GirishKumarMs: Monitoring CrowdStrike Falcon Sensor on Linux and Windows Servers

Friday, July 4, 2025

Monitoring CrowdStrike Falcon Sensor on Linux and Windows Servers

CrowdStrike Falcon is a leading endpoint protection solution used across enterprise environments to detect and respond to threats in real time. Ensuring that the Falcon Sensor is active and functioning on both Linux and Windows servers is essential for maintaining a secure infrastructure.

Why Sensor Monitoring Matters

The Falcon Sensor is the agent that communicates with CrowdStrike’s cloud-based platform. If the sensor is inactive, misconfigured, or not installed, the server may be exposed to threats and lack visibility in the CrowdStrike dashboard.

Checking Sensor Status on Linux Servers

Method 1: Using Falcon Control Tool

CrowdStrike provides a command-line utility called falconctl:

sudo /opt/CrowdStrike/falconctl -g --status

his command displays the sensor’s configuration and operational status, including registration and connectivity.

Method 2: Using systemd

sudo systemctl status falcon-sensor

Expected output:

● falcon-sensor.service - CrowdStrike Falcon Sensor
   Loaded: loaded (/etc/systemd/system/falcon-sensor.service; enabled)
   Active: active (running) since ...

To start or enable the service:

sudo systemctl start falcon-sensor

sudo systemctl enable falcon-sensor

Checking Sensor Status on Windows Servers

Method 1: Using PowerShell

Run the following command:

Get-Service -Name CSFalconSensor

Expected output:

Status   Name               DisplayName
------   ----               -----------
Running  CSFalconSensor     CrowdStrike Falcon Sensor

Method 2: Listing All Services

If the above command throws an error, list all services and search manually:

Get-Service

Look for:

Running  CSFalconSensor     CrowdStrike Falcon Sensor

If the service is not running, you can start it with:

Start-Service -Name CSFalconSensor

Troubleshooting Tips

Sensor Not Found: Ensure the sensor is installed in the correct directory (/opt/CrowdStrike/ on Linux or listed in services on Windows).
Service Fails to Start: Check logs (journalctl -u falcon-sensor on Linux or Event Viewer on Windows).
Connectivity Issues: Use falconctl or check CrowdStrike dashboard for registration status.

Conclusion

Regular monitoring of the CrowdStrike Falcon Sensor across both Linux and Windows servers is a vital part of maintaining endpoint security. These simple checks help ensure that your systems are protected and visible in the CrowdStrike console.

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