Duo Data Retention Policies
Duo data retention policies control how long the platform stores login and admin event logs. Teams set up log exports to external storage when they need longer audit trails. Security teams often start by viewing sign-in history inside the built-in admin panel. This basic setup works for recent checks, but old records age out over time. Also, broad admin roles can let too many users read or change log rules. How duo data retention policies work When a user logs in, the identity service records
Log Retention Policies: the complete guide
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Duo data retention policies control how long the platform stores login and admin event logs. Teams set up log exports to external storage when they need longer audit trails. Security teams often start by viewing sign-in history inside the built-in admin panel. This basic setup works for recent checks, but old records age out over time. Also, broad admin roles can let too many users read or change log rules.
How duo data retention policies work
When a user logs in, the identity service records the time, device, and result. It also tracks changes that admins make to user accounts, groups, and security rules. The platform keeps these records in its cloud storage for a set time window. Once a record passes that window, the system removes it from the active console. Teams that need years of history must send these logs to an external store. An engineer creates an API key in the admin console with read permissions. Next, a log shipper pulls the event records on a regular schedule. The shipper writes the records to a central log tool or cold storage bucket. Teams then set up retention rules inside their own storage to match audit needs. If an engineer grants full admin permissions to the API key, risk increases. A leaked key with broad rights could let an attacker change security rules.
What login logs solve and what they miss
Keeping sign-in logs helps security teams prove who passed a multi-factor check and when. Auditors ask for these records to check that every user verified their identity. If an attacker steals a password, failed push alerts show up in the log. Still, identity logs only show the front door of a session. Once a user logs in to a database or server, identity tracking stops. The sign-in log cannot see what SQL queries or shell commands run next. An engineer with a valid session can still run a bad update by mistake. They can also query tables that hold emails, phone numbers, or card numbers. Even with data masking that rewrites matched fields in results, login logs miss query text. Teams need command-level audit trails and field controls alongside their sign-in history.
Best practices for exporting identity and session logs
Start by scoping your API keys to read-only log permissions in the console. Never use a master admin key just to pull sign-in events for storage. Set up your log collector to run every few minutes to avoid data gaps. Store the exported records in a bucket that blocks edits and deletions. Test your log search tool often so you know queries work during an audit. Finally, pair your sign-in records with execution logs from your databases and servers. This gives your team a clear view from login to the final command.
Log Retention Policies: architecture patterns and best practices
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Frequently asked questions
What events do Duo logs capture for audits?
The platform logs user login attempts, device checks, admin changes, and telephony credits. It does not record the commands or queries a user runs after signing in.
How can teams keep Duo logs for multiple years?
Teams use the admin API or a log sync tool to pull events out. They save those records in their own cloud buckets or security log tools.
Why do auditors ask for more than identity logs?
Identity logs only prove that a user passed a login check at a set time. Auditors also need to see which database queries or server commands that user ran.