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Servers – Ensure Journald Compression is Configured

Secure Configuration Checks > Server

This check ensures that journald compression is properly configured on the server.

Compressing large log files helps prevent excessive disk usage and ensures logs remain manageable.

Check Details

  • Resource: Server
  • Check: Ensure journald is configured to compress large log files
  • Risk: Uncompressed logs may fill disk space quickly and impact system availability.

Remediation Steps

  1. Open a terminal session with root or sudo privileges.
  2. Verify current journald compression setting:

    grep -e Compress /etc/systemd/journald.conf
    
  3. Ensure the output shows Compress=yes.
  4. Edit the journald configuration file:

    sudo nano /etc/systemd/journald.conf
    
  5. Add or update the following line:

    Compress=yes
    
  6. Save the file and exit.
  7. Reload journald configuration:

    sudo systemctl force-reload systemd-journald
    
  8. Re-run the audit command to confirm the configuration.

Updated on 06 March, 2026