Most small businesses don’t wake up thinking about network logs — and honestly, why would they? They’re not exciting, and they’re definitely not on anyone’s morning checklist.
But here’s the truth: your network logs are the early-warning system for problems you really don’t want to discover too late — things like unauthorized access, malware infections, failing hardware, or someone quietly poking around parts of your network they shouldn’t.
The good news? You don’t need to become a security analyst. You just need to know which logs matter and why they’re worth checking every day.
Here are the five logs small businesses overlook the most — and the red flags each one reveals.
1. Firewall Logs
If something bad is trying to get into your network, your firewall sees it first.
Why it matters:
Firewall logs show blocked traffic, unusual connection attempts, and failed access from suspicious locations.
What to look for:
Repeated failed connection attempts
Traffic coming from countries you don’t do business with
Sudden spikes in blocked IP addresses
These are often the earliest signs of a brute-force attempt or a compromised device trying to “phone home.”
2. Authentication Logs
Every login tells a story — especially the failed ones.
Why it matters:
Authentication logs show who logged in, when, and from where. They quickly expose stolen passwords or internal misuse.
What to look for:
Login attempts outside normal business hours
Logins from unusual locations
Multiple failed password attempts
If someone is trying to break in, this is usually where they slip up first.
3. Endpoint Security Logs
Your desktops and laptops are prime targets — and attackers rely on them being ignored.
Why it matters:
Endpoint logs catch malware, risky downloads, unauthorized software installs, and anything trying to run in the background.
What to look for:
Blocked malware alerts
Unknown applications trying to install
Disabled antivirus or firewall settings
One infected endpoint can compromise the whole network.
4. VPN Logs
Remote access is a gift — until it’s abused.
Why it matters:
VPN logs show who connected remotely and what they accessed. They help you spot unusual behavior fast.
What to look for:
Remote logins at odd hours
Connections from unexpected countries
Long, unusual sessions with lots of data transfer
A risky VPN login can be the start of a breach.
5. System Event Logs
This is where your servers and critical devices quietly tell you something’s wrong.
Why it matters:
These logs reveal failing hardware, corrupted files, misconfigurations, and software issues before they turn into downtime.
What to look for:
Repeated system errors
Services failing to start
Storage or CPU warnings
Catch these early, and you avoid outages that take your whole team offline.
Final Thought
Monitoring logs daily doesn’t have to be complicated — but ignoring them is expensive.
With the right tools (or a managed IT team watching things for you), you can spot problems before they hit productivity, data, or security.
At ETTE, we help small businesses keep an eye on the logs that matter — so they stay protected long before attackers even get close.