What is user activity monitoring? User activity monitoring (UAM) is the process of monitoring and recording all user actions.
A highly-regarded UAM will capture all user actions, including but not limited to: Windows opened, checkboxes clicked, all text entered and edited, applications used, URLs visited, and system commands. A UAM is put in place to ensure that data is fully protected and that all users (employees, administrators, contractors, etc.) are working in accordance with their assigned roles and not performing any activities that would put the organization at risk. A value-added UAM will be able to deliver video playback of all user behavior, translate the playback into activity reports, and keep real-time records of all user activity that can be researched and investigated for any anomalies or inappropriate behavior.
User activity monitoring (UAM) solutions are tools that provide monitoring capabilities and track all user behavior throughout an organization, including networks, applications, devices, and all other company-owned resources. In today's marketplace, organizations have chosen to execute UAM solutions to keep their enterprise IT systems safe by detecting and stopping any threats, both intentional and unintentional. There are numerous options and methods of monitoring available, depending on an organization's size, company objective, and business type.
A UAM solution's main priority is to protect an organization’s information, monitor compliance, and maintain secure and consistent availability. The UAM will closely monitor all user activity from web browsing, if users have access to sensitive or unauthorized data, and more.
Some of the process used to monitor user behavior includes, but is not limited to:
It is important for enterprises to know and be aware of all user activity. Executing a UAM solution will allow an organization to more easily recognize suspicious, unauthorized, or inappropriate behavior. This is done to ensure that any potential risks or threats to the security of the organization's data integrity are minimized. Although some may consider it a form of surveillance, the main goal is to monitor user activity to identify misuse of company assets, determine inappropriate access or privilege, and avoid possible data breaches through unintentional or intentional bad behavior. Any information collected must be viewed within the parameters of the company as well as government policy and regulations. There should be specifically defined protocols based on user roles and assignments to adequately determine if appropriate behavior and activity are being consistently followed. Additionally, what is and is not appropriate behavior is up to the company and how each user role is defined or classified. A company can decide, for example, if it is acceptable behavior for users to visit social media, shopping sites, check personal email, play games, or have access to company intellectual property or financial information.
Monitoring is a general process that is mostly systematic, consistent, and constant. It can include passive or active observation of a place, process, or person. Conversely, surveillance is a process that has a defined focus on a direct target to gather specific information or evidence of inappropriate or unacceptable behavior, wrongdoing, or criminal activity.
The benefits of user activity monitoring solutions include:
Some features of user activity monitoring software include:
User activity logs: Your UAM should be able to interpret all user behavior and activity into user activity logs. The UAM will log such activities as applications run, URLs visited, all text (typed, edited, copied/pasted), keystrokes, etc. The UAM should also have the ability to sync up with video-type playbacks of any and all activities.
