Logging and monitoring are essential parts of keeping your business IT systems secure and reliable. In simple terms, logging means recording events and activities on your IT network—such as who accessed what data and when—while monitoring involves regularly reviewing these logs to spot unusual or suspicious behaviour. Following the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) good practice guidance, having these processes in place helps you detect cyber threats early, respond quickly to incidents, and maintain smooth business operations.
Why logging and monitoring matter for UK SMEs
For small and medium-sized businesses in the UK, the impact of not having proper logging and monitoring can be significant. Without these controls, cyber attacks or system failures might go unnoticed until they cause serious damage—like data loss, extended downtime, or breaches of customer information. This can harm your reputation, reduce staff productivity, and even lead to regulatory scrutiny under UK GDPR or the Data Protection Act 2018. Logging and monitoring also support compliance with Cyber Essentials and ISO 27001, which are increasingly important for winning contracts and demonstrating good governance.
A typical scenario
Imagine a UK SME with around 50 employees that handles customer data daily. Without effective logging, a cyber attacker could gain unauthorised access to sensitive files without triggering any alerts. The business only discovers the breach days later, after customers report suspicious activity. A managed IT provider following NCSC guidance would have set up automated monitoring tools to flag unusual login attempts or data transfers immediately. This allows the business to act fast—isolating affected systems, informing stakeholders, and minimising damage.
Practical checklist: What you can do now
- Ask your IT provider: Do you maintain comprehensive logs of user access, system changes, and security events? How often are these logs reviewed?
- Check your service agreements: Is monitoring included as part of your managed IT services? Are alerts and incident responses clearly defined?
- Review internal policies: Are access rights regularly audited? Do you enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) to reduce unauthorised access?
- Test your incident response: Does your provider have a process for investigating alerts and escalating issues promptly?
- Ensure backup integrity: Are backups logged and monitored to confirm they run successfully and can be restored if needed?
- Supplier due diligence: When selecting new vendors, do you require evidence of their logging and monitoring capabilities as part of your security questionnaire?
By focusing on these areas, you can improve your IT security posture and reduce the risk of costly disruptions or data breaches.
It's wise to discuss your current logging and monitoring arrangements with a trusted managed IT provider or IT advisor. They can help you understand what's working, identify gaps, and implement practical improvements aligned with NCSC good practice and UK compliance expectations. This proactive approach supports your business resilience and builds confidence with customers and regulators alike.