Keeping records of your network activity is an important part of running a secure and well-managed IT environment, especially for UK businesses that handle personal data. Logs are essentially detailed records of what happens on your network—such as who accessed what, when, and from where. These logs can help you spot unusual behaviour, investigate incidents, and demonstrate that you take data protection seriously.
Why network logs matter for UK SMEs
Under the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, businesses must protect personal data against unauthorised access or loss. While the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) doesn't explicitly require you to keep network logs, maintaining them supports compliance by helping you detect and respond to cyber threats or data breaches quickly. Without logs, it's harder to prove you have effective security controls in place, which can increase regulatory risk and damage customer trust.
For example, a typical SME with around 50 staff might experience a ransomware attack that encrypts their files overnight. If they have detailed network logs, their IT provider can trace the source of the attack, identify compromised accounts, and contain the breach more effectively. This reduces downtime, limits data loss, and helps with reporting to the ICO within the required 72-hour window.
How a good IT partner supports your logging needs
A managed IT provider will usually set up and maintain network logging as part of their service. They ensure logs are collected securely, stored for an appropriate period (often 6-12 months), and regularly reviewed for suspicious activity. They can also help you configure alerts for critical events and assist with incident response if something goes wrong.
They will also advise on compliance best practices, such as implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA), strict access controls, and regular software updates, which all reduce the risk of breaches that logs help detect and investigate.
Practical checklist for your business
- Ask your IT provider: Do you collect and retain network activity logs? How long are they kept? How are they secured?
- Check your logging scope: Are logs capturing key events like user logins, file access, firewall activity, and VPN connections?
- Review your incident response: Does your provider regularly review logs and alert you to unusual activity?
- Ensure compliance alignment: Are logging practices consistent with Cyber Essentials or ISO 27001 standards?
- Verify access controls: Who can view logs? Are logs protected from tampering?
- Test your readiness: Can your provider quickly produce logs to support an ICO breach report if needed?
Next steps
Keeping network logs is a practical and effective way to strengthen your IT security and support data protection compliance. Speak with a trusted managed IT service provider or IT advisor who understands the needs of UK SMEs. They can assess your current setup, recommend improvements, and help you implement robust logging and monitoring tailored to your business size and sector.