Here’s a comprehensive explanation of the differences between Azure Activity Log, Azure Diagnostics Logs, and Azure Metrics for Azure SQL Database auditing, with examples and insights:

Azure Activity Log

• Scope: Covers subscription-wide management events, focusing on who did what, when, and where.
• Examples:
  • “User X created a new SQL database.”
  • “User Y changed the database pricing tier.”
  • “A firewall rule was modified.”
• Key Uses:
  • Security auditing
  • Compliance tracking
  • Troubleshooting configuration changes

Azure Diagnostics Logs

• Scope: Provides detailed insights into resource-specific operations and health.
• Examples:
  • “User Z executed a SELECT query on table ‘Customers’.”
  • “A failed login attempt occurred.”
  • “Database backup completed successfully.”
• Key Uses:
  • Performance analysis
  • Troubleshooting application issues
  • Identifying security threats

Azure Metrics

• Focus: Collects numerical measurements of resource performance and usage.
• Examples:
  • CPU utilization
  • Database DTU consumption
  • Storage usage
  • Active connections
• Key Uses:
  • Monitoring resource health
  • Identifying performance bottlenecks
  • Setting alerts for potential issues

Key Differences Summary

Integrating for SQL Database Auditing

• Activity Log: Audits management actions like database creation, deletion, configuration changes.
• Diagnostics Logs: Track database events like logins, queries, stored procedure executions, errors.
• Metrics: Monitor database performance (CPU, DTU, storage), identify potential issues, set alerts.

Effective Auditing Strategies

• Use Activity Log for broad oversight of management actions.
• Use Diagnostics Logs for granular insights into database events and troubleshooting.
• Use Metrics to track performance, set alerts, and proactively address issues.
• Combine all three for a comprehensive auditing solution.

Different types of Logs available for Azure SQL database auditing

Azure Activity Log

• Database creation, deletion, or modification:
  • “User X created a new SQL database named ‘SalesDB’.”
  • “User Y deleted the database ‘MarketingDB’.”
  • “The pricing tier of database ‘InventoryDB’ was changed from S1 to S2.”
• Firewall rule changes:
  • “A firewall rule was added to allow access from a specific IP address.”
  • “A firewall rule was removed to restrict access.”
• Server configuration changes:
  • “The server’s geo-replication settings were modified.”
  • “The database transparent data encryption (TDE) setting was enabled.”

Azure Diagnostics Logs

• Database queries:
  • “User Z executed a SELECT query on table ‘Customers’.”
  • “A long-running UPDATE query was performed.”
• Login attempts (successful and failed):
  • “A successful login occurred for user ‘Admin’.”
  • “A failed login attempt was made with an invalid password.”
• Stored procedure executions:
  • “The stored procedure ‘usp_GetOrderDetails’ was executed.”
• Errors and warnings:
  • “A deadlock error occurred.”
  • “A data truncation warning was generated.”
• Database backup and restore operations:
  • “A full database backup completed successfully.”
  • “A database was restored from a backup.”