---
title: Small PostgreSQL DB server log retention period
description: Datadog, the leading service for cloud-scale monitoring.
breadcrumbs: >-
  Docs > Datadog Security > Code Security > Infrastructure as Code (IaC)
  Security > IaC Security Rules > Small PostgreSQL DB server log retention
  period
---

# Small PostgreSQL DB server log retention period

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## Metadata{% #metadata %}

**Id:** `terraform-azure-small-postgresql-db-server-log-retention-period` 

**Provider:** Azure

**Platform:** Terraform

**Severity:** Low

**Category:** Observability

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

- [Provider Reference](https://registry.terraform.io/providers/hashicorp/azurerm/latest/docs/resources/postgresql_configuration)

### Description{% #description %}

This check verifies whether the `log_retention_days` configuration for an Azure PostgreSQL Database Server retains logs for at least 3 days. Insufficient log retention, such as setting `value = 2` in the Terraform resource, as shown below, can hinder the ability to investigate security incidents or troubleshoot issues, as critical audit and activity logs may be deleted too quickly.

```
resource "azurerm_postgresql_configuration" "positive1" {
  name                = "log_retention_days"
  resource_group_name = azurerm_resource_group.example.name
  server_name         = azurerm_postgresql_server.example.name
  value               = 2
}
```

Increasing the retention period to a secure value (such as `value = 5`) helps ensure logs are available for effective monitoring and forensic analysis.

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

```terraform
resource "azurerm_postgresql_configuration" "negative1" {
  name                = "log_retention_days"
  resource_group_name = azurerm_resource_group.example.name
  server_name         = azurerm_postgresql_server.example.name
  value               = 5
}
```

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

```terraform
resource "azurerm_postgresql_configuration" "positive1" {
  name                = "log_retention_days"
  resource_group_name = azurerm_resource_group.example.name
  server_name         = azurerm_postgresql_server.example.name
  value               = 2
}
```