> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.dsalta.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Azure activity logs should be archived

> Checks that Azure activity logs are archived for audit purposes.

Checks that Azure activity logs are archived for audit purposes.

## About

When you connect Microsoft Azure to DSALTA, the platform retrieves the list of resources in your environment using read-only API access. DSALTA then checks whether this configuration is in place. If it is not, DSALTA activates this check so you can remediate it.

## Why This Matters

Without audit logs you cannot detect unauthorized activity, investigate an incident, or prove what happened during an audit. Comprehensive, retained logs are the forensic backbone of incident response and are mandated by SOC 2, ISO 27001, and HIPAA.

## How to Fix

**Before you begin**

* Ensure you have **Contributor** access to the Azure subscription.

**Archive activity / flow logs**

1. Sign in to the [Azure Portal](https://portal.azure.com/).
2. For **activity logs**, open **Monitor → Activity log → Export Activity Logs**, add a diagnostic setting, and archive to a storage account with **365-day** retention.
3. For **NSG / VNet flow logs**, open **Network Watcher → NSG flow logs**, turn the log **On**, select a storage account, and set **90-day** retention.

Once logs are captured and retained, DSALTA retrieves the change on the next sync and sets the check status to **Passing**.

## Frequently Asked Questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="How often does this check run?">
    This check runs automatically every 24 hours while the Microsoft Azure integration is connected. You can also trigger a manual sync from **Integrations** in the sidebar.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What happens if it keeps failing?">
    A failing check appears in your **Data Library → Tests** dashboard. Work through the steps above; once the underlying configuration is fixed, the status updates automatically on the next sync.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I exclude this check?">
    Yes. If it does not apply to your environment, mark it as **Not Applicable** with a justification. The exclusion is documented for auditors.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does DSALTA change my Microsoft Azure configuration?">
    No. DSALTA uses **read-only API access** and never modifies, creates, or deletes resources. All remediation is performed by your team directly in Microsoft Azure.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>