Find PSMP logs in CyberArk Sentry at the /var/opt/CARKPSMP/logs directory.

Where PSMP logs live: a simple guide to a quiet, essential part of CyberArk

If you’ve ever poked around a CyberArk deployment and wondered where the PSMP (Privileged Session Management Proxy) events land, you’re not alone. Logs can feel like the backstage pass of a security system—they quietly record what’s happening, and miss them at your peril. Let me walk you through the basics, with a clear sense of where to look, what you’ll find, and how to make sense of it when something odd shows up.

What PSMP does and why the logs matter

PSMP is the bridge between privileged sessions and enforcement. It helps monitor and control how high-power credentials are used, who’s using them, and when. The logs in this area aren’t just “nice to have.” They’re the primary source of truth for troubleshooting access issues, auditing actions, and verifying that security controls behaved as intended during a session.

In plain terms: if something goes wrong with a privileged session, the PSMP logs are the first place you check. They tell you who did what, when, and under which conditions.

Where the logs are typically located

Here’s the practical bit you can act on today. PSMP logs live in the directory associated with your PSMP installation, nested under the system’s variable data space. In most installations, you’ll find a logs subdirectory tucked under the PSMP directory in that area. The default arrangement is designed so that log files stay separate from binaries and configuration, and they’re easy to rotate and manage.

If you’re asking for the exact path, the conventional default looks like this in many environments: the logs sit in a directory within the PSMP installation path under the system’s variable data area. In plain terms, you’d search for the PSMP folder, then open its logs subfolder. If you have to confirm on your box, a quick check of installation or startup scripts often reveals the precise location. And yes, you’ll often see a path that starts with something like /var, which is common for variable data on Unix-like systems. The key takeaway: the logs live close to the PSMP components, in a dedicated logs folder, designed for quick access and reliable retention.

What to expect inside the PSMP logs

Once you’re inside the logs directory, you’ll see files that document PSMP operations and events. Depending on how the system is set up, you might see:

• A primary log file that records routine PSMP activity, including startup, shutdown, and normal session events.

• Separate files or rotations for audit-like entries, showing who did what, when, and with which target.

• Error or warning files that flag odd events, misconfigurations, or failed actions that warrant a closer look.

Think of the logs as a diary of sessions and governance actions. The names can vary a bit from one deployment to another, but the pattern is consistent: daily or size-based rotation, human-readable timestamps, and entries that tie actions to users, systems, and targets.

Quick tips for reading PSMP logs

• Start with the most recent entries. If something caught your attention, tail -f can stream new lines as they appear.

• Look for errors or warnings first. If you see a stack trace or a terse error message, that’s your breadcrumb to deeper investigation.

• Use simple searches. Grep-style queries like grep -i "error" or grep -i "auth" can surface the most relevant lines quickly.

• Correlate with time. If you know when an issue occurred, filter by date and time to isolate the window you need.

• Don’t rely on a single file. If your deployment uses multiple log files, you’ll want to check related ones that cover the same period.

If you’re new to log analysis, think of it like detective work. You’re not just looking for what happened, you’re looking for patterns—repeated failed authentications, unusual session durations, or events that occur just before a failure.

Practical ways to access the logs

Here are straightforward commands you can use on a typical Unix-like system to find and inspect PSMP logs. They keep things simple and readable, which helps when you’re not in a rush.

• Locate the logs directory

• Look for a PSMP folder in the common variable data area and then open its logs subdirectory.

• If you’re unsure, a repository-wide search can help: something like find / -type d -name "CARKPSMP" -print, then look for a logs folder inside.

• List files in the logs directory

• ls -la /var/path/to/PSMP/logs (adjust to your actual path)

• Review the most recent activity

• tail -n 100 /var/path/to/PSMP/logs/psmp.log

• Or tail -n 100 /var/path/to/PSMP/logs/*.log to get a quick snapshot across rotated files

• Real-time monitoring

• tail -f /var/path/to/PSMP/logs/psmp.log

• Search for what matters

• grep -i "error" /var/path/to/PSMP/logs/psmp.log

• grep -i "auth" /var/path/to/PSMP/logs/*

If you’re juggling multiple components, you’ll often find related logs in parallel directories. The rhythm of CyberArk deployments is to keep the logs close to the line of operation, so you don’t have to jump around the filesystem to chase a clue.

Why this location matters for admins and security teams

• Quick access for troubleshooting: A predictable, centralized location means you can quickly pull logs after an incident or during a routine health check.

• Better troubleshooting workflows: When you know where the data lives, you can automate common checks—like verifying last successful sessions or spotting repeated failures.

• Clear audit trails: Logs demonstrate what happened, who initiated actions, and when. This is essential for compliance and governance.

• Manageable retention: Storing logs in a dedicated directory makes rotation and archival policies straightforward, helping you keep storage in check without losing important history.

A few extra notes you’ll appreciate

• Custom installations vary. If your environment uses a custom PSMP installation path, the logs will follow that path. The general rule remains: the logs stay with the PSMP components, in a logs subdirectory near the installation home.

• Permissions matter. Logs need to be readable by administrators and often written by the service user that runs PSMP. If you can’t see or read the files, check user permissions and the service account that PSMP uses.

• Rotation and retention. Log rotation is a sane practice here, just like in other server components. If you’re managing aging logs, confirm how many days or how many files are kept, and set automatic compression for older files to save space.

• Monitoring and alerts. If you’re responsible for security operations, consider tying log events to alerts. A simple rule like “notify on repeated authentication failures within a short window” can catch brute-force attempts or misconfigurations early.

Common questions, practical answers

• What if I can’t find the logs? Start by locating the PSMP installation directory and then the logs subfolder. If the path isn’t where you expect, check the startup scripts or configuration files; they usually declare the log directory. In some setups, a symbolic link might point to the active log location, so don’t be afraid to trace links.

• How can I confirm the logs are being written? Check the timestamp of the latest file and tail the latest log. If you see activity, you’re in business. If not, there could be a service issue or a misconfiguration.

• Should I enable more verbose logging? It depends on the scenario. For a live issue, a temporary increase in verbosity can help, but be mindful of performance and retention implications. Don’t forget to revert to a normal level once you’ve captured what you needed.

• Can I centralize PSMP logs with a SIEM? Yes, most CyberArk deployments can forward logs to a SIEM or log management system. Centralization improves correlation across systems and simplifies audits.

A quick-start mindset for managing PSMP logs

• Know the default habit: PSMP logs live in a logs folder under the PSMP installation, within the variable data space of the host. If you’re in a lab or a test environment, you’ll still want a consistent path for quick access.

• Keep it readable: Use clear file names and sensible rotation. Aim for human-friendly timestamps and consistent encoding.

• Make inspection a habit: Regularly glance through the last 24 hours of activity, especially after changes to authentication methods or session controls.

• Tie it to action: When you spot anomalies, trace them back to user activity, target systems, and the timing of events. That’s where the real understanding lives.

Closing thoughts: the logs as navigational clues

PSMP logs may not be the flashiest part of a CyberArk deployment, but they are among the most reliable navigational clues you’ll rely on. They tell you what happened, what went wrong, and whether your controls did their job when it mattered most. By knowing where to look and how to read what you find, you keep the system honest and transparent. The logs don’t just record events—they safeguard understanding, accountability, and trust in privilege management.

If you’re keeping a mental map of CyberArk components, think of the PSMP logs as the heartbeat—steady, informative, and quietly essential for keeping sessions secure and well-behaved. And if you ever feel uncertain about the exact path on a given server, a quick check of the PSMP installation directory and its logs folder will typically set you straight. The bottom line is simple: the logs belong beside the PSMP, in its own logs directory, ready to tell you the story of privileged access.