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Security Operations · Intermediate

Missing Logs

An indicator of compromise where expected log data is absent, suggesting tampering or deliberate clearing.

Definition

Attackers clear or stop logging to hide activity, for example clearing the Windows Security log (Event ID 1102) or stopping the audit service. Gaps in time-sequenced logs or sudden silence from a source should be investigated. Forwarding logs to a central SIEM protects against local deletion.

Example

A domain controller stops sending events to the SIEM for 40 minutes overnight.

Exam tip

Event ID 1102 (audit log cleared) and gaps in log sequence are classic anti-forensics indicators.

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