Audit directory service access

This security setting determines whether the OS audits user attempts to access Active Directory objects. Audit is only generated for objects that have system access control lists (SACL) specified, and only if the type of access requested (such as Write, Read, or Modify) and the account making the request match the settings in the SACL.

The administrator can specify whether to audit only successes, only failures, both successes and failures, or to not audit these events at all (i.e. neither successes nor failures).

If Success auditing is enabled, an audit entry is generated each time any account successfully accesses a Directory object that has a matching SACL specified.

If Failure auditing is enabled, an audit entry is generated each time any user unsuccessfully attempts to access a Directory object that has a matching SACL specified.

Policy path: 

Computer Configuration\Windows Settings\Local Policies\Audit Policy

Default: 

Success on domain controllers. Undefined for a member computer.

Supported on: 

At least Windows XP SP2, Windows Server 2003

Registry settings: 

Audit Policy security settings are not registry keys.

Reboot required: 

No

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