How to Log the Magento 2 Admin Activity Logs

Managing an online store efficiently requires not only excellent user experience for customers but also precise control and monitoring of activities in the backend. Magento 2 provides extensive functionality, but it lacks a native tool to track and record the actions performed by admin users. The Magento 2 admin activity log plays a critical role in maintaining accountability and security in the admin panel. In this blog, we’ll guide you through the process of implementing the Magento admin log using features from the Folio3 Admin Activity Logs extension to enhance backend transparency and control.

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What is the Magento 2 Admin Activity Log?

The Magento 2 admin activity log refers to a system that tracks and logs every action performed by admin users within the backend. This can include actions such as product edits, customer updates, changes to orders, and alterations in store configurations. Tracking these actions allows store owners to monitor who made changes, when they were made, and what exactly was changed, ensuring accountability and security.

Why Do You Need a Magento Admin Log?

Maintaining a Magento admin log is critical for several reasons, including:

1. Security Monitoring: Logs help in identifying unauthorized access or suspicious activities within the admin panel, ensuring that your store is protected from potential security threats.

2. Team Accountability: With multiple team members managing the backend, knowing who made specific changes is important for both performance management and troubleshooting.

3. Error Tracking and Troubleshooting: In case of configuration errors or unexpected changes, the Magento 2 admin activity log provides a historical record of actions, helping you trace and resolve the issue quickly.

4. Compliance: Depending on your business location, you may need to keep a detailed activity log to comply with data security regulations such as GDPR or CCPA.

Key Features of the Folio3 Admin Activity Logs Extension

To implement a robust Magento 2 admin activity log, the Folio3 Admin Activity Logs extension is a perfect fit. Here are some key features that it offers:

1. Comprehensive Admin Action Tracking

The extension tracks all key activities within the Magento backend. This includes:

– Product updates: Changes to product details, prices, and stock levels.

– Customer actions: Adding, editing, or deleting customer information.

– Order management: Changes to order status, order creation, or deletion.

– System configurations: Updates to system settings, including payment gateways, tax rules, and shipping methods.

By using this feature, you can easily keep track of the critical actions your admin users are performing within the store.

2. Detailed Activity Reports

The Folio3 Admin Activity Logs extension provides detailed reports on every action performed in the backend. Each log entry includes the following information:

– Admin user details: Identifies the specific admin user who performed the action.

– Action type: Specifies whether the action was a create, update, or delete operation.

– Date and time: Logs the exact time when the action was performed.

– Changed entities: Provides details of the items (products, orders, etc.) that were affected by the action.

This level of detail ensures that you have full visibility into every aspect of your store’s backend operations.

3. Real-Time Monitoring

The extension allows for real-time monitoring of all admin activities. If you’re running a busy store with multiple admins working simultaneously, it becomes essential to see actions as they occur. This feature helps in identifying and responding to any suspicious activity immediately.

4. Role-Based Access Control

Another important feature of the Magento admin log is that it respects role-based access control. You can specify which admin roles have access to the logs and which do not, ensuring that sensitive information about admin activities is only available to authorized personnel. This provides an additional layer of security by limiting who can view and manage the logs.

5. Customizable Log Retention

Log retention is critical for maintaining performance and complying with regulations. The Folio3 extension allows you to configure how long the logs are stored before they are archived or deleted. By setting up custom retention periods, you can manage storage usage while still keeping essential records for compliance purposes.

6. Automated Alerts

The extension allows store owners to set up automated email alerts for specific activities or actions, such as changes to product pricing, customer deletions, or alterations to core configurations. This feature is particularly useful for identifying and reacting to high-risk actions in real-time.

For example, if a payment configuration is changed by an admin, the system will immediately send an alert to the store owner, helping to identify and prevent potential security breaches.

7. One-Click Log Export

In scenarios where you need to audit admin actions or comply with legal requirements, the extension allows for easy export of admin activity logs. You can export the data in CSV format with a single click, providing a convenient way to share logs with auditors or store them externally for future reference.

How to Install and Configure Magento 2 Admin Activity Log

Step 1: Install the Folio3 Admin Activity Logs Extension

You can install the Folio3 Admin Activity Logs extension either through the Magento Marketplace or via Composer. Here are the steps:

Installing via Composer:

1. Access your server via SSH.

Run the following command to install the extension:
bash

Copy code

composer require folio3/module-admin-activity-logs

2. Once the installation is complete, enable the extension by running:
bash

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bin/magento module:enable Folio3_AdminActivityLogs

bin/magento setup:upgrade

bin/magento cache:flush

Step 2: Configure the Extension

After installation, you can configure the extension in the Magento admin panel:

1. Log in to your Magento backend.

2. Navigate to Stores > Configuration > Folio3 > Admin Activity Logs.

3. Configure the following settings:

– Enable/disable specific actions to log (e.g., product, customer, or order changes).

– Set log retention periods.

– Set up automated email alerts for sensitive actions.

– Specify which admin roles can view the logs.

Step 3: View Admin Activity Logs

To access the Magento 2 admin activity log:

1. Go to Reports > Admin Activity Logs.

2. Here, you will see a detailed log of all actions performed by admin users, including the user, action type, affected entity, and timestamp.

Step 4: Automate Log Reviews

For security and performance reasons, it is important to regularly review your Magento admin log. Set up periodic log reviews to identify potential issues, such as unauthorized access or configuration errors. You can also export the logs for external review or storage.

Best Practices for Managing Magento Admin Logs

1. Regular Log Reviews

Schedule regular reviews of the admin logs to ensure that you are aware of any suspicious or unauthorized actions. This can prevent minor issues from becoming major security threats.

2. Limit Admin Access

Use role-based access control to limit admin privileges. Not all admin users need access to sensitive configurations or the ability to perform critical actions. By restricting access, you reduce the risk of errors or malicious activities.

3. Set Up Automated Alerts

Configure email alerts for sensitive actions, such as changes to payment gateways or customer data. This allows you to act quickly if something suspicious happens in your store.

4. Archive Old Logs

To maintain system performance, archive old logs regularly. Set retention periods based on your store’s needs and compliance requirements.

Conclusion

Implementing the Magento 2 admin activity log with the help of the Folio3 Admin Activity Logs extension is an essential step in maintaining the security and accountability of your store. By tracking admin actions, you can prevent unauthorized changes, troubleshoot issues, and ensure your store runs smoothly.

With features like detailed action tracking, automated alerts, and role-based access, the Folio3 Admin Activity Logs extension provides a comprehensive solution to managing admin activities in Magento 2.

Read Also: How to Get Product by ID in Magento 2?