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Monitoring the "cs-uri-stem" field in IIS logs is crucial because it provides insights into the resources being accessed on the web server. This field typically records the specific URI path requested by the client, which is essential for identifying potential file downloads. By analyzing the "cs-uri-stem," forensic analysts can pinpoint exactly which files users are attempting to download, track how often they are accessed, and determine if there are any patterns suggesting unauthorized or malicious behavior. This information is particularly vital for investigating incidents of data exfiltration or attempts to download sensitive files, as well as understanding overall user activity and engagement with the hosted content.

While tracking user agent strings, analyzing traffic patterns, and recording response times are valuable for different aspects of performance monitoring and threat analysis, they do not directly provide the same level of clarity regarding file download activities as the "cs-uri-stem" field does.