Log management is a crucial practice for maintaining security, operational efficiency, and uptime in distributed cloud systems by continuously gathering, storing, processing, and analyzing data from various applications and services. This process involves collecting logs, which are computer-generated files that record system activities, and using them to optimize performance, troubleshoot issues, manage resources, enhance security, and meet compliance requirements. Key components include log collection, aggregation, parsing, storage, analysis, search, archiving, and disposal. Effective log management relies on tools that support high availability, scalability, and data integrity, enabling organizations to monitor system performance, detect security threats, and ensure compliance with regulations like FISMA, HIPAA, SOX, GLBA, PCI DSS, and GDPR. Logs, along with metrics and traces, form the foundation of modern observability, providing valuable insights into application flow and system performance. Challenges such as data volume and variability necessitate scalable and specialized tools to manage logs in real-time, facilitate detailed analysis, and maintain compliance. Solutions like Dynatrace log management aggregate data into a centralized data lakehouse, improving visibility and allowing IT teams to proactively address issues while optimizing cloud spending and compliance posture.