Session logging is the recording of a remote user’s activity during a login session, such as connection times, commands, file transfers, and administrative actions. In cyber security, it provides an audit trail that shows who accessed a system, what they touched, and when they did it.
It matters because remote access is often the easiest path into sensitive environments, including OT networks. If a contractor account, VPN session, or remote desktop connection is abused, session logs can help defenders detect unauthorized changes, reconstruct the sequence of actions, and support incident response. They also create accountability by making privileged work reviewable after the fact. In a strong design, session logging is paired with authentication, segmentation, and least privilege so that access is not only controlled but also observable.