Title

Security Configuration Tools are not being used to configure platforms for security compliance. (Cat III impact)

Discussion

Security Configuration tools such as Security Templates and Group Policy allow system administrators to consolidate all security related system settings into a single configuration file. These settings can then be applied consistently to any number of Windows Machines. The Security Configuration tools can use the same configuration file to check platforms for compliance with security policy.

Check Content

Interview the SA to determine if the Security Configuration tools, or equivalent process, is being used to configure Windows systems to meet security requirements. The Microsoft Security Configuration tools (such as Security Templates and Group Policy that are integrated into Windows) should be used to configure platforms for security compliance. Note: If an alternate method is used to configure a system (e.g. Gold Disk, manually - using the DISA Windows Security Checklist, etc.) that achieves the same configured result, then this is acceptable.

Fix Text

Security configuration tools or equivalent should be used to configure Windows systems to meet security requirements.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-29666r1_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-1128

Group Title: Security Configuration Tools

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

Controls tied to check. These are derived from the CCIs shown above.