Event ID 4774 is logged when a user account is created in Active Directory. When users are authenticated, their Windows account is mapped to the client certificate and the event is logged as 4774.
Event ID 4774
| Event ID | 4774 |
| Category | Account Logon |
| Sub category | Credential Validation |
| Description | An account was mapped for logon |
This log data gives the following information:
- Authentication Package
- Account UPN
- Mapped Name
Why Event ID 4774 needs to be Monitored
Event ID 4774 in the Windows operating system corresponds to an “An account was mapped for logon” event. This event is important for monitoring and security purposes for several reasons:
Account Mapping: This event indicates when a user account is mapped for logon. Account mapping typically involves associating a user account with a specific security identifier (SID) or logon session ID. Monitoring these mappings helps administrators understand which accounts are being used to access resources or systems.
Detection of Suspicious Activity: Monitoring Event ID 4774 can help detect suspicious activity related to account logons. For example, unexpected or unauthorized account mappings could indicate potential security breaches or unauthorized access attempts. By monitoring these events, administrators can identify and respond to security incidents in a timely manner.
Compliance and Auditing: Many regulatory standards and compliance requirements mandate monitoring and auditing of account logon activities. By monitoring Event ID 4774, organizations can demonstrate compliance with these requirements and maintain a record of account mapping events for auditing purposes.
User Behavior Analysis: Analyzing account mapping events can provide insights into user behavior and access patterns. Administrators can identify patterns of legitimate user activity as well as anomalous or suspicious behavior that may require further investigation.
Security Incident Response: In the event of a security incident or data breach, having a record of account mapping events can be valuable for forensic analysis and incident response. Security teams can trace the actions of compromised accounts or unauthorized users by examining the account mapping events logged on the system.
Overall, monitoring Event ID 4774 is essential for maintaining security, compliance, and accountability within an organization’s IT infrastructure. It helps detect and respond to security threats, ensures compliance with regulatory requirements, and enables effective incident response and forensic analysis.
Conclusion
It is essential for an administrator to have complete visibility over what is happening on their Active Directory to ensure that any suspicious activity relating to potential security threats is identified and responded to immediately.
The Lepide Active Directory auditing tool enables effective monitoring, auditing, and reporting on all Active Directory states and changes including account logon events. Account logon pre-configured reports help identify malicious users attempting to logon to machines that require elevated privileges.
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