An audit trail is a chronological, immutable record of security-relevant activities, operations, or events within a system, application, or network infrastructure. It meticulously documents a sequence of actions performed by users, processes, or devices, tracking crucial details such as who performed an action, what action was taken, when it occurred, and from where. This comprehensive logging is essential for monitoring access attempts, configuration changes, data modifications, system logins, and network traffic patterns.

Audit trails are indispensable in cybersecurity for detecting unauthorized access, identifying suspicious behaviors, and tracing the root cause of security incidents or data breaches. They provide incontrovertible evidence during forensic investigations, helping organizations understand the scope and impact of attacks. Additionally, robust audit trails are vital for regulatory compliance, demonstrating adherence to security policies and legal requirements while providing accountability and transparency across all digital operations.