File integrity monitoring
File integrity monitoring is the observation and reporting of unauthorized or unexpected changes to files and other monitored system objects.
Data-Driven Cybersecurity
File integrity monitoring is the observation of files to detect unauthorized or unexpected modifications.
- How it is used
- Supports incident analysis by identifying unauthorized changes to critical system files and helping prioritize response efforts.
- How deep it goes
- Defines monitoring and alerting for critical files, but does not detail configuration, baselining, or change-investigation procedures.
- Examples
- Uses critical system files and directories, unauthorized-change alerts, Wazuh, and ELK-based visualization as concrete examples.
- What you can do after
- Diagnose/debug with it by detecting reported changes that may indicate compromise and require incident investigation.
Read how Data-Driven Cybersecurity explains file integrity monitoring →
Azure Security
File integrity monitoring observes selected files and registry entries for changes that may indicate tampering or compromise.
- How it is used
- Monitors selected server files and registries for changes that may reveal tampering or compromise.
- How deep it goes
- Defines supported monitoring targets and security significance but stops short of configuration steps, detection logic, and response procedures.
- Examples
- Uses OS files, Windows registries, application software, and Linux system files as monitoring targets.
- What you can do after
- Evaluate which server files and registries should be monitored for attack-indicating changes.
Read how Azure Security explains file integrity monitoring →
Related concepts
- Wazuhuses · Wazuh is an open-source security platform for threat detection, file-integrity monitoring, vulnerability detection, and compliance analysis.
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