What is the minimum retention period for audit logs?

The minimum retention period for audit logs, according to PCI DSS requirements, is indeed 1 year. This duration is specified to ensure that organizations maintain sufficient records for investigations and to provide visibility into security-related events. Retaining logs for at least a year allows for effective monitoring and analysis of security incidents, which is essential for compliance and safeguarding cardholder data.

This time frame also supports the need to establish a history of activities that can be assessed to detect anomalous behavior, understand incidents after they occur, and provide a basis for forensic analysis when necessary. The requirement is based on the understanding that cyber threats can take time to manifest and identifying potential breaches often requires access to historical data.

Longer retention periods can be beneficial, but the minimum standard established by PCI DSS is 1 year, reflecting the balance between database size, accessibility, and overall security needs.