An audit trail is a record of all the events that have occurred within a system or process. It is a chronological sequence of activities that provides a complete history of transactions, changes, and updates. The purpose of an audit trail is to ensure transparency, accountability, and accuracy in business operations. It allows organizations to track and monitor the flow of data, identify errors, and detect fraudulent activities. An audit trail provides a detailed account of who did what, when, and why, which is essential for compliance, risk management, and decision-making. It also helps in identifying areas of improvement and optimizing business processes. An effective audit trail should be secure, tamper-proof, and easily accessible. It should be able to provide a complete picture of the entire lifecycle of a transaction or process, from initiation to completion. An audit trail is a critical component of any business system, and it is essential for organizations to implement robust audit trail mechanisms to ensure the integrity and reliability of their operations.
