What is Session Recording and Logging?
Session Recording and Logging refers to the capture of user activity during interactive access sessions, including keystrokes, screen video, file transfers, authentication events, and system commands. While session recording provides a visual and metadata-based playback of the session, session logging tracks discrete actions and events in a structured log format. Together, they offer a comprehensive, auditable record of what occurred, when, and by whom, making them essential for security monitoring, incident response, and regulatory compliance.
Why is Session Recording and Logging Important?
In critical infrastructure environments, where system integrity and accountability are paramount, simply knowing who logged in is not enough. Organizations need to understand what was done during the session. Session recording and logging provide this visibility by creating a forensic trail that captures both intent and impact.
These controls support cyber incident investigations, internal audits, and compliance requirements mandated by standards like NERC CIP, IEC 62443, TSA SD02E, NIS2, and Saudi OTCC-1:2022. They also help detect insider threats, prevent unauthorized changes, and ensure that third-party users such as third-party vendors and OEMs or remote technicians, can be held accountable for their actions. In OT environments, where mistakes or malicious activity can lead to real-world safety and operational consequences, session recording becomes an indispensable tool.
How Does Xona Help with Session Recording and Logging?
Xona records every user session by default, including full video playback, system-level logs, user actions, and access context (who, what, when, from where). This comprehensive session capture occurs within Xona’s disconnected access gateway, meaning that sessions are isolated and monitored without exposing critical systems to the user's endpoint.
Administrators can search, filter, and replay sessions for forensic analysis or compliance audits, and forward session logs to external SIEMs or data lakes. Every interaction, whether it's a terminal command, RDP click, or file transfer, is captured, timestamped, and securely stored, ensuring provable accountability for every privileged session.
Unlike traditional VPNs or PAM tools, Xona does not rely on endpoint-based logging or agents. All recording is handled centrally, consistently, and invisibly to the user, making it ideal for securing remote access across diverse, distributed OT environments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between session recording and session logging?
Session recording captures visual and behavioral activity like screen output and user interaction and session logging tracks structured data like commands, file transfers, and authentication events in log files.
Why is session recording important in critical infrastructure environments?
It provides a complete, auditable trail of user activity, allowing organizations to detect unauthorized changes, investigate incidents, meet compliance requirements for operational accountability, and even use the recordings for training purposes.
What compliance frameworks require session recording or logging?
Can session recordings be used for forensic investigations or audits?
How does Xona implement session recording and logging?
Xona records every session centrally at the gateway level, capturing screen activity, commands, and metadata without requiring endpoint agents or exposing critical systems to insecure user devices.
