Best File Activity Monitoring Software for Secure File Tracking & Management

Irrespective of your business type and how it operates — remote, in-office, or hybrid, file activity monitoring software is crucial. The tool is specially designed to monitor and record any changes made to the files in a system. This way, businesses can detect unauthorized access and insider threats to comply with data privacy regulations. Also, they can ensure that their sensitive data is safe and secure.

All of this is possible if you have good file activity monitoring software. This guide provides a list of the top five available options and details the must-have features of these tools.

Part 1. What is File Activity Monitoring Software?

File activity monitoring software is a specialized tool designed to monitor and track the action taken on files in a server. It provides information like who accessed the system and when, where it was transferred, and other necessary details. In other words, it helps you identify potential policy violations or security threats related to sensitive data access. The following are the key purposes of file tracking software:

1 Data Security: This software monitors user activity to detect unauthorized modifications, suspicious file access patterns, or potential file transfers.

2 Incident Response: It quickly browses through the file access logs to detect any security breaches and identify the source.

3 Block File Transfer: File activity monitoring software can potentially block the transfer of sensitive files.

Part 2. Best 5 File Activity Monitoring Software

Organizations must maintain control over sensitive data and prevent any unauthorized file modifications. And you’ll need a powerful tool for that. Following is the list of the top five file activity monitoring software tools:

FamiGuard Monisen

FamiGuard Monisen is a major player in the computer monitoring software space, with a comprehensive suite of features that ensure your sensitive data isn’t compromised. With real-time and behavioral alerts, businesses can monitor file-related activities and take quick actions like blocking the transfer or enforcing company policies.

FamiGuard Monisen’s robust file activity monitoring capabilities differentiate it from other players in the market. It provides a detailed trail of files to the user, such as when it was transferred and by whom, enabling businesses to respond to potential security incidents.

Key Monitoring Features

1Monitor File Activity: Employers can use the comprehensive tool to monitor local file activities, including access, modification, and deletion. It ensures that sensitive files are handled well and prevents any unauthorized data transfer or manipulation.

2Monitor USB Device Usage: FamiGuard Monisen can record and display the data exchanged between a USB and the computer plugged in. It shows detailed information about the source, transferred files, and even deleted files.

3Monitor Screen Activity: Employers can use this feature to track their employees' work activities, such as the files they assessed, modified, or transferred.

4Print Activity: FamiGuard Monisen also monitors and records printing activities to prevent unauthorized document distribution.

Pricing

• One-month plan: $49.99
• Three-month plan: $79.99
• One-year plan: $129.99

Shortage

Although FamiGuard Monisen is a great software for monitoring file activities, it can only be installed on Windows.

Teramind

Teramind is good software with a tracking functionality to capture the user’s file-related activities. It can detect most associated activities, such as modification, deletion, and transfer. You can see the detailed audit trail of file movements so that they can track and respond accordingly.

Key Features

1File Activity Tracking: Teramind's file activity monitoring capabilities provide employers with a detailed report on file-related actions, including creation, access, deletion, modification, or write operations.

2File Attachment Monitoring: Teramind also provides real-time notifications when a file is attached to an email or uploaded on the cloud.

3Live Tracking: The platform tracks and records an employee's screen throughout working hours so you can precisely track a file’s journey.

Pricing

• Starter: $15 per user per month
• UAM: $30 per user per month
• DLP: $35 per user per month
• Enterprise: Custom pricing

Shortages

1Data on granular actions like naming files or syncing with third-party apps might not be available.

2Teramind might not be able to track all file types. Check its product documentation to ensure it can track the files you use.

Imperva

Imperva is a cybersecurity business offering data security and protection solutions, including monitoring file activity and user behavior analysis. Its primary motive is to secure the databases across local, cloud, or hybrid environments. Businesses can use automation to manage data risks and ensure compliance.

Key Features

1File Integrity Monitoring: Unlike the top recommendations, Imperva investigates and reports any changes in sensitive files. It detects accidental modifications and malicious activity and verifies system updates.

2User Behavior Analytics: Imperva's user behavior analytics detect any non-compliant, suspicious, or risky access behavior and provide alerts. Businesses can then quickly act on these alerts to resolve the issue.

Pricing

Imperva offers two data protection solutions: data discovery and classification and Data 360. Each has a different set of features and capabilities. Select which solution best suits your business and contact Imperva for a custom quote.

Drawbacks

1The initial setup and configuration of Imperva’s file activity monitoring software can be complex and require a detailed understanding of the tool.

2The user interface and reporting features of the tool can see an improvement. 

ManageEngine

ManageEngine is an IT security solutions provider that offers three tools to monitor file activities in a server: Endpoint DLP Plus, ADAudit Plus, and DataSecurity Plus.

1ADAudit Plus is a comprehensive security solution for Windows and Active Directory (AD) environments. It monitors and reports AD changes, account lockouts, user logon events, and access permissions.

2Endpoint DLP Plus secures all the data stored in your server and prevents any data exposure across any platform.

3 DataSecurity Plus is a file server auditing solution that allows businesses to track file activities, such as creation, modification, or deletion.

Key Features

1File Monitoring: The software monitors your directory in real time to identify any potential file-related activities such as creation, deletion, or modification.

2Active Directory Monitoring: ManageEngine audits all the changes made to Active Directory (AD), including groups, computers, users, etc.

Pricing

1ADAudit Plus: $595 per year for two domain controllers

2DataSecurity Plus: $745 annually

3 EndPoint DLP Plus: Contact support for a custom quote

Drawbacks

1The solution is too expensive, making it suitable only for large enterprises.

2While you can use it to detect user activities and anomalies, advanced user analytics are missing.

SolarWinds

SolarWinds is one of your security companions that monitors file changes such as modification, deletion, or creation and server performance. The best part about the tool is that it automatically detects your environment upon installation and monitors the server for any potential changes.

Key Features

1File Integrity Monitoring: It audits and detects any modifications made in the local files to alert the owner. The generated reports provide insights into potential threats like malware and improve security.

2File Activity Monitoring: SolarWinds file activity monitoring provides detailed reports on file modifications so you can track any unwanted changes.

Pricing

SolarWinds is designed to offer flexibility and has multiple plans depending on the features on offer:

• Application Observability: $27.50 per application
• Network and Infrastructure Observability: $12.00 per network device or host
• Log Observability: $5.00 per GB per month
• Database Observability: $70.00 per database

Drawbacks

1Although a comprehensive file activity monitoring tool, SolarWinds is complex, especially for new users.

2The licensing costs of the software can be expensive, especially for small and medium businesses.

Part 3. Features of File Activity Monitoring Software

Regardless of the organization's size, having software to monitor file transfer activity is crucial. It protects your files containing sensitive information from getting exposed, thereby maintaining your organizational reputation. Here are the features you must look for in a monitoring software:

Real-time File Activity Monitoring

The file activity monitoring software you select must be able to monitor the server for suspicious activity and provide alerts in real-time. When the target computer engages in any flagged activity, these alerts are typically sent via SMS, email, or dashboards. This helps the IT teams respond quickly to the instance and minimize potential damage.

File Transfer Monitoring

Your software must have advanced analytics to monitor file transfers within the server and send alerts immediately. These analytics also look for unexpected file modifications or unusual access patterns. The tool highlights these deviations and helps businesses identify and investigate potential security breaches.

Reporting and Alerts

The ability to generate a comprehensive report on file activity, changes, and access is crucial for auditing. That is not it. It helps the business to ensure that they adhere to the regulatory requirements and guidelines.

Conclusion

File activity monitoring software is a great solution for enterprises that want to detect insider threats, keep their files safe, enhance data security, and adhere to regulatory compliance. To select the best tool, you must look into its available features, pricing, and potential downsides.

Amongst the tools discussed, FamiGuard Monisen stands out with its comprehensive file-tracking capabilities, USB data monitoring, print activity monitoring, and others. So, install and try it now.

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