Compliance

SOX Compliance Automation: IT Controls and Audit Trail Implementation

DeviDevs Team
16 min read
#SOX#compliance#audit#financial controls#ITGC

SOX Compliance Automation: IT Controls and Audit Trail Implementation

Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance requires robust IT controls for financial reporting systems. This guide covers automated implementation of IT General Controls (ITGC) and audit trail systems.

IT General Controls Framework

Access Control Management

from dataclasses import dataclass, field
from datetime import datetime, timedelta
from typing import List, Dict, Optional, Set
from enum import Enum
import hashlib
import logging
 
logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
class AccessLevel(Enum):
    READ = "read"
    WRITE = "write"
    EXECUTE = "execute"
    ADMIN = "admin"
 
class SystemCriticality(Enum):
    LOW = "low"
    MEDIUM = "medium"
    HIGH = "high"
    CRITICAL = "critical"  # Financial reporting systems
 
@dataclass
class User:
    id: str
    email: str
    department: str
    manager_id: str
    job_title: str
    hire_date: datetime
    termination_date: Optional[datetime] = None
    is_active: bool = True
 
@dataclass
class AccessRequest:
    id: str
    user_id: str
    system_id: str
    access_level: AccessLevel
    justification: str
    requested_at: datetime
    requested_by: str
    approved_by: Optional[str] = None
    approved_at: Optional[datetime] = None
    denied_by: Optional[str] = None
    denied_at: Optional[datetime] = None
    status: str = "pending"
    expiration_date: Optional[datetime] = None
 
@dataclass
class AccessGrant:
    id: str
    user_id: str
    system_id: str
    access_level: AccessLevel
    granted_at: datetime
    granted_by: str
    request_id: str
    expiration_date: Optional[datetime] = None
    last_review_date: Optional[datetime] = None
    is_active: bool = True
 
class SOXAccessControlManager:
    def __init__(self, db_connection):
        self.db = db_connection
        self.segregation_rules: Dict[str, Set[str]] = {}
        self.approval_matrix: Dict[SystemCriticality, List[str]] = {}
 
    def define_segregation_rules(self, rules: Dict[str, List[str]]):
        """Define segregation of duties rules."""
        self.segregation_rules = {k: set(v) for k, v in rules.items()}
 
        # Example rules for financial systems:
        # - Users with payment initiation cannot have payment approval
        # - Users with journal entry creation cannot have posting approval
        # - Users with vendor master data cannot have payment processing
 
    def define_approval_matrix(self, matrix: Dict[SystemCriticality, List[str]]):
        """Define approval requirements by system criticality."""
        self.approval_matrix = matrix
 
        # Example matrix:
        # LOW: Direct manager approval
        # MEDIUM: Manager + IT Security approval
        # HIGH: Manager + IT Security + System Owner approval
        # CRITICAL: Manager + IT Security + System Owner + Compliance approval
 
    def request_access(self, request: AccessRequest) -> Dict:
        """Submit access request with SOX controls."""
        # Validate request
        validation = self._validate_request(request)
        if not validation["is_valid"]:
            return {
                "success": False,
                "request_id": request.id,
                "errors": validation["errors"]
            }
 
        # Check segregation of duties
        sod_check = self._check_segregation_of_duties(
            request.user_id,
            request.system_id,
            request.access_level
        )
        if not sod_check["passes"]:
            return {
                "success": False,
                "request_id": request.id,
                "errors": [f"SOD Conflict: {sod_check['conflict']}"],
                "requires_exception": True
            }
 
        # Determine required approvers
        system_criticality = self._get_system_criticality(request.system_id)
        required_approvers = self._get_required_approvers(
            request.user_id,
            system_criticality
        )
 
        # Save request
        self._save_request(request)
 
        # Log audit trail
        self._log_audit_event(
            event_type="ACCESS_REQUEST_CREATED",
            user_id=request.requested_by,
            details={
                "request_id": request.id,
                "target_user": request.user_id,
                "system_id": request.system_id,
                "access_level": request.access_level.value,
                "required_approvers": required_approvers
            }
        )
 
        # Trigger approval workflow
        self._initiate_approval_workflow(request, required_approvers)
 
        return {
            "success": True,
            "request_id": request.id,
            "required_approvers": required_approvers,
            "status": "pending_approval"
        }
 
    def _validate_request(self, request: AccessRequest) -> Dict:
        """Validate access request."""
        errors = []
 
        # Check user exists and is active
        user = self._get_user(request.user_id)
        if not user:
            errors.append("User not found")
        elif not user.is_active:
            errors.append("User is not active")
 
        # Check system exists
        system = self._get_system(request.system_id)
        if not system:
            errors.append("System not found")
 
        # Check justification provided
        if not request.justification or len(request.justification) < 20:
            errors.append("Justification must be at least 20 characters")
 
        return {
            "is_valid": len(errors) == 0,
            "errors": errors
        }
 
    def _check_segregation_of_duties(self,
                                     user_id: str,
                                     system_id: str,
                                     access_level: AccessLevel) -> Dict:
        """Check for segregation of duties conflicts."""
        # Get user's current access
        current_access = self._get_user_access(user_id)
 
        # Create access key for checking
        new_access_key = f"{system_id}:{access_level.value}"
 
        # Check against segregation rules
        for existing_access in current_access:
            existing_key = f"{existing_access.system_id}:{existing_access.access_level.value}"
 
            # Check if new access conflicts with existing
            if existing_key in self.segregation_rules:
                if new_access_key in self.segregation_rules[existing_key]:
                    return {
                        "passes": False,
                        "conflict": f"Access to {new_access_key} conflicts with existing {existing_key}"
                    }
 
            # Check reverse
            if new_access_key in self.segregation_rules:
                if existing_key in self.segregation_rules[new_access_key]:
                    return {
                        "passes": False,
                        "conflict": f"Existing {existing_key} conflicts with requested {new_access_key}"
                    }
 
        return {"passes": True}
 
    def _get_required_approvers(self,
                               user_id: str,
                               criticality: SystemCriticality) -> List[Dict]:
        """Get required approvers based on criticality."""
        approvers = []
        user = self._get_user(user_id)
 
        if criticality in [SystemCriticality.LOW, SystemCriticality.MEDIUM,
                          SystemCriticality.HIGH, SystemCriticality.CRITICAL]:
            # Manager approval always required
            approvers.append({
                "role": "manager",
                "user_id": user.manager_id,
                "required": True
            })
 
        if criticality in [SystemCriticality.MEDIUM, SystemCriticality.HIGH,
                          SystemCriticality.CRITICAL]:
            # IT Security for medium and above
            approvers.append({
                "role": "it_security",
                "user_id": None,  # Any IT Security member
                "required": True
            })
 
        if criticality in [SystemCriticality.HIGH, SystemCriticality.CRITICAL]:
            # System owner for high and critical
            approvers.append({
                "role": "system_owner",
                "user_id": None,  # Determined by system
                "required": True
            })
 
        if criticality == SystemCriticality.CRITICAL:
            # Compliance officer for critical systems
            approvers.append({
                "role": "compliance",
                "user_id": None,
                "required": True
            })
 
        return approvers
 
    def approve_access(self,
                       request_id: str,
                       approver_id: str,
                       approval_role: str,
                       comments: str = "") -> Dict:
        """Process access approval."""
        request = self._get_request(request_id)
        if not request:
            return {"success": False, "error": "Request not found"}
 
        if request.status != "pending":
            return {"success": False, "error": f"Request is {request.status}"}
 
        # Validate approver authority
        if not self._validate_approver(approver_id, approval_role, request):
            return {"success": False, "error": "Approver not authorized"}
 
        # Record approval
        self._record_approval(request_id, approver_id, approval_role, comments)
 
        # Check if all required approvals received
        if self._all_approvals_received(request_id):
            # Grant access
            grant = self._grant_access(request)
 
            # Log audit trail
            self._log_audit_event(
                event_type="ACCESS_GRANTED",
                user_id=approver_id,
                details={
                    "request_id": request_id,
                    "grant_id": grant.id,
                    "target_user": request.user_id,
                    "system_id": request.system_id,
                    "access_level": request.access_level.value
                }
            )
 
            return {
                "success": True,
                "status": "approved",
                "grant_id": grant.id
            }
 
        return {
            "success": True,
            "status": "pending_additional_approvals"
        }
 
    def revoke_access(self,
                      grant_id: str,
                      revoked_by: str,
                      reason: str) -> Dict:
        """Revoke access with audit trail."""
        grant = self._get_grant(grant_id)
        if not grant:
            return {"success": False, "error": "Grant not found"}
 
        # Deactivate grant
        grant.is_active = False
        self._save_grant(grant)
 
        # Log audit trail
        self._log_audit_event(
            event_type="ACCESS_REVOKED",
            user_id=revoked_by,
            details={
                "grant_id": grant_id,
                "target_user": grant.user_id,
                "system_id": grant.system_id,
                "access_level": grant.access_level.value,
                "reason": reason
            }
        )
 
        return {"success": True, "status": "revoked"}
 
    def perform_access_review(self, reviewer_id: str) -> Dict:
        """Perform periodic access review for SOX compliance."""
        reviews_needed = []
        review_period_days = 90  # Quarterly review
 
        # Get all active grants for critical systems
        active_grants = self._get_active_grants_for_critical_systems()
 
        for grant in active_grants:
            last_review = grant.last_review_date or grant.granted_at
            days_since_review = (datetime.utcnow() - last_review).days
 
            if days_since_review >= review_period_days:
                reviews_needed.append({
                    "grant_id": grant.id,
                    "user_id": grant.user_id,
                    "system_id": grant.system_id,
                    "access_level": grant.access_level.value,
                    "days_since_review": days_since_review,
                    "granted_at": grant.granted_at.isoformat()
                })
 
        # Log audit event for review initiation
        self._log_audit_event(
            event_type="ACCESS_REVIEW_INITIATED",
            user_id=reviewer_id,
            details={
                "total_grants_reviewed": len(active_grants),
                "reviews_needed": len(reviews_needed)
            }
        )
 
        return {
            "review_date": datetime.utcnow().isoformat(),
            "reviewer_id": reviewer_id,
            "total_active_grants": len(active_grants),
            "reviews_needed": reviews_needed
        }
 
    def _log_audit_event(self, event_type: str, user_id: str, details: Dict):
        """Log audit event with tamper-evident hash."""
        timestamp = datetime.utcnow()
 
        # Get previous event hash for chain
        previous_hash = self._get_last_audit_hash()
 
        # Create event record
        event = {
            "event_type": event_type,
            "timestamp": timestamp.isoformat(),
            "user_id": user_id,
            "details": details,
            "previous_hash": previous_hash
        }
 
        # Generate hash for tamper detection
        event_string = f"{event_type}{timestamp.isoformat()}{user_id}{str(details)}{previous_hash}"
        event["hash"] = hashlib.sha256(event_string.encode()).hexdigest()
 
        # Store event
        self._store_audit_event(event)
 
        logger.info(f"Audit event logged: {event_type} by {user_id}")
 
    # Placeholder methods for database operations
    def _get_user(self, user_id: str) -> Optional[User]:
        pass
 
    def _get_system(self, system_id: str) -> Optional[Dict]:
        pass
 
    def _get_system_criticality(self, system_id: str) -> SystemCriticality:
        pass
 
    def _get_user_access(self, user_id: str) -> List[AccessGrant]:
        pass
 
    def _save_request(self, request: AccessRequest):
        pass
 
    def _get_request(self, request_id: str) -> Optional[AccessRequest]:
        pass
 
    def _validate_approver(self, approver_id: str, role: str, request: AccessRequest) -> bool:
        pass
 
    def _record_approval(self, request_id: str, approver_id: str, role: str, comments: str):
        pass
 
    def _all_approvals_received(self, request_id: str) -> bool:
        pass
 
    def _grant_access(self, request: AccessRequest) -> AccessGrant:
        pass
 
    def _get_grant(self, grant_id: str) -> Optional[AccessGrant]:
        pass
 
    def _save_grant(self, grant: AccessGrant):
        pass
 
    def _get_active_grants_for_critical_systems(self) -> List[AccessGrant]:
        pass
 
    def _get_last_audit_hash(self) -> str:
        pass
 
    def _store_audit_event(self, event: Dict):
        pass
 
    def _initiate_approval_workflow(self, request: AccessRequest, approvers: List[Dict]):
        pass

Change Control System

from dataclasses import dataclass, field
from datetime import datetime
from typing import List, Dict, Optional
from enum import Enum
 
class ChangeType(Enum):
    EMERGENCY = "emergency"
    STANDARD = "standard"
    MAJOR = "major"
 
class ChangeStatus(Enum):
    DRAFT = "draft"
    PENDING_APPROVAL = "pending_approval"
    APPROVED = "approved"
    IN_PROGRESS = "in_progress"
    COMPLETED = "completed"
    FAILED = "failed"
    ROLLED_BACK = "rolled_back"
    CANCELLED = "cancelled"
 
@dataclass
class ChangeRequest:
    id: str
    title: str
    description: str
    change_type: ChangeType
    system_id: str
    requested_by: str
    requested_at: datetime
    scheduled_start: datetime
    scheduled_end: datetime
    impact_assessment: str
    rollback_plan: str
    test_plan: str
    status: ChangeStatus = ChangeStatus.DRAFT
    approvals: List[Dict] = field(default_factory=list)
    implementation_notes: str = ""
    actual_start: Optional[datetime] = None
    actual_end: Optional[datetime] = None
 
class SOXChangeControlManager:
    def __init__(self, db_connection, notification_service):
        self.db = db_connection
        self.notifications = notification_service
 
    def create_change_request(self, change: ChangeRequest) -> Dict:
        """Create change request with SOX controls."""
        # Validate required fields
        validation = self._validate_change_request(change)
        if not validation["is_valid"]:
            return {
                "success": False,
                "errors": validation["errors"]
            }
 
        # Determine required approvals
        required_approvals = self._get_required_approvals(change)
 
        # Save change request
        self._save_change_request(change)
 
        # Log audit trail
        self._log_change_audit(
            change_id=change.id,
            action="CREATED",
            user_id=change.requested_by,
            details={
                "title": change.title,
                "type": change.change_type.value,
                "system_id": change.system_id
            }
        )
 
        return {
            "success": True,
            "change_id": change.id,
            "required_approvals": required_approvals
        }
 
    def _validate_change_request(self, change: ChangeRequest) -> Dict:
        """Validate change request for SOX compliance."""
        errors = []
 
        # Title and description required
        if not change.title or len(change.title) < 10:
            errors.append("Title must be at least 10 characters")
        if not change.description or len(change.description) < 50:
            errors.append("Description must be at least 50 characters")
 
        # Impact assessment required
        if not change.impact_assessment:
            errors.append("Impact assessment is required")
 
        # Rollback plan required
        if not change.rollback_plan:
            errors.append("Rollback plan is required")
 
        # Test plan required for non-emergency changes
        if change.change_type != ChangeType.EMERGENCY and not change.test_plan:
            errors.append("Test plan is required")
 
        # Scheduling validation
        if change.scheduled_start >= change.scheduled_end:
            errors.append("Scheduled end must be after scheduled start")
 
        if change.change_type != ChangeType.EMERGENCY:
            # Standard changes need 48 hour lead time
            min_lead_time = datetime.utcnow() + timedelta(hours=48)
            if change.scheduled_start < min_lead_time:
                errors.append("Standard changes require 48 hour minimum lead time")
 
        return {
            "is_valid": len(errors) == 0,
            "errors": errors
        }
 
    def _get_required_approvals(self, change: ChangeRequest) -> List[Dict]:
        """Get required approvals based on change type."""
        approvals = []
 
        if change.change_type == ChangeType.EMERGENCY:
            approvals = [
                {"role": "it_manager", "required": True},
                {"role": "system_owner", "required": True}
            ]
        elif change.change_type == ChangeType.STANDARD:
            approvals = [
                {"role": "technical_lead", "required": True},
                {"role": "it_manager", "required": True},
                {"role": "qa_lead", "required": True}
            ]
        elif change.change_type == ChangeType.MAJOR:
            approvals = [
                {"role": "technical_lead", "required": True},
                {"role": "it_manager", "required": True},
                {"role": "qa_lead", "required": True},
                {"role": "business_owner", "required": True},
                {"role": "security_officer", "required": True},
                {"role": "change_advisory_board", "required": True}
            ]
 
        return approvals
 
    def approve_change(self,
                       change_id: str,
                       approver_id: str,
                       role: str,
                       approved: bool,
                       comments: str = "") -> Dict:
        """Process change approval."""
        change = self._get_change_request(change_id)
        if not change:
            return {"success": False, "error": "Change not found"}
 
        # Record approval/rejection
        approval_record = {
            "approver_id": approver_id,
            "role": role,
            "approved": approved,
            "comments": comments,
            "timestamp": datetime.utcnow().isoformat()
        }
 
        change.approvals.append(approval_record)
        self._save_change_request(change)
 
        # Log audit trail
        self._log_change_audit(
            change_id=change_id,
            action="APPROVED" if approved else "REJECTED",
            user_id=approver_id,
            details={
                "role": role,
                "comments": comments
            }
        )
 
        if not approved:
            change.status = ChangeStatus.CANCELLED
            self._save_change_request(change)
            return {"success": True, "status": "rejected"}
 
        # Check if all approvals received
        if self._all_approvals_received(change):
            change.status = ChangeStatus.APPROVED
            self._save_change_request(change)
            self._notify_implementers(change)
            return {"success": True, "status": "approved"}
 
        return {"success": True, "status": "pending_additional_approvals"}
 
    def start_implementation(self,
                            change_id: str,
                            implementer_id: str) -> Dict:
        """Start change implementation."""
        change = self._get_change_request(change_id)
        if not change:
            return {"success": False, "error": "Change not found"}
 
        if change.status != ChangeStatus.APPROVED:
            return {"success": False, "error": "Change not approved"}
 
        # Verify implementation window
        now = datetime.utcnow()
        if not (change.scheduled_start <= now <= change.scheduled_end):
            if change.change_type != ChangeType.EMERGENCY:
                return {
                    "success": False,
                    "error": "Outside scheduled implementation window"
                }
 
        change.status = ChangeStatus.IN_PROGRESS
        change.actual_start = now
        self._save_change_request(change)
 
        # Log audit trail
        self._log_change_audit(
            change_id=change_id,
            action="IMPLEMENTATION_STARTED",
            user_id=implementer_id,
            details={"actual_start": now.isoformat()}
        )
 
        return {"success": True, "status": "in_progress"}
 
    def complete_implementation(self,
                               change_id: str,
                               implementer_id: str,
                               success: bool,
                               notes: str = "") -> Dict:
        """Complete change implementation."""
        change = self._get_change_request(change_id)
        if not change:
            return {"success": False, "error": "Change not found"}
 
        if change.status != ChangeStatus.IN_PROGRESS:
            return {"success": False, "error": "Change not in progress"}
 
        now = datetime.utcnow()
        change.actual_end = now
        change.implementation_notes = notes
 
        if success:
            change.status = ChangeStatus.COMPLETED
        else:
            change.status = ChangeStatus.FAILED
 
        self._save_change_request(change)
 
        # Log audit trail
        self._log_change_audit(
            change_id=change_id,
            action="IMPLEMENTATION_COMPLETED" if success else "IMPLEMENTATION_FAILED",
            user_id=implementer_id,
            details={
                "actual_end": now.isoformat(),
                "notes": notes,
                "success": success
            }
        )
 
        # Trigger post-implementation review for major changes
        if change.change_type == ChangeType.MAJOR:
            self._schedule_post_implementation_review(change)
 
        return {
            "success": True,
            "status": change.status.value
        }
 
    def rollback_change(self,
                        change_id: str,
                        implementer_id: str,
                        reason: str) -> Dict:
        """Execute rollback for failed change."""
        change = self._get_change_request(change_id)
        if not change:
            return {"success": False, "error": "Change not found"}
 
        # Log rollback initiation
        self._log_change_audit(
            change_id=change_id,
            action="ROLLBACK_INITIATED",
            user_id=implementer_id,
            details={"reason": reason}
        )
 
        # Execute rollback plan (implementation-specific)
        rollback_success = self._execute_rollback(change)
 
        if rollback_success:
            change.status = ChangeStatus.ROLLED_BACK
            self._save_change_request(change)
 
            self._log_change_audit(
                change_id=change_id,
                action="ROLLBACK_COMPLETED",
                user_id=implementer_id,
                details={}
            )
        else:
            self._log_change_audit(
                change_id=change_id,
                action="ROLLBACK_FAILED",
                user_id=implementer_id,
                details={"error": "Rollback execution failed"}
            )
 
            # Escalate to incident management
            self._escalate_to_incident_management(change, reason)
 
        return {
            "success": rollback_success,
            "status": change.status.value
        }
 
    def generate_change_report(self,
                               start_date: datetime,
                               end_date: datetime) -> Dict:
        """Generate SOX change control report."""
        changes = self._get_changes_in_period(start_date, end_date)
 
        report = {
            "period": {
                "start": start_date.isoformat(),
                "end": end_date.isoformat()
            },
            "summary": {
                "total_changes": len(changes),
                "by_type": {},
                "by_status": {},
                "emergency_changes": 0,
                "unauthorized_changes": 0
            },
            "changes": [],
            "compliance_issues": []
        }
 
        for change in changes:
            # Categorize
            change_type = change.change_type.value
            change_status = change.status.value
 
            report["summary"]["by_type"][change_type] = \
                report["summary"]["by_type"].get(change_type, 0) + 1
            report["summary"]["by_status"][change_status] = \
                report["summary"]["by_status"].get(change_status, 0) + 1
 
            if change.change_type == ChangeType.EMERGENCY:
                report["summary"]["emergency_changes"] += 1
 
            # Check for compliance issues
            issues = self._check_change_compliance(change)
            if issues:
                report["compliance_issues"].extend(issues)
 
            report["changes"].append({
                "id": change.id,
                "title": change.title,
                "type": change_type,
                "status": change_status,
                "requested_by": change.requested_by,
                "requested_at": change.requested_at.isoformat(),
                "approvals": len(change.approvals)
            })
 
        return report
 
    def _check_change_compliance(self, change: ChangeRequest) -> List[Dict]:
        """Check change for compliance issues."""
        issues = []
 
        # Check for missing approvals
        required = self._get_required_approvals(change)
        received = set(a["role"] for a in change.approvals if a["approved"])
 
        for req in required:
            if req["role"] not in received and change.status == ChangeStatus.COMPLETED:
                issues.append({
                    "change_id": change.id,
                    "issue": "MISSING_APPROVAL",
                    "details": f"Missing required approval from {req['role']}"
                })
 
        # Check for implementation outside window
        if change.actual_start and change.change_type != ChangeType.EMERGENCY:
            if change.actual_start < change.scheduled_start:
                issues.append({
                    "change_id": change.id,
                    "issue": "EARLY_IMPLEMENTATION",
                    "details": "Implementation started before scheduled time"
                })
 
        # Check for missing documentation
        if not change.implementation_notes and change.status == ChangeStatus.COMPLETED:
            issues.append({
                "change_id": change.id,
                "issue": "MISSING_DOCUMENTATION",
                "details": "Implementation notes not provided"
            })
 
        return issues
 
    def _log_change_audit(self, change_id: str, action: str, user_id: str, details: Dict):
        """Log change audit trail."""
        pass
 
    def _get_change_request(self, change_id: str) -> Optional[ChangeRequest]:
        pass
 
    def _save_change_request(self, change: ChangeRequest):
        pass
 
    def _all_approvals_received(self, change: ChangeRequest) -> bool:
        pass
 
    def _notify_implementers(self, change: ChangeRequest):
        pass
 
    def _execute_rollback(self, change: ChangeRequest) -> bool:
        pass
 
    def _escalate_to_incident_management(self, change: ChangeRequest, reason: str):
        pass
 
    def _get_changes_in_period(self, start: datetime, end: datetime) -> List[ChangeRequest]:
        pass
 
    def _schedule_post_implementation_review(self, change: ChangeRequest):
        pass

Audit Trail Implementation

from datetime import datetime
from typing import Dict, List, Optional
import hashlib
import json
 
class SOXAuditTrail:
    def __init__(self, db_connection, encryption_service):
        self.db = db_connection
        self.encryption = encryption_service
 
    def log_event(self,
                  event_type: str,
                  user_id: str,
                  resource_type: str,
                  resource_id: str,
                  action: str,
                  details: Dict,
                  ip_address: Optional[str] = None) -> str:
        """Log audit event with tamper-evident hash chain."""
        timestamp = datetime.utcnow()
 
        # Get previous hash for chain integrity
        previous_hash = self._get_last_hash()
 
        # Create event record
        event = {
            "event_id": self._generate_event_id(),
            "timestamp": timestamp.isoformat(),
            "event_type": event_type,
            "user_id": user_id,
            "resource_type": resource_type,
            "resource_id": resource_id,
            "action": action,
            "details": details,
            "ip_address": ip_address,
            "previous_hash": previous_hash
        }
 
        # Generate hash for tamper detection
        event["hash"] = self._generate_hash(event)
 
        # Encrypt sensitive details
        if "sensitive" in details:
            event["details"]["sensitive"] = self.encryption.encrypt(
                json.dumps(details["sensitive"])
            )
 
        # Store event
        self._store_event(event)
 
        return event["event_id"]
 
    def _generate_hash(self, event: Dict) -> str:
        """Generate SHA-256 hash of event for tamper detection."""
        hash_input = (
            f"{event['timestamp']}"
            f"{event['event_type']}"
            f"{event['user_id']}"
            f"{event['resource_type']}"
            f"{event['resource_id']}"
            f"{event['action']}"
            f"{json.dumps(event['details'], sort_keys=True)}"
            f"{event['previous_hash']}"
        )
        return hashlib.sha256(hash_input.encode()).hexdigest()
 
    def verify_integrity(self, start_date: datetime, end_date: datetime) -> Dict:
        """Verify audit trail integrity for a period."""
        events = self._get_events_in_period(start_date, end_date)
 
        verification_result = {
            "period": {
                "start": start_date.isoformat(),
                "end": end_date.isoformat()
            },
            "total_events": len(events),
            "verified_events": 0,
            "integrity_failures": [],
            "chain_breaks": []
        }
 
        previous_hash = None
        for i, event in enumerate(events):
            # Verify hash
            calculated_hash = self._generate_hash({
                **event,
                "hash": None,
                "previous_hash": event["previous_hash"]
            })
 
            if calculated_hash != event["hash"]:
                verification_result["integrity_failures"].append({
                    "event_id": event["event_id"],
                    "timestamp": event["timestamp"],
                    "reason": "Hash mismatch - possible tampering"
                })
            else:
                verification_result["verified_events"] += 1
 
            # Verify chain
            if previous_hash and event["previous_hash"] != previous_hash:
                verification_result["chain_breaks"].append({
                    "event_id": event["event_id"],
                    "timestamp": event["timestamp"],
                    "reason": "Chain break - previous hash mismatch"
                })
 
            previous_hash = event["hash"]
 
        verification_result["is_valid"] = (
            len(verification_result["integrity_failures"]) == 0 and
            len(verification_result["chain_breaks"]) == 0
        )
 
        return verification_result
 
    def search_events(self,
                      user_id: Optional[str] = None,
                      resource_type: Optional[str] = None,
                      resource_id: Optional[str] = None,
                      event_type: Optional[str] = None,
                      start_date: Optional[datetime] = None,
                      end_date: Optional[datetime] = None,
                      limit: int = 100) -> List[Dict]:
        """Search audit events with filters."""
        query_params = {
            "user_id": user_id,
            "resource_type": resource_type,
            "resource_id": resource_id,
            "event_type": event_type,
            "start_date": start_date,
            "end_date": end_date,
            "limit": limit
        }
 
        # Log the search itself for audit purposes
        self.log_event(
            event_type="AUDIT_SEARCH",
            user_id="system",  # Should be actual searcher
            resource_type="audit_trail",
            resource_id="search",
            action="SEARCH",
            details={"query_params": query_params}
        )
 
        return self._execute_search(query_params)
 
    def generate_sox_report(self,
                            report_period: str,
                            start_date: datetime,
                            end_date: datetime) -> Dict:
        """Generate SOX compliance audit report."""
        events = self._get_events_in_period(start_date, end_date)
 
        report = {
            "report_type": "SOX_COMPLIANCE_AUDIT",
            "period": report_period,
            "generated_at": datetime.utcnow().isoformat(),
            "date_range": {
                "start": start_date.isoformat(),
                "end": end_date.isoformat()
            },
            "summary": {
                "total_events": len(events),
                "by_type": {},
                "by_user": {},
                "high_risk_events": 0
            },
            "access_control_events": [],
            "change_control_events": [],
            "financial_system_events": [],
            "integrity_verification": None
        }
 
        # Categorize events
        for event in events:
            event_type = event["event_type"]
            report["summary"]["by_type"][event_type] = \
                report["summary"]["by_type"].get(event_type, 0) + 1
 
            user_id = event["user_id"]
            report["summary"]["by_user"][user_id] = \
                report["summary"]["by_user"].get(user_id, 0) + 1
 
            # Categorize by area
            if event_type.startswith("ACCESS_"):
                report["access_control_events"].append(event)
            elif event_type.startswith("CHANGE_"):
                report["change_control_events"].append(event)
            elif event["resource_type"] in ["financial_system", "ledger", "payment"]:
                report["financial_system_events"].append(event)
 
            # Flag high-risk events
            if self._is_high_risk_event(event):
                report["summary"]["high_risk_events"] += 1
 
        # Verify integrity
        report["integrity_verification"] = self.verify_integrity(start_date, end_date)
 
        return report
 
    def _is_high_risk_event(self, event: Dict) -> bool:
        """Determine if event is high-risk for SOX."""
        high_risk_types = [
            "ACCESS_GRANTED",
            "ACCESS_REVOKED",
            "EMERGENCY_CHANGE",
            "ROLLBACK_INITIATED",
            "SEGREGATION_OVERRIDE",
            "ADMIN_ACCESS"
        ]
        return event["event_type"] in high_risk_types
 
    def _generate_event_id(self) -> str:
        pass
 
    def _get_last_hash(self) -> str:
        pass
 
    def _store_event(self, event: Dict):
        pass
 
    def _get_events_in_period(self, start: datetime, end: datetime) -> List[Dict]:
        pass
 
    def _execute_search(self, params: Dict) -> List[Dict]:
        pass

Reporting and Compliance Dashboard

class SOXComplianceDashboard:
    def __init__(self, access_manager, change_manager, audit_trail):
        self.access = access_manager
        self.changes = change_manager
        self.audit = audit_trail
 
    def generate_quarterly_report(self, quarter: str, year: int) -> Dict:
        """Generate quarterly SOX compliance report."""
        start_date, end_date = self._get_quarter_dates(quarter, year)
 
        return {
            "report_period": f"Q{quarter} {year}",
            "access_control_summary": self._generate_access_summary(start_date, end_date),
            "change_control_summary": self._generate_change_summary(start_date, end_date),
            "audit_trail_summary": self._generate_audit_summary(start_date, end_date),
            "control_effectiveness": self._assess_control_effectiveness(start_date, end_date),
            "recommendations": self._generate_recommendations()
        }
 
    def _generate_access_summary(self, start_date: datetime, end_date: datetime) -> Dict:
        """Summarize access control activities."""
        return {
            "new_access_grants": 0,
            "access_revocations": 0,
            "access_reviews_completed": 0,
            "segregation_conflicts_detected": 0,
            "segregation_exceptions_approved": 0
        }
 
    def _generate_change_summary(self, start_date: datetime, end_date: datetime) -> Dict:
        """Summarize change control activities."""
        return self.changes.generate_change_report(start_date, end_date)["summary"]
 
    def _generate_audit_summary(self, start_date: datetime, end_date: datetime) -> Dict:
        """Summarize audit trail status."""
        integrity = self.audit.verify_integrity(start_date, end_date)
        return {
            "total_events": integrity["total_events"],
            "integrity_verified": integrity["is_valid"],
            "failures": len(integrity["integrity_failures"])
        }
 
    def _assess_control_effectiveness(self, start_date: datetime, end_date: datetime) -> Dict:
        """Assess overall control effectiveness."""
        return {
            "access_control": "effective",
            "change_control": "effective",
            "audit_trail": "effective",
            "overall": "effective"
        }
 
    def _generate_recommendations(self) -> List[str]:
        """Generate improvement recommendations."""
        return []
 
    def _get_quarter_dates(self, quarter: str, year: int):
        """Get start and end dates for a quarter."""
        quarters = {
            "1": (1, 3),
            "2": (4, 6),
            "3": (7, 9),
            "4": (10, 12)
        }
        start_month, end_month = quarters[quarter]
        start_date = datetime(year, start_month, 1)
        if end_month == 12:
            end_date = datetime(year + 1, 1, 1) - timedelta(seconds=1)
        else:
            end_date = datetime(year, end_month + 1, 1) - timedelta(seconds=1)
        return start_date, end_date

Best Practices

SOX IT Controls

  1. Access Management: Implement role-based access with segregation of duties
  2. Change Control: Require approvals and documentation for all changes
  3. Audit Trail: Maintain tamper-evident logs for all financial system activities
  4. Periodic Reviews: Conduct quarterly access reviews and control assessments

Automation Guidelines

  • Automate access request workflows to ensure consistent approval processes
  • Use automated checks for segregation of duties conflicts
  • Implement continuous monitoring for unauthorized changes
  • Generate automated compliance reports for auditor review

SOX compliance automation ensures consistent controls while reducing manual effort and human error in financial reporting systems.

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