📌 Audit Trails Summary
Audit trails are detailed records that capture the sequence of activities or changes made within a system or process. They log information such as who performed an action, what was changed, and when the action took place. This helps organisations track and review actions to ensure accountability and detect any unauthorised or suspicious behaviour.
🙋🏻♂️ Explain Audit Trails Simply
Imagine a notebook where every time someone enters or leaves a room, their name, the time, and what they did are written down. If something goes missing or breaks, you can check the notebook to see who was there and what happened. Audit trails work the same way for digital systems, recording every important action so you can see who did what and when.
📅 How Can it be used?
Add audit trails to a financial app to monitor and review every transaction and change made by users.
🗺️ Real World Examples
In a hospital, audit trails are used in electronic health record systems to track which staff members accessed or edited patient information, helping to ensure patient privacy and comply with legal regulations.
Online banking platforms use audit trails to log every login, payment, and account change, allowing banks to investigate fraud claims and resolve disputes by reviewing the detailed records.
✅ FAQ
What is an audit trail and why is it important?
An audit trail is a record of all the actions and changes made within a system, including details about who did what and when. It is important because it helps organisations keep track of activities, spot any mistakes or unusual behaviour, and make sure everyone is following the rules. This makes it easier to find out what happened if something goes wrong.
How do audit trails help with security?
Audit trails help with security by providing a clear history of every action and change in a system. If something suspicious happens, the audit trail can show exactly who was involved and what they did. This can help stop unauthorised access and quickly identify any problems, making it easier to protect sensitive information.
Can audit trails help when mistakes are made?
Yes, audit trails are very useful when mistakes happen. They let organisations look back at what was changed, who made the change, and when it happened. This makes it easier to understand how an error occurred and find the best way to fix it. It also helps prevent the same mistake from happening again.
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