Extend Microsoft 365 Audit Log Retention Limits
Extending Your Audit Log Retention Limits in Microsoft 365
Many organizations using Microsoft 365 E3 licenses struggle with a major challenge:
- How to extend audit log retention beyond Microsoft's default 180 days limit.
Keeping long-term audit logs is crucial for GxP compliance and cybersecurity. Our Audit Vault for M365 solution allows you to retain your Microsoft audit logs for as long as you need them, ensuring your organization meets compliance and security requirements.
Microsoft's Current Audit Log Retention Limits
With a Microsoft 365 E3 license, audit logs are only retained for 180 days, which can be a serious issue for organizations that require long-term retention for compliance and security. Once this period ends, critical audit data is permanently deleted, increasing the risk of regulatory violations, security gaps, and the loss of legal audit trails. Extending retention through Microsoft often requires expensive E5 upgrades or additional licensing, making it costly for organizations to maintain a full historical record.
Microsoft 365 Audit Log Retention Options
| License | Retention | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft E1 | 180 days | Audit (Standard) |
| Microsoft E3 | 180 days | Audit (Standard) |
| Microsoft Office 365 | 180 days | Audit (Standard) |
| Microsoft Office 365 E5 | 1 year | Audit (Premium) |
| Microsoft 365 E5 | 1 year | Audit (Premium) |
| Microsoft E5 (Extended Retention) | 10 years | Extended Retention |
| Audit Vault for M365 | Unlimited | Standard |
It's important to note that the retention period is determined by the Microsoft license assigned to the user who performed the audited activity, not the administrator or auditor reviewing the logs.
Source: Microsoft Audit Solutions
Audit Vault for M365: A Cost-Effective Solution for Audit Log Retention
Audit Vault for M365 helps you overcome Microsoft 365’s audit log retention limits without purchasing expensive upgrades. It easily integrates with your existing Microsoft 365 tenant, allowing you to keep audit logs longer than the 180-day limit with E3 licenses.
Even if you have a Microsoft 365 E5 license, Audit Vault for M365 extends retention beyond the 1-year limit without needing Microsoft’s pricey 10-year retention licenses, helping you reduce unnecessary costs.
Benefits of Audit Vault for M365:
-
Compliance:
Keep audit logs for as long as needed to meet regulatory requirements and avoid penalties. For example, GxP regulations often require organizations to retain records related to product development, manufacturing, and distribution for 10 years or more.
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Cost Savings:
Save money by avoiding Microsoft’s expensive licensing fees while maintaining long-term audit log retention.
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Advanced Reporting:
Quickly generate easy to read audit log reports using Audit Vault for M365's Insights Search feature.
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Quick & Easy Setup:
Get started in minutes with our simple, hassle-free setup process.
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Enhanced Security:
Use advanced search, detailed reports and threat detection tools to monitor and protect your Microsoft 365 tenant.
Start Retaining Your Microsoft Audit Logs Today
Stop overpaying for audit log retention—Audit Vault for M365 gives you complete control of your audit logs at a fraction of the cost!
