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The Audit Log Retention Policy is a critical governance document designed to ensure organizations effectively manage their audit logs in compliance with South African legislative requirements. This policy becomes necessary when organizations need to establish standardized practices for maintaining digital records of system activities, security events, and user actions. It provides detailed guidance on retention periods, storage requirements, and security measures, incorporating requirements from POPIA, ECTA, and other relevant South African regulations. The policy is particularly important for organizations that handle sensitive data, operate in regulated industries, or need to maintain audit trails for compliance and security purposes. It helps organizations demonstrate compliance with legal obligations while ensuring they have access to necessary historical data for investigations, audits, and operational analysis.

1. Purpose and Scope: Defines the objective of the policy and its applicability across the organization

2. Definitions: Defines key terms used throughout the policy including 'audit logs', 'retention period', 'secure storage', etc.

3. Legal and Regulatory Framework: Outlines the relevant South African legislation and regulations that govern audit log retention

4. Audit Log Categories: Defines different types of audit logs and their classification

5. Retention Requirements: Specifies the mandatory retention periods for different types of audit logs

6. Storage and Security Requirements: Details the requirements for secure storage, backup, and protection of audit logs

7. Roles and Responsibilities: Defines who is responsible for implementing, maintaining, and monitoring the policy

8. Access Control: Specifies who can access audit logs and under what circumstances

9. Disposal and Destruction: Outlines procedures for secure disposal of audit logs after retention period expires

10. Policy Compliance and Enforcement: Details how compliance with the policy will be monitored and enforced