitive are they? Can they leave your data centre?
- Are you willing to put on the work to keep them in-house or would you consider a SaaS solution?
Once you’ve answered these foundational questions, you can start exploring the “how.” Let’s break down some common and effective log collection methods.
Cloud-Based Log Management: SaaS Solutions
For organizations that prefer a hands-off approach, cloud-based log management services are a great option. These services handle log collection, storage, and analysis, allowing you to focus on your core business.
You deploy lightweight agents on your servers and applications. These agents then gather logs and forward them to a central log management system.
Pros:
- Minimal overhead: No need to manage infrastructure.
- Scalability: Cloud providers can handle massive volumes of log data.
- Advanced analytics: Many cloud services offer powerful log analysis and visualization tools.
Cons:
- Cost: Cloud services can be expensive, especially for large volumes of log data.
- Data security: You’re entrusting your log data to a third-party provider. This is where your sensitivity question from above becomes very important.
- Compliance: Some compliance regulations require that data does not leave your datacenter.
On-premises log collection
If you decide against a SaaS solution due to cost, security concerns or data locality, you can set up your own log collection platform. Options range from the traditional syslog server, commercial solutions like Splunk or free alternatives such as Opensearch, Elasticsearch and Grafana Loki.
You first need to install and configure your chosen server. Then, you deploy lightweight agents on your servers and applications. These agents then gather logs and forward them to a central log management system. Tools like Fluentd, Logstash, Promtail or even the AxonOps agent, if you’re working with Cassandra and Kafka, fall into this category.
Pros:
- Highly configurable: You can tailor the agents to collect specific logs and filter out noise.
- Real-time collection: Logs are typically sent as they’re generated, providing immediate visibility.
- Scalable: Well-designed agents can handle large volumes of log data.
Cons:
- Server management: Requires time and expertise to deploy and support the log collection server
- Agent management: Requires overhead for deployment, maintenance, and updates.
- Resource usage: Agents consume system resources, which can be a concern in resource-constrained environments.
Making the Right Choice
The best log collection method depends on your specific needs and requirements. Consider your budget, technical expertise, and security requirements when making your decision. For example, in the financial sector, security and reliability are paramount. Choose a solution that provides the necessary level of protection and performance.
Contact our team for a free consultation to discuss how we can tailor our approach to your specific needs and challenges.
I, for one, welcome our new robot overlords”
