Incident Response

Security Monitoring & Logging Policy

A security monitoring and logging policy template defining log collection, retention, analysis, and SIEM requirements for threat detection.

14-18 pages|Updated 2026-02-15|3 frameworks

What's Included

1. Purpose & Scope

Defines monitoring and logging scope across all systems.

2. Log Collection

Specifies what events must be logged across system types.

3. Log Retention

Defines retention periods by log type and regulatory requirement.

4. Log Protection

Establishes integrity and confidentiality controls for log data.

5. SIEM & Analysis

Outlines SIEM deployment and log analysis requirements.

6. Alerting & Escalation

Defines alerting thresholds and escalation procedures.

7. Review & Compliance

Sets review frequency and audit requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should a security monitoring & logging policy include?

A comprehensive security monitoring & logging policy should include purpose & scope, log collection, log retention, log protection, and more. This template covers 7 key sections aligned to ISO 27001, NIST SP 800-53, PCI DSS requirements.

Which frameworks require a incident response policy?

Major frameworks requiring incident response policies include ISO 27001, NIST SP 800-53, PCI DSS. This template maps directly to their control requirements, making it easier to demonstrate compliance across multiple standards.

How often should a security monitoring & logging policy be reviewed?

Best practice is to review your security monitoring & logging policy at least annually, or whenever significant changes occur in your organisation, technology environment, or regulatory landscape. Most frameworks including ISO 27001 and NIST CSF require documented policy review cycles.

Build Your Compliance Programme

Pair this policy template with our compliance platform to map controls across 693+ frameworks, run self-assessments, and get AI-powered compliance advisory.

Get Started Free →

Free forever — no credit card required