# Auditing

When Change Reasons are enabled, Analysts must specify a reason for the change in the **Change Reasons** window. This reason is recorded in the [Administration Audit Trail.](https://docs.alemba.com/asm-hermes/setup-and-configure-asm/configuring-your-system/system-administration-settings/system-settings-menu/auditing/administration-audit-trail)

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This does not enable or disable auditing of system administration or ASM Designer. This is always enabled. You can only specify whether analysts must enter reasons for changes they make.
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### Before you start

You must have **System Set Up** selected in the Admin tab of your **General Access security role**.
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1. Select the Menu button, then **Admin**, then select **System Administration**. The System Administration window appears. 
2. In the Explorer pane, expand **System**, then select **Auditing** to display the **Auditing** window, showing the following information:

<table><thead><tr><th width="223">System Configuration</th><th>Enables Change Reasons on all changes made in the system administration settings</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Designer</td><td>Enables Change Reasons on changes to screens, forms and message templates in ASM Designer</td></tr></tbody></table>

3. Save the changes.
   1. The reasons given appear in the [Administration Audit Trail](https://docs.alemba.com/asm-hermes/setup-and-configure-asm/configuring-your-system/system-administration-settings/system-settings-menu/auditing/administration-audit-trail) (for configuration settings) and on any screen, form, or message template history for changes made through ASM Designer.

## Data Purge/Retention Period

Applies to ASM 10.6.8.15038

1. Select the Data Retention/purge options
   1. Data Retention Period (Years): Defaults to 7 years.&#x20;
   2. Delay Period (Days): Defaults to 30 days.

The default retention period and delay settings can be modified in System Administration as per organizational requirements. More information about the Data Purge service are available on the [Configuring the Data Purge Service](https://docs.alemba.com/asm-hermes-10.6.8/setup-and-configure-asm/configuring-your-system/configuring-the-data-purge-service) page.