# CIS Ubuntu 14.04 LTS - 4.2.3 Ensure rsyslog or syslog-ng is installed

> Ensure either rsyslog or syslog-ng is installed for system logging

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-4-2-3-ensure-rsyslog-or-syslog-ng-is-in` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-4-2-3-ensure-rsyslog-or-syslog-ng-is-in`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-4-2-3-ensure-rsyslog-or-syslog-ng-is-in/raw
- Safety review: PASS (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: cyberstrikeus (https://skillmd.com/u/cyberstrikeus)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-4-2-3-ensure-rsyslog-or-syslog-ng-is-in

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# 4.2.3 Ensure rsyslog or syslog-ng is installed (Scored)

## Profile Applicability

- Level 1 - Server
- Level 1 - Workstation

## Description

The `rsyslog` and `syslog-ng` software are recommended replacements to the original `syslogd` daemon which provide improvements over `syslogd`, such as connection-oriented (i.e. TCP) transmission of logs, the option to log to database formats, and the encryption of log data en route to a central logging server.

## Rationale

The security enhancements of `rsyslog` and `syslog-ng` such as connection-oriented (i.e. TCP) transmission of logs, the option to log to database formats, and the encryption of log data en route to a central logging server) justify installing and configuring the package.

## Audit Procedure

Verify either rsyslog or syslog-ng is installed. Depending on the package management in use one of the following command groups may provide the needed information:

```bash
dpkg -s rsyslog
dpkg -s syslog-ng
```

## Expected Result

One of the packages should show as installed (`Status: install ok installed`).

## Remediation

Install rsyslog or `syslog-ng` using one of the following commands:

```bash
apt-get install rsyslog
apt-get install syslog-ng
```

## Default Value

rsyslog is typically installed by default on Ubuntu 14.04.

## References

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

## Profile

- Level 1 - Server
- Level 1 - Workstation