# Cis GCP Foundations 2.16

> Ensure Logging is enabled for HTTP(S) Load Balancer

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-gcp-foundations-2-16` (Agent Skill)
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- Category: DevOps & Infra
- Author: cyberstrikeus (https://skillmd.com/u/cyberstrikeus)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-gcp-foundations-2-16

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# 2.16 Ensure Logging is enabled for HTTP(S) Load Balancer (Automated)

## Profile Applicability

- Level 2

## Description

Logging enabled on a HTTPS Load Balancer will show all network traffic and its destination.

## Rationale

Logging will allow you to view HTTPS network traffic to your web applications.

## Impact

On high use systems with a high percentage sample rate, the logging file may grow to high capacity in a short amount of time. Ensure that the sample rate is set appropriately so that storage costs are not exorbitant.

## Audit

### From Google Cloud Console

1. From Google Cloud home open the Navigation Menu in the top left.
2. Under the `Networking` heading select `Network services`.
3. Select the HTTPS load-balancer you wish to audit.
4. Select `Edit` then `Backend Configuration`.
5. Select `Edit` on the corresponding backend service.
6. Ensure that `Enable Logging` is selected. Also ensure that `Sample Rate` is set to an appropriate level for your needs.

### From Google Cloud CLI

1. Run the following command:

```bash
gcloud compute backend-services describe <serviceName>
```

2. Ensure that `enable-logging` is enabled and `sample rate` is set to your desired level.

## Remediation

### From Google Cloud Console

1. From Google Cloud home open the Navigation Menu in the top left.
2. Under the `Networking` heading select `Network services`.
3. Select the HTTPS load-balancer you wish to audit.
4. Select `Edit` then `Backend Configuration`.
5. Select `Edit` on the corresponding backend service.
6. Click `Enable Logging`.
7. Set `Sample Rate` to a desired value. This is a percentage as a decimal point. 1.0 is 100%.

### From Google Cloud CLI

1. Run the following command:

```bash
gcloud compute backend-services update <serviceName> --region=REGION --enable-logging --logging-sample-rate=<percentageAsADecimal>
```

## Default Value

By default logging for https load balancing is disabled. When logging is enabled it sets the default sample rate as 1.0 or 100%. Ensure this value fits the need of your organization to avoid high storage costs.

## References

1. https://cloud.google.com/load-balancing/
2. https://cloud.google.com/load-balancing/docs/https/https-logging-monitoring#gcloud:-global-mode
3. https://cloud.google.com/sdk/gcloud/reference/compute/backend-services/

## CIS Controls

| Controls Version | Control                    | IG 1 | IG 2 | IG 3 |
| ---------------- | -------------------------- | ---- | ---- | ---- |
| v8               | 8.2 Collect Audit Logs     | x    | x    | x    |
| v7               | 6.2 Activate audit logging | x    | x    | x    |