AuthAnvil has two core functions: identity assurance, in the form of the AuthAnvil login and tokens; and auditability and accountability in the form of the AuthAnvil logs. The AuthAnvil logs are stored in the Logs table in the Anvil database on your SQL server. This means that it is very easy to connect to the SQL Server using your favorite tool (such as SQL Reporting Services, Crystal Reports, or even Microsoft Excel) and pull reporting data from it. We’ve even put together a little script that will let you schedule daily authentication reports for your AuthAnvil server.
Today’s best practice is to keep an eye on who’s logging in via AuthAnvil, and also, who’s failing to log in.
We've had several customers who correlate their AuthAnvil logs with the billing records from their PSA tool. This way they can track when machines have been logged into by technicians, but the customer has not been billed, allowing them to catch and charge for work that would have otherwise gone unnoticed. We’ve had other customers correlate their AuthAnvil logs with the login records from servers that have suffered failures, allowing them to definitively know who was logged onto a server when it failed, so that the correct person can be held accountable for the failure.
To make sure that you always have the logs, so that you have that audit trail, make sure that you back up the AuthAnvil Database regularly, and keep the backups in a safe place. Trust but verify. You should be able to trust your staff, but you need to verify their intent. Auditing and reporting will help you do that.
You can also always extract this information yourself directly from the datastore. Back in 2010 Dana did a short video showing you how to use Microsoft Office tools to extract this sort of information in no time.
If you would like more in depth reporting that can be brought into your PSA or RMM tools, please contact your account manager about our professional service engagements. We would be happy to explore options with you.
Questions?
If you have any questions or need some help, we would be happy to assist. Open a case at help.scorpionsoft.com or send an email to support@scorpionsoft.com.