PCI DSS 10.1.1: Documenting Logging and Monitoring Policies
PCI DSS 10.1.1 requires organizations to document all security policies and procedures for logging and monitoring activities, keeping them current and accessible to all relevant personnel. This foundational control ensures your team understands logging expectations and can consistently enforce them across systems. Meeting this requirement is essential for audit readiness and demonstrates due diligence in payment card data protection.
What this means
Control 10.1.1 mandates that your organization creates written documentation covering all security policies and procedures related to logging and monitoring (Requirement 10). These documents must be actively maintained, regularly updated to reflect current practices, actively used by staff, and known to everyone whose role involves logging or monitoring activities. This includes IT staff, security teams, and any personnel responsible for system access or data handling.
How to comply
- 1.Create comprehensive written security policies that document all logging and monitoring procedures required by PCI DSS Requirement 10
- 2.Define roles and responsibilities for who is responsible for implementing, maintaining, and monitoring logging controls
- 3.Document the scope of systems, applications, and user activities subject to logging and monitoring
- 4.Establish procedures for log retention, storage, protection, and review frequency
- 5.Include escalation procedures for suspicious activities or security incidents detected through logs
- 6.Distribute documented policies to all affected parties and maintain evidence of acknowledgment
- 7.Review and update policies at least annually or when significant system or security changes occur
- 8.Ensure policies are accessible and referenced in staff training and onboarding materials
Evidence auditors look for
- Documented security policies for logging and monitoring signed by management
- Policy documentation that covers log collection, retention, and review procedures
- Written procedures defining which systems and user activities require logging
- Staff acknowledgment records showing employees have received and understood logging policies
- Audit logs demonstrating policies are actively used and enforced
- Version control and update history showing policies are kept current
- Training materials that reference and reinforce logging policy requirements
Frequently asked questions
When will FAQs be available?
The FAQ for this control is currently being prepared.
GRCWatch automatically documents and maintains your PCI DSS logging policies, tracks policy acknowledgments from team members, and flags when updates are needed based on compliance changes—eliminating manual tracking and version control headaches.
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