What is the primary function of AWS CloudTrail?

The primary function of AWS CloudTrail is to enable operational and risk auditing. CloudTrail records AWS API calls made on your account and delivers log files to an Amazon S3 bucket, providing visibility into actions taken on your AWS resources. This functionality is crucial for tracking changes, managing compliance, and conducting security audits. It allows organizations to understand who made specific changes, what those changes were, and when they occurred, facilitating a comprehensive analysis of operational behavior and risk assessment.

Moreover, the collected data can be leveraged for security monitoring and incident response, enabling teams to investigate potential unauthorized activity or misconfigurations. This audit trail is fundamental for organizations to comply with various regulatory standards, ensuring accountability and transparency in their cloud operations.