Details

A connectivity log is a record of the SMTP connection activity of the outbound message delivery queues to the destination Mailbox server, smart host, or domain. Connectivity logging is available on Hub Transport servers and Edge Transport servers. By default, connectivity logging is disabled. If events are not recorded, it may be difficult or impossible to determine the root cause of system problems or the unauthorized activities of malicious users.

Note: Transport configuration settings apply to the organization/global level of the Exchange SMTP path. By checking and setting them at the Hub server, the setting will apply to both Hub and Edge roles.

Solution

Open the Exchange Management Shell and enter the following command:

Set-TransportService -Identity <'IdentityName'> -ConnectivityLogEnabled $true

Note: The value must be in single quotes.

Supportive Information

The following resource is also helpful.

• https://dl.dod.cyber.mil/wp-content/uploads/stigs/zip/U_MS_Exchange_2016_Y21M07_STIG.zip

This security hardening control applies to the following category of controls within NIST 800-53: Audit and Accountability.This control applies to the following type of system Windows.

References

• 800-53|AU-12a.
• CAT|II
• CCI|CCI-000169
• Rule-ID|SV-228357r612748_rule
• STIG-ID|EX16-MB-000040
• STIG-Legacy|SV-95339
• STIG-Legacy|V-80629
• Vuln-ID|V-228357

Source

• Tenable.com/audits