Implementation of Public Security Decree No.151: How Full-Optical Networks Deliver Internet Behavior Auditing and 6-Month Log Retention

Cybersecurity inspections have become increasingly frequent in the past two years. Many enterprises only realize their networks are operating in a completely non-compliant state after receiving official notices from the cybersecurity brigade to submit internet access logs for the previous six months. Common problems include missing records entirely, or fragmented logs stored across multiple devices that cannot form a complete audit trail. Since the enforcement of Public Security Decree No.151, internet behavior auditing and mandatory log retention have shifted from optional configurations to non-negotiable compliance obligations, pushing enterprises to attach great importance to this issue.

For SMEs and industrial parks without dedicated cybersecurity staff, the challenge is rarely a lack of willingness to comply, but rather uncertainty about implementation steps and inherent limitations of traditional network architectures. Below we break down the core pain points, potential penalties, and the full-optical network’s targeted solutions.

I. Why Traditional Network Architectures Struggle to Meet Decree No.151 Requirements

The bottleneck lies not in hardware procurement, but three inherent flaws of legacy frameworks:

Decentralized Devices and Fragmented Logs

Conventional networks are assembled from heterogeneous multi-brand hardware including routers, switches and wireless APs, which operate independently without centralized log aggregation capabilities. Internet authentication records, device operation logs and access behavior trails are saved locally on separate hardware with no unified collection platform. IT staff must log into dozens of devices one by one to extract data. In the event of a cybersecurity incident, full-chain evidence cannot be retrieved promptly. Scattered logs are highly vulnerable to loss, creating major obstacles for internal troubleshooting and official police inspections.

Insufficient Storage Failing Mandatory Retention Rules

Decree No.151 sets a rigid 180-day log retention requirement. Built-in storage on traditional access devices is extremely limited, only able to store records for several days to two weeks before old data gets overwritten by new entries. Deploying a standalone log server demands extra hardware purchases, cable routing and rack space, driving up capital expenditure and server room load. Many small-scale accommodation venues and industrial parks suffer from constrained equipment room conditions and cannot deploy high-capacity storage, resulting in non-compliant log retention periods and fines during regulatory audits.

Disconnected Authentication and Logs Breaking Traceability

In legacy systems, real-name authentication modules and network behavior logging run as two isolated subsystems. Visitor identity information captured via real-name verification cannot be automatically correlated with terminal access logs. Even if administrators locate a violation record, they cannot trace it back to a specific authenticated individual due to disjointed identity data and browsing trails. When cyber violations occur, enterprises fail to produce a complete traceable evidence chain, directly violating the traceability and audit clauses of Decree No.151.

II. Non-Compliance Entails Far More Than Minor Fines

Failure to pass Equal Protection assessments and cybersecurity inspections will trigger mandatory rectification deadlines, substantial financial penalties, and even forced business suspension for overhaul. Beyond monetary sanctions, reputational damage is often more devastating: official public notices will prompt clients and partners to reassess the company’s risk control capabilities, leading to irreversible loss of orders and business trust.

Moreover, most inspections are unannounced surprise audits. Without pre-configured auditing and log archiving systems in place, enterprises have no recourse but to accept penalties when unable to produce records on demand. Compliance infrastructure must be built and maintained daily for immediate presentation during audits, rather than hastily patched together after incidents happen.

III. How AINOPOL Full-Optical Networks Achieve Cybersecurity Compliance

In AINOPOL’s full-optical network solution for corporate parks, auditing and log retention are natively embedded into the core security backbone, instead of being added as external aftermarket appliances. The detailed implementation is as follows:

1. Converged Gateway Integrates Auditing and Centralized Storage

The Dream Series converged gateway consolidates OLT, wireless AC controller, hardware firewall, centralized storage, Portal visitor authentication and multiple other functions. Its internal embedded audit engine and log storage eliminate the need for a standalone audit server, reducing potential failure points and extra procurement costs. A single device handles data forwarding, threat prevention and full logging synchronously, ensuring zero missing records with logs generated from the same traffic source.

The gateway’s internal hard drive executes rolling log retention to satisfy the minimum 6-month storage rule, with expired data automatically overwritten. Log partitions are physically isolated from business application data to avoid resource contention. Standard compliance reports can be exported with one click for seamless official inspections.

2. Dual Safeguards of Real-Name Verification & Terminal Admission Control

The framework supports 802.1X intranet authentication and Portal-based visitor authentication, with docking options for corporate unified identity databases or local public security real-name verification platforms. It establishes rigid binding among person – terminal device – network behavior. Unauthorized rogue devices are blocked instantly upon access, guaranteeing every log entry is traceable to a specific user and endpoint instead of an untraceable anonymous IP address.

Complying with Decree No.151 is never as simple as purchasing a single hardware device. The core requirement is to embed auditing and persistent logging as native default network capabilities. Building security into the foundational architecture is far more reliable and low-maintenance than stacking external audit boxes later, especially for responding to unannounced spot checks. Exact hardware selection, port configuration and deployment plans are finalized via on-site site surveys and customized project design.

In summary, corporate network construction for SMEs has evolved far beyond basic internet connectivity. It serves as a critical line of defense to uphold regulatory compliance and mitigate operational risks. Outdated copper-based networks with fragmented hardware cannot deliver precise internet behavior auditing or standardized log archiving, leaving enterprises exposed to persistent cybersecurity compliance liabilities.

Leveraging natively embedded security modules and a streamlined all-in-one architecture, the AINOPOL full-optical network resolves the core pain points of legacy copper networks: difficult compliance implementation, cumbersome maintenance and broken traceability. It meets Decree No.151 compliance requirements on a routine basis without dedicated full-time cybersecurity personnel. The solution cuts extra expenditure and maintenance overhead from retrofitted discrete devices, fully prepares enterprises for sudden official cybersecurity audits, and builds a standardized, low-cost, high-security and easy-to-operate compliant network system for small and medium businesses, allowing stable operation with full confidence during regulatory inspections.

FAQ

Q: What specific logs are mandated under Decree No.151?

A: The regulation mainly governs internet access and usage activity records, including access logs, traffic statistics, user real-name identity information, etc. The universally required retention period is no less than six months, with complete traceable evidence available for inspectors upon request. Final implementation standards shall abide by the rules issued by the local Public Security Cybersecurity Department.

Q: We already have firewalls and AC controllers. Do we still need additional auditing functions?

A: Logs generated by most traditional hardware are scattered, stored for insufficient durations and formatted inconsistently, making it impossible to reconstruct a complete audit trail during inspections. The natively embedded audit engine achieves homologous log archiving and addresses the two key shortcomings: inadequate retention cycles and fragmented traceability. This integrated approach is more robust than retrofitting patch updates on existing separate devices.

Q: Will deploying full-optical network auditing renovations disrupt daily business and force downtime?

A: It depends on the reconstruction methodology. Full-scale overhaul requires scheduling dedicated business suspension windows. The IP-POL legacy reuse mode, however, is compatible with original wiring and can be rolled out with nearly zero operational interruption. The construction timeline is adjusted according to on-site conditions and business tolerance for outages.

Q: How to guarantee uniform compliance across multiple factory sites?

A: Centralized management is realized via the group-level cloud platform. The headquarters remotely monitors audit status across all branches and generates unified reports for regulatory submission. The platform triggers real-time alerts for abnormal log retention in subsidiary campuses, eliminating compliance loopholes caused by insufficient on-site management at remote locations.