Hardware, operating systems, software and apps, and third-party platforms are all components of your IT infrastructure, including its operating procedures and settings. Misconfiguration of these components can have ripple effects across an entire network, so investing time and effort into configuration management is critical.

Here, we cover secure configuration management and why it’s essential for organizations serious about security and compliance. 

Understanding Secure Configuration Management

Secure configuration management systematically manages system settings to ensure they adhere to security policies and standards. Its primary role is maintaining a secure IT environment by mitigating vulnerabilities and reducing the attack surface.

While general configuration management focuses on maintaining consistency and reliability of IT systems, secure configuration management emphasizes security. SCM ensures systems are configured to minimize vulnerabilities and comply with security standards. This distinction highlights SCM’s crucial role in cybersecurity, going beyond mere functionality to protect against threats.

What Are the Best Practices for Secure Configuration Management?

Strategies around SCM involve understanding underlying security and compliance baselines, mapping relationships between different control configurations, and then implementing tools and practices to ensure they remain adequately configured.

Some of these best practices include:

• Understand Baseline Configurations: Establishing baseline configurations is the foundation of SCM. A baseline configuration is a predefined set of secure settings for systems and applications. These configurations serve as a benchmark, ensuring consistency and security across the organization. Maintaining these baselines helps quickly identify and rectify deviations that could pose security risks.
• Map Configuration Standards: Developing and implementing configuration standards based on industry best practices and frameworks is essential. Frameworks such as the Center for Internet Security (CIS) Benchmarks and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) guidelines provide detailed recommendations for secure configurations. These standards ensure systems are configured to resist common threats and vulnerabilities.
• Conduct Regular Audits and Assessments: Regular audits and assessments ensure compliance with configuration standards. These audits help identify configuration drift—when systems deviate from their secure baselines. Regular assessments enable organizations to promptly address any misconfigurations, thereby maintaining the security posture of their IT environment.
• Use Automated Tools: Automated tools are pivotal in managing and enforcing secure configurations. Chef, Puppet, Ansible, and Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) automate configuration deployment, monitoring, and remediation. These tools enhance efficiency and accuracy, ensuring consistent application of security settings across all systems.
• Implement Change Management: A robust change management process is integral to SCM. Effective change management tracks and documents all configuration changes, ensuring each change is reviewed and approved. This process helps maintain security and compliance by preventing unauthorized or unplanned changes that could introduce vulnerabilities.

Hardening Systems and Applications

A core benefit of SCM is its ability to harden critical systems against vulnerabilities and threats. “Hardening” means closing these vulnerabilities across multiple systems (data, apps, operating systems, hardware, etc.). 

Some critical areas that you should harden include:

Operating Systems

Hardening operating systems is a critical aspect of SCM. Here are specific recommendations for different operating systems:

• Windows: Disable unnecessary services, enforce strong password policies, implement Windows Defender, and regularly apply security patches.
• Linux: Restrict root access, configure firewall rules with iptables, disable unused network services, and use SELinux for enhanced security.
• macOS: Enable FileVault for disk encryption, use Gatekeeper to control app installations, configure application firewall, and ensure regular software updates.

Network Devices

Securing network devices is essential for protecting the network infrastructure. Best practices include:

• Routers and Switches: Change default passwords, disable unused ports, implement access control lists (ACLs), and enable logging and monitoring.
• Firewalls: Define and enforce security policies, restrict inbound and outbound traffic, use intrusion prevention systems (IPS), and conduct regular rule reviews.

Applications

Securing applications involves several key practices:

• Web Servers: Use secure protocols (e.g., HTTPS), disable unnecessary modules, implement input validation, and regularly apply security patches.
• Databases: Enforce strong authentication, restrict database permissions, encrypt data at rest and in transit, and regularly back up databases.
• Email Servers: Enable spam and phishing filters, use encryption for email communication, implement strong access controls, and update regularly to patch vulnerabilities.

Endpoint Security

Hardening endpoints is crucial as they are often the weakest link in cybersecurity:

• Desktops and Laptops: Implement disk encryption, enforce strong password policies, use endpoint protection software, and ensure regular updates.
• Mobile Devices: Use mobile device management (MDM) solutions, enforce encryption, require strong authentication, and apply security patches promptly.

Compliance and Secure Configuration Management

Secure configuration management aligns with various regulatory and compliance requirements, helping organizations achieve and maintain compliance. Key regulations and standards include:

• CMMC: SCM ensures adherence to security practices required at different CMMC levels.
• ISO 27001: SCM supports the implementation of security controls and continuous improvement in information security management systems (ISMS).
• HIPAA: SCM helps protect electronic protected health information (ePHI) by enforcing secure configurations.
• PCI DSS: SCM ensures cardholder data security through strict configuration controls.

Challenges and Solutions of Security Configuration Management

Implementing secure configuration management is not without challenges. The complexity of configuration settings, unit settings, and ongoing device management can challenge even the more prepared enterprise. 

Common issues include:

• Complexity and Scale: Managing secure configurations across a large and diverse IT environment can be incredibly complex. Organizations often have various systems, applications, and devices with configuration requirements. The complexity increases with the number of devices, operating systems, applications, and network components involved. 
• Configuration Drift: Configuration drift occurs when systems deviate from their secure baseline configurations over time. This drift can happen due to unauthorized changes, system updates, or new deployments that do not adhere to the established standards. 
• Resource Constraints: Effective SCM requires significant resources, including skilled personnel, time, and financial investment. Limited budgets can restrict the ability to invest in automated tools, regular audits, and continuous monitoring, which are crucial for effective SCM.
  
• Keeping Up with Changes: The IT landscape continuously evolves with new technologies, updates, and security threats emerging regularly. Organizations must continuously monitor and adjust their configurations to adapt to these changes, which requires ongoing vigilance and effort.
• Lack of Standardization: Without standardized processes and documentation, managing configurations can become chaotic. Standardization ensures that all systems adhere to the same security policies, but achieving this across an entire organization can be difficult.
• Human Error: Human error is a significant risk factor in SCM. Misconfigurations can easily occur due to IT personnel’s mistakes during manual configuration processes. Automation can reduce the likelihood of human error, but implementing and managing automated solutions also requires careful attention to detail.
• Integration with Existing Systems: Integrating SCM practices and tools with existing systems and workflows can be challenging. Organizations may face compatibility issues or disruptions to current operations when implementing new SCM solutions. Ensuring seamless integration while maintaining business continuity requires careful planning and execution.
• Ensuring Compliance: Regulatory and compliance requirements frequently change, necessitating continuous updates to configuration management practices. Compliance with various standards (like CMMC, ISO 27001, HIPAA, and PCI DSS) requires ongoing monitoring and adjusting configurations. Failure to comply can result in legal penalties, financial losses, and damage to reputation.

Standardize Security Configurations Through the Continuum GRC Platform

Continuum GRC is a cloud platform that stays ahead of the curve, including support for all certifications (along with our sister company and assessors, Lazarus Alliance). 

• FedRAMP
• StateRAMP
• NIST 800-53
• FARS NIST 800-171 & 172
• CMMC
• SOC 1 & SOC 2
• HIPAA
• PCI DSS 4.0
• IRS 1075 & 4812
• COSO SOX
• ISO 27001 + other ISO standards
• NIAP Common Criteria
• And dozens more!

We are the only FedRAMP and StateRAMP-authorized compliance and risk management solution worldwide.

Continuum GRC is a proactive cyber security® and the only FedRAMP and StateRAMP-authorized cybersecurity audit platform worldwide. Call 1-888-896-6207 to discuss your organization’s cybersecurity needs and learn how we can help protect its systems and ensure compliance.