Why has Panther's log ingestion rate dropped by 30% for AWS CloudTrail logs over the past week?

Introduction

The recent 30% drop in Panther's log ingestion rate for AWS CloudTrail logs is a critical issue that demands immediate attention. This analysis will systematically investigate the root cause, considering technical, user behavior, and external factors. We'll follow a structured approach to identify, validate, and address the underlying issues while balancing short-term fixes with long-term solutions.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Looking at the timing, I'm thinking there might be a recent change in AWS CloudTrail configuration. Has there been any update to AWS CloudTrail or Panther's integration in the past week?

Why it matters: Recent changes often correlate with performance issues. Expected answer: Yes, there was a minor update to CloudTrail API. Impact on approach: If confirmed, we'd focus on the update's impact on log ingestion.

• Considering user behavior, I'm curious about any changes in log volume or patterns. Have you noticed any significant shifts in the amount or type of logs being generated?

Why it matters: Changes in log generation could explain ingestion rate drops. Expected answer: Log volume has remained consistent. Impact on approach: If true, we'd shift focus to Panther's ingestion process rather than source data.

• Thinking about system health, I'm wondering about any recent infrastructure changes. Have there been any updates to Panther's log ingestion infrastructure or scaling policies?

Why it matters: Infrastructure changes can significantly impact performance. Expected answer: No major changes, but there was a routine scaling policy adjustment. Impact on approach: We'd investigate how the policy adjustment might have affected ingestion capacity.

• Considering external factors, I'm curious about AWS service status. Have there been any reported issues or degraded performance with AWS CloudTrail or related services?

Why it matters: External service issues could explain the ingestion rate drop. Expected answer: No major AWS incidents reported. Impact on approach: If confirmed, we'd focus more on internal factors and Panther's systems.