Audit Log Retention Policy Template for Belgium

The Audit Log Retention Policy is essential for organizations operating in Belgium to maintain compliance with both national and EU regulatory requirements. This document becomes necessary when organizations need to establish standardized practices for managing audit logs generated by their systems, applications, and network devices. The policy addresses the requirements set forth by Belgian law, including the Belgian Companies Code, Electronic Communications Act, and GDPR compliance requirements. It provides comprehensive guidance on retention periods, security measures, and access controls for audit logs, which serve as critical records for security monitoring, incident investigation, and regulatory compliance. The policy is particularly important given Belgium's strict data protection regime and its position as a key EU member state, requiring organizations to maintain detailed audit trails while respecting data protection principles.

1. Purpose and Scope: Defines the objective of the policy and its application scope within the organization

2. Policy Statement: High-level statement of the organization's commitment to maintaining audit logs and their proper retention

3. Definitions: Clear definitions of technical terms, types of audit logs, and key concepts used throughout the policy

4. Roles and Responsibilities: Defines who is responsible for implementing, maintaining, and overseeing the audit log retention process

5. Types of Audit Logs: Categorization and description of different audit logs maintained by the organization

6. Retention Periods: Specific retention timeframes for different types of audit logs, aligned with legal requirements

7. Storage and Security Requirements: Requirements for secure storage, protection, and maintenance of audit logs

8. Access Control: Procedures and restrictions for accessing audit logs

9. Disposal and Deletion: Procedures for secure disposal or deletion of audit logs after retention period expires

10. Compliance and Monitoring: Processes for ensuring compliance with the policy and monitoring its effectiveness

11. Review and Updates: Schedule and process for reviewing and updating the policy