ElasticWoody Walton11 min readintermediate
CISA's Logging Reference Architecture for OMB M-26-14: What federal agencies should do next
Summary
CISA’s Logging Reference Architecture translates OMB M‑26‑14 requirements into eight concrete shifts, from searchable storage tiers to schema‑first design and continuous validation. Agencies should use Elastic’s tools to build a heterogeneous, schema‑first logging architecture and file a plan by 18 Nov 2026 to meet the mandated maturity milestones.
- Maintain six months of actively searchable log data at all maturity levels and separate searchable, retrievable, and evidentiary storage tiers.
- Adopt a schema‑first approach using Elastic Common Schema to ensure every record includes the six required fields for cross‑source correlation.
- Select a heterogeneous architecture pattern (e.g., Repository First, Dual Replication) instead of a monolithic SIEM to meet scalability and cost goals.
- Implement continuous readiness metrics and validation tests (synthetic, replay, threat emulation) to prove logging pipelines work end‑to‑end.
Federal agencies must comply with CISA’s new Logging Reference Architecture under OMB M‑26‑14; following these recommendations lets them meet upcoming maturity deadlines and build a reliable, searchable logging capability.
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