The Top 7 File Monitoring Software

FileVantage is a file integrity management solution that monitors changes to critical files and minimizes alert fatigue, helping organizations to comply with regulatory standards such as PCI that require monitoring.

Who it’s for: Ideal for security operations teams in enterprises requiring robust file monitoring capabilities.

Benefits: FileVantage offers centralized visibility and real-time tracking of changes to critical files, folders, and registries, ensuring better control and compliance with regulatory standards.

• Supports pre-built policies and the creation of new ones for critical files, folders, registries, users, and processes.
• Enables granular policy controls, including inclusions/exclusions and setting severity levels.
• Quickly targets and connects file, folder, and registry changes to active detections for greater context.
• Incorporates added threat intelligence and detection data for improved visibility and context around changes.

The bottom line: FileVantage provides a comprehensive file integrity management and real-time monitoring, making it an essential tool for security operations teams tasked with maintaining regulatory compliance and reducing alert fatigue.

• Founded in 2011, CrowdStrike specializes in cybersecurity and offers advanced security solutions. A faulty CrowdStrike update was responsible for widespread outage and disruption to Microsoft systems.

FileAudit is a file monitoring and auditing tool designed for Windows file servers and cloud storage systems.

Who it’s for: Ideal for a wide range of organizations, from SMBs to large enterprises, in need of real-time file access tracking and auditing capabilities.

Benefits: FileAudit provides transparent and comprehensive auditing for file access, making it a strong choice for ensuring data integrity and security.

• Monitors access and usage of files and folders in real time across Windows servers and various cloud storage platforms, recording IP addresses, and machine names.
• Allows for configuring custom alerts and triggered responses for file events such as denied access, file deletion, and multiple rapid access attempts.
• Offers a centralized, searchable audit trail for files stored across all sources, with options to schedule detailed reports.
• Supports a wide range of cloud storage platforms, including OneDrive, SharePoint Online, Google Drive, Dropbox, and Box.

The bottom line: FileAudit stands out for its non-intrusive, agentless design and its ability to track and audit file changes across multiple sources in real time. This makes it a reliable solution for organizations that need robust file monitoring and compliance capabilities.

• Founded in 2000 and based in Biarritz, France, IS Decisions supports over 1,000 organizations.

ManageEngine ADAudit Plus provides comprehensive auditing and monitoring for Active Directory, file servers, and NAS devices.

Who it’s for: This platform is ideal for enterprises seeking robust file and folder auditing capabilities in their IT infrastructure.

Benefits: ManageEngine ADAudit Plus excels in real-time tracking and management of file activities across multiple systems. It ensures organizations stay ahead of potential security issues with advanced auditing features.

• Track and manage unintended or failed access attempts such as read, write, or delete, before they escalate into critical security issues.
• Track and report on owner and permission changes in folders.
• Set up custom reports and alerts to monitor specific files and folders, suspicious users, or even certain critical activity types.
• Advanced behavior analytics can detect and notify administrators of abnormal file actions or critical changes.

The bottom line: ManageEngine ADAudit Plus is a high-performing auditing tool designed to enhance security and compliance by providing in-depth visibility into file and folder activities. Its real-time monitoring and advanced behavior analytics make it indispensable for maintaining IT security.

• ManageEngine is a part of Zoho Corporation, founded in 1996, and trusted by 9 out of 10 Fortune 100 companies.

Netwrix Auditor is an IT auditing and reporting tool designed to track changes across various systems and file servers.

Who it’s for: Industries such as manufacturing, financial services, and insurance.

Benefits: Netwrix Auditor provides visibility into file changes, ensuring critical files remain secure and compliance is maintained.

• Its agentless deployment can be set up either as an on-premises physical appliance or a virtual appliance, making installation flexible.
• It tracks changes to permissions and monitors activities around vital files to help identify unauthorized modifications.
• The tool reports on both successful and unsuccessful file access attempts across multiple file servers, enhancing oversight.
• It alerts security teams to any suspicious activity, such as multiple file modifications or failed access attempts within a short timeframe.

The bottom line: Netwrix Auditor stands out for its robust auditing capabilities, helping organizations identify data leaks, remain compliant, and secure sensitive information by monitoring file activities comprehensively.

• Netwrix was founded in 2006 and provides IT auditing solutions, serving diverse clients across multiple industries.

OSSEC is an open-source, host-based intrusion detection system that offers comprehensive file and registry monitoring and integrity checking.

Who it’s for: OSSEC is suitable for a wide range of users, from SMBs to large enterprises and government agencies.

Benefits: OSSEC excels at detecting and preventing unauthorized activities on host systems. It runs seamlessly on most operating systems including Windows, Mac, and Linux.

• Provides robust application and system-level auditing, ensuring compliance with standards like PCI-DSS and CIS benchmarks.
• Detects changes to both files and Windows registry settings in real-time, enhancing system security.
• Maintains a forensic copy of data as it changes over time, aiding in detailed analysis.
• Conducts a comprehensive system inventory, tracking files, software, hardware, network services, and listeners on the machine.
• Allows for extended functionality through third-party plugins.

The bottom line: OSSEC stands out for its real-time monitoring capabilities and extensive auditing features, making it a valuable tool for maintaining host system integrity. Its open-source nature coupled with broad OS compatibility offers flexibility and robust security for organizations of all sizes.

• Founded in 2004, OSSEC has grown as a reliable open-source security solution trusted by numerous clients worldwide.

SolarWinds Server & Application Monitor is a comprehensive file server monitoring tool that tracks both file changes and server performance. It automatically discovers your environment upon installation, enabling monitoring within an hour, and supports on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments.

Who it’s for: Ideal for small businesses, enterprises, educational institutions, and public sector organizations.

Benefits: SolarWinds Server & Application Monitor provides real-time insights and performance tracking across diverse environments.

• Integrates with a wide variety of third-party applications, enhancing functionality and ease of use.
• Tracks file characteristics and changes in real time, ensuring you always have current information.
• Offers over 1,200 customizable monitoring templates out of the box, tailored to different application, system, and infrastructure needs.
• Prevents alert fatigue by allowing admins to set custom alert thresholds, ensuring you only receive the alerts that you need to know about.

The bottom line: SolarWinds Server & Application Monitor provides robust monitoring capabilities with real-time updates and a high level of customizability. Its quick installation and broad compatibility make it a strong choice for various organizations looking to enhance their IT infrastructure monitoring.

• Founded in 1999, SolarWinds is a leading provider of IT management software for businesses of all sizes.

Tripwire Enterprise is a file integrity monitoring solution designed to enhance security and compliance auditing with automated remediation capabilities. The solution supports on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments, offering flexibility across diverse IT infrastructures.

Who it’s for: Best suited for large enterprise organizations.

Benefits: Tripwire Enterprise excels in providing a robust and streamlined approach to file integrity monitoring, integrating seamlessly with existing IT security tools.

• It integrates with ticketing systems, security configuration management, log management, and SIEM tools like Splunk, ServiceNow, and Jira.
• It enables centralized control of configurations, maintaining uniform settings across both physical and virtual environments.
• Continuously captures detailed real-time information on who made what changes and when, ensuring accountability and traceability.
• Provides comprehensive IT infrastructure baselines and real-time change detection, with built-in intelligence to determine the impact of changes.

The bottom line: Tripwire Enterprise stands out for its extensive integrations, flexible environment support, and its ability to maintain centralized control over configurations. The automated features and real-time monitoring make it an essential tool for maintaining compliance and security within large enterprise IT infrastructures.

• Founded in 1997, Fortra offers comprehensive IT solutions, focusing on enhancing security and compliance for numerous clients worldwide.