---
title: PostgreSQL log connections disabled
description: Datadog, the leading service for cloud-scale monitoring.
breadcrumbs: >-
  Docs > Datadog Security > Code Security > Infrastructure as Code (IaC)
  Security > IaC Security Rules > PostgreSQL log connections disabled
---

# PostgreSQL log connections disabled

{% callout %}
# Important note for users on the following Datadog sites: app.ddog-gov.com

{% alert level="danger" %}
This product is not supported for your selected [Datadog site](https://docs.datadoghq.com/getting_started/site.md). ().
{% /alert %}

{% /callout %}

## Metadata{% #metadata %}

**Id:** `d7a5616f-0a3f-4d43-bc2b-29d1a183e317`

**Cloud Provider:** GCP

**Platform:** Ansible

**Severity:** Medium

**Category:** Observability

#### Learn More{% #learn-more %}

- [Provider Reference](https://docs.ansible.com/ansible/latest/collections/google/cloud/gcp_sql_instance_module.html#parameter-settings/database_flags)

### Description{% #description %}

PostgreSQL Cloud SQL instances must have the `log_connections` flag set to `on` so connection events are recorded for auditing and to help detect suspicious or unauthorized access. For Ansible resources using `google.cloud.gcp_sql_instance` or `gcp_sql_instance`, the `settings.databaseFlags` property must include an entry with `name: log_connections` and `value: on`. Resources missing `settings` or `settings.databaseFlags`, or where `log_connections` is absent or set to `off`, are flagged.

Secure Ansible example:

```yaml
- name: Create PostgreSQL Cloud SQL instance with connection logging enabled
  google.cloud.gcp_sql_instance:
    name: my-postgres-instance
    database_version: POSTGRES_13
    settings:
      tier: db-custom-1-3840
      databaseFlags:
        - name: log_connections
          value: "on"
```

## Compliant Code Examples{% #compliant-code-examples %}

```yaml
- name: create a instance
  google.cloud.gcp_sql_instance:
    name: GCP instance
    settings:
      databaseFlags:
      - name: log_connections
        value: on
      tier: db-n1-standard-1
    region: us-central1
    project: test_project
    database_version: POSTGRES_9_6
    auth_kind: serviceaccount
    service_account_file: /tmp/auth.pem
    state: present
```

## Non-Compliant Code Examples{% #non-compliant-code-examples %}

```yaml
- name: create instance
  google.cloud.gcp_sql_instance:
    name: GCP instance
    settings:
      databaseFlags:
      - name: log_connections
        value: off
      tier: db-n1-standard-1
    region: us-central1
    project: test_project
    database_version: POSTGRES_9_6
    auth_kind: serviceaccount
    service_account_file: "/tmp/auth.pem"
    state: present
- name: create another instance
  google.cloud.gcp_sql_instance:
    name: GCP instance 2
    settings:
      tier: db-n1-standard-1
    region: us-central1
    project: test_project
    database_version: POSTGRES_9_6
    auth_kind: serviceaccount
    service_account_file: "/tmp/auth.pem"
    state: present
```