The collaboration between the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD), and Microsoft has resulted in the release of the Microsoft Expanded Cloud Log Implementation Playbook. This playbook aims to assist organizations in both the public and private sectors in utilizing Microsoft Purview Audit (Standard) logs to enhance their cybersecurity operations.
The Microsoft Expanded Cloud Log Implementation playbook offers detailed guidance on enabling and utilizing new logging capabilities to improve threat detection, incident response, and overall enterprise security. By operationalizing these logs, organizations can better detect and defend against advanced cyber threats, particularly those targeting identity-based systems.
The playbook includes information on enabling and operationalizing newly available cloud logs, threat hunting scenarios to identify common tactics used in identity-based compromises, best practices for navigating Microsoft 365 logs, and analytical methodologies for leveraging logs to detect sophisticated cyber threat actor behavior. It also focuses on enabling the use of advanced logs such as monitoring unauthorized access to emails, identifying potentially malicious outbound email activity, and detecting unusual or unauthorized searches in SharePoint Online and Exchange Online.
Furthermore, the playbook provides guidance on ingesting these logs into Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems like Microsoft Sentinel and Splunk for deeper analysis and integration into cybersecurity workflows. This expanded logging capability from Microsoft, made available to public entities using Microsoft Purview Audit (Standard), significantly broadens access to critical security data, allowing more organizations to strengthen their cyber defenses.
Comments from CISA Director Jen Easterly and National Cyber Director Harry Coker Jr. emphasized the importance of the playbook in strengthening cyber defense capabilities through collaboration with federal and private sector partners. The Secure-by-Design approach, a key principle of modern cybersecurity, integrates critical security features into products and systems to better defend against cyber threats. Microsoft remains committed to partnering with the federal government to prioritize security.
The playbook is designed for technical personnel responsible for log collection, aggregation, correlation, and incident-response orchestration in government agencies and enterprises using Microsoft E3/G3-and-above licensing. It provides practical applications such as enabling logs, integrating logs into SIEMs, detecting threats, and supporting incident response, empowering cybersecurity teams to enhance their operations.
Overall, the release of the Microsoft Expanded Cloud Log Implementation playbook signifies a significant step forward in improving access to critical cybersecurity tools. By providing practical guidance and making advanced logs available, CISA, ONCD, and Microsoft aim to help organizations of all sizes enhance their security posture, detect advanced threats, and respond effectively to cyber incidents. Organizations using Microsoft E3/G3-and-above licensing are encouraged to utilize this resource to operationalize expanded cloud logs and strengthen their cybersecurity defenses.