Implementing a Trusted Information Sharing Environment: Using Immutable Audit Logs to Increase Security, Trust, and Accountability

In this report, the Markle Task Force on National Security in the Information Age explores the use of immutable audit logs (IALs) to improve confidence and trust in the shared information environment (ISE) and thereby promote ISE's widespread adoption. The Markle Task Force explains, "The ability to maintain tamper-resistant logs of user activity on the network can increase security, build trust among users, ensure compliance with relevant policies and guidelines, and improve transparency and the ability to perform oversight by appropriate stakeholders outside of the system." In addition to defining IALs and identifying the benefits of this process, this report also offers considerations for the implementation process and recommendations for related policy.