Resolving SQL Server Audit Failed to Access the Security Log Error Effectively

When we talk about the SQL Server auditing process, it mainly includes tracking of login attempts within the database, any change with the permissions, any manipulation or modification to the database schema, or any updates. However, users might often encounter errors, such as SQL Server audit failed to access the security log during the audits. In this write-up, we are going to learn how we can fix the error using manual and professional approaches. 

Let’s first understand what the error is about, and then the common causes that lead to the error. 

What does SQL Server Authentication Login Failed Mean?

When the SQL Server audit failed to access the security log error occurs, it means that the SQL Server failed to write or record the audit events in the Windows Security Event Log. Let’s simplify the definition. When the error occurs, it means that SQL Server made an attempt to write the audit event to the Windows Security log but Windows didn’t approve the request. This can be due to various reasons, including insufficient permissions or privileges. Apart from this cause for the error, there are many other causes that trigger this error in the database. Let’s take a look at them to understand them better and find the best solutions to fix the issue.

Common Causes for SQL Server Audit Failed to Access the Security Log Error

• One of the most common causes for this error is that there are missing permissions to Generate Security audits in the Windows Security log. If the SQL Server engine is set up to maintain the audit events to the Windows log, it must have the user rights for the same. 
• Another reason that might trigger the error is the consistent change of SQL Server service account. Constantly changing the accounts or credentials can result in a lack of permissions.
• If Windows has security hardening protocols for organizations’ compliance, they can end up removing the privileges and further leading to this error. 
• If the virtual accounts in the SQL Server are not properly assigned with the audit privileges, they might not be able to track and record the audit events.

These are some of the reasons that lead to the error. Now, we will see how SQL Server audit failed to access the security log affects users and their day-to-day tasks. 

Challenges Caused by SQL Server Audit Failed Error 

Here are some of the challenges encountered by the users when the error occurs:

• The first challenge is the loss of the audit data from the database. Once this data is lost, it can not be reconstructed and can result in creating a gap in the audit events.
• All the login events and attempts are generally recorded in the event logs. If they are not properly recorded or SQL Server audit failed to access the security log, it can reduce the visibility of any unauthorized access in the database.
• When the audits are not properly monitored, they can lead to many silent threats and failure risks in the SQL database. 

These are some of the challenges encountered by the database administrators when the error occurs. We will now take a look at the best fixes that can help users resolve the issue more effectively. 

Best Ways to Resolve SQL Server Audit Failed to Access the Security Log Error

We will now take a look at the troubleshooting methods that can help with the repair of this issue in a quick way. Beginning with the first method, let’s see how it helps the users. 

Method 1: Fix by Granting ‘Generate Security Audits’ Permission to SQL Server Account

As we discussed earlier, one of the primary causes to this error is insufficient permissions to the SQL Server Service account. Therefore, one of the fixes to this solution becomes granting permissions to the account to log audit records and events to the Windows Security Log. Here are the steps for this method:

1. The first step is to identify the SQL Server account that needs the permissions.
2. Next, grant the required ‘Generate Security Audits’ permissions to the account.
3. After that, restart the SQL Server services to verify that the changes have taken effect.
4. Lastly, verify the audit status to know if the method worked or not. 

These steps will allow users to fix the error if it occurs due to insufficient permissions in the database. Moving on to the next method, let’s see how it helps with the repair of the error.

Method 2: Use Application_Log to Record Audit Events

This is the next method that can help the users by recording the Security Audit Events in the APPLICATION_LOG in place of SECURITY_LOG. We will now take a look at the steps that will help users with the repair of this method. 

Step 1: The first step is to open SQL Server Management Studio and connect it to SQL Server instance. 

Step 2: Now, the next step is to disable the audit already existing. This can be done with the help of the given code:

Step 3: The next step is to change the Audit target to APPLICATION_LOG from SECURITY_LOG. The given command allows you to do the same.

Step 4 : Once the log has been changed, it is now time to enable the audit again by using the command below:

Step 5: After completing these steps, we will now verify the status of the audit services. Use the given command to check the status.

The status of the audit services will display as Started. This method helps with tracking and recording the Audit events in the APPLICATION_LOG without requiring additional permissions to SECURITY_LOG. Moving on to the next method, let’s now understand how a professional tool helps with resolving the issue. 

Method 3: Fix SQL Server Audit Failed to Access the Security Log Smartly

With the occurrence of this error, the major challenge encountered by the users is the inability to record the audit events that might include the changes made in the database or login attempts of SQL Server database. In such situations, we prefer using a dedicated SQL Log Analyzer tool, that allows database administrators to keep an eye on who made what changes in the database.

This method is optimal to resolve the SQL Server Audit Failed issue as the audit gap can create confusion for the users, and this tool allows users to know the changes made in the database. Let’s take a look at the working of this smart solution.

1. Install and Launch the software on your device. 
2. Choose Online or Offline mode and then add the LDF file of the database. 
3. After adding the files, preview the scanned log data in the software panel. 
4. Click on the Export tab to save the recovered data to a desired destination. 
5. Choose the format to save the recorded data as and click on the Export button. 

These steps will help with easily getting the reports of SQL Server logs for easy monitoring of the data. With the help of the smart utility, users can easily check which user updated or modified the data in the database and take actions accordingly. 

Method 4: Monitor Windows Event Log Health to Resolve the Issue

This is another troubleshooting method that will allow database administrators to know whether the issue occurred due to an issue or error in Windows Event Log. If there is an underlying issue within the log itself, it might create challenges while storing the audit events in the log. Below are the steps to check the log health easily:

1. Press Windows + R key together and type services.msc in the displayed textbox. 
2. Next, from the services list, locate Windows Event Log.
3. Then, check whether the services are running or not. If the services are stopped or not running, right-click on the Windows Event Log.
4. Click on the Start button. Next, go to Properties. 
5. From properties, go to Startup Type and Choose Automatic option. 
6. To check for errors, open the event viewer, go to system and look for log errors. 

This method helps check if the Windows Event log has any errors or has stopped due to some reasons and further restart it to fix the error in a simple way. With the help of the above-mentioned, it becomes much easier to resolve the error and further record the audit events. 

Conclusion

Through this blog, we have discussed the SQL Server audit failed to access the security log error more clearly. Along with the error, we have listed the causes and challenges for this error to help users understand the issue better. Lastly, to resolve the error, we have explained the best ways for database administrators and users. Therefore, this is a complete guide to help users with this certain error and proceed with their tasks more efficiently.