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10.6 Time-synchronization mechanisms support consistent time settings across all systems.

This requirement focuses on implementing time-synchronization mechanisms to ensure consistent time settings across all systems. Accurate and synchronized time is essential for correlating events across different systems during security incident investigations.

Sub-requirements

10.6. Audit logs are protected and alerting is in place.

Ensure that audit logs are protected from unauthorized modification and that alerts are generated for suspicious events.

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3
Sub-requirements
4
Test Points
Moderate-High (3.7)
Implementation Difficulty

Control Types

Technical
Process
Technical: 2
Process: 2

Key Risks

Log tampering or deletion
Missed security alerts
Delayed response to incidents

Frequently Asked Questions

How are audit logs protected?

By using access controls, immutable storage, and regular monitoring.

What triggers a security alert?

Suspicious log events, unauthorized access attempts, or log collection failures.

How are alerts handled?

They are escalated to security personnel for investigation and response.

What are the risks of unprotected logs?

Tampering, loss of evidence, and undetected incidents.

How often are alerting mechanisms tested?

At least annually, or after significant changes.

Common QSA Questions

Can you show how logs are protected from modification?

Yes, we use access controls and immutable storage for all critical logs.

How are security alerts generated and handled?

We use SIEM tools that generate alerts and escalate incidents to our security team.

How do you test your alerting mechanisms?

We perform regular tests and document the results to ensure alerts are working as intended.

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