OpenBSM

OpenBSM (Open Basic Security Module) is an open-source implementation of the Basic Security Module (BSM) audit trail format and API as defined by the Sun Microsystems's Trusted Solaris operating system. It provides a standardized method for auditing security-relevant events within an operating system and recording them in a consistent, portable format. This allows for centralized analysis and reporting of security events across different systems.

The primary function of OpenBSM is to provide a kernel-level auditing framework. When enabled, it monitors system calls and other security-relevant events, recording them in a structured log format. These logs can then be processed by audit analysis tools for security monitoring, intrusion detection, and compliance reporting.

Key components of OpenBSM typically include:

• Kernel Support: The operating system kernel must include support for generating BSM audit records.
• Audit Libraries: User-space libraries provide functions for interacting with the kernel's audit subsystem and for reading and writing BSM audit files.
• Audit Configuration: Configuration files specify which events should be audited and how the audit system should behave.
• Audit Tools: Utilities for managing, analyzing, and reporting on audit logs.

OpenBSM aims to provide a platform-independent audit trail format, allowing audit logs to be exchanged and analyzed across different operating systems that implement the BSM standard. It offers features such as user authentication tracking, file access monitoring, and system call auditing. OpenBSM is commonly used in environments where security auditing and compliance are critical requirements. Its design promotes detailed logging and facilitates the tracking of user activities and system events, contributing to a more secure and auditable computing environment.