# CIS Ubuntu 14.04 LTS - 4.1.2 Ensure auditd service is enabled

> Enable the auditd daemon to record system events for security monitoring

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-4-1-2-ensure-auditd-service-is-enabled` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-4-1-2-ensure-auditd-service-is-enabled`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-4-1-2-ensure-auditd-service-is-enabled/raw
- Safety review: PASS (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Security
- Author: cyberstrikeus (https://skillmd.com/u/cyberstrikeus)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-4-1-2-ensure-auditd-service-is-enabled

---


# 4.1.2 Ensure auditd service is enabled (Scored)

## Profile Applicability

- Level 2 - Server
- Level 2 - Workstation

## Description

Turn on the `auditd` daemon to record system events.

## Rationale

The capturing of system events provides system administrators with information to allow them to determine if unauthorized access to their system is occurring.

## Audit Procedure

Run the following to ensure proper start links for `auditd` exist in `/etc/rc*.d`:

```bash
ls /etc/rc*.d/S*auditd
```

## Expected Result

```
/etc/rc2.d/S37auditd  /etc/rc3.d/S37auditd  /etc/rc4.d/S37auditd
/etc/rc5.d/S37auditd
```

Start links should exist for run levels 2, 3, 4, and 5.

## Remediation

Run the following command to enable `auditd`:

```bash
update-rc.d auditd enable
```

## Default Value

Not enabled by default on all installations.

## References

1. CIS Controls v6.1 - 6.2 Ensure Audit Log Settings Support Appropriate Log Entry Formatting

## Profile

- Level 2 - Server
- Level 2 - Workstation