---
locale: "en"
updated_at: "2026-08-10T09:05:16.536Z"
canonical: "https://www.isdecisions.com/en/fileaudit/docs/support/faq/cloud-option"
---

# Cloud Option FAQ

Answers to common privacy questions about FileAudit cloud auditing: what IS Decisions can access, whether files are read, and what data is stored.

## How does cloud audit work?

Once you connect a cloud provider, FileAudit collects file activity events from that provider and imports them into the same database and reports as your Windows audit data.

It reads activity metadata only, never file contents, and installs nothing on the provider side.

For the full picture, including supported providers, permissions, and event delivery timing, see [Cloud audit](/fileaudit/docs/reference/core-concepts/cloud-audit).

## Can IS Decisions read my files?

No. FileAudit is a professional auditing solution that does not need to read file contents. The permissions you grant depend on the provider:

- **Microsoft and Google:** you only grant permission to read file metadata or profile data. Reading the contents of any file in your storage is not possible: Microsoft and Google prevent it.
- **Box and Dropbox:** with these providers, the permission to receive notifications :is tied to the permission to read files. FileAudit never reads your files because it does not need to, but to be fully transparent, you should know that reading files is technically part of the permission you grant when you accept the consent screen.

## Which data does IS Decisions have access to?

In the notifications received, IS Decisions only accesses the information that helps you run forensics: the user who triggered the action, the file name, the date, the operation itself, the IP address, and similar details. The contents of the file are not accessible from the notification.

## Which data does IS Decisions store?

IS Decisions stores no information about file and folder operations, with one exception: when your local FileAudit instance is disconnected, notifications are kept for 30 days so they can be sent to FileAudit once the connection is restored. Trace logs are also stored to help troubleshoot issues. These traces may contain some data related to operations on your files, and they are deleted after 30 days.

## What does the cloud option include?

The cloud option is an add-on that extends FileAudit to OneDrive for Business, Google Workspace, Dropbox Business, and Box. Cloud activity appears in the same reports, alerts, and filters as your Windows audit data, giving you one consolidated view of on-premises and cloud file activity. 

See [Cloud audit](/fileaudit/docs/reference/core-concepts/cloud-audit) for supported providers, plan requirements, and how collection works.