CIS Benchmarks
Apply vendor-specific secure-configuration recommendations through tested, governed baselines and exceptions.
On this page · 4 sections
Applicability & intent
CIS Benchmarks are prescriptive configuration recommendations for operating systems, cloud services, network devices, and applications. Version and profile selection matter.
- Document why cis benchmarks applies, what is in scope, and who is accountable.
- Translate obligations into owned, testable outcomes with proportionate evidence.
- Track exceptions, residual risk, changes, and corrective actions through governance review.
Governance lifecycle
- 01
Confirm scope, context, interested parties, legal or contractual basis, and authoritative sources.
- 02
Identify desired outcomes, owners, dependencies, existing controls, and evidence sources.
- 03
Assess design and operating effectiveness using representative, time-bound evidence.
- 04
Record gaps, risk, interim protections, target dates, and approval decisions.
- 05
Verify remediation, report residual risk, and schedule reassessment when context changes.
Evidence & assurance
| Evidence family | Assurance question |
|---|---|
| benchmark, version, profile, and scope | Does governance establish accountable direction? |
| baseline-as-code or configuration evidence | Does the process operate consistently? |
| exception, test, and drift records | Can the claimed outcome be independently verified? |
Evidence should be attributable, current, protected, reproducible, and linked to an accountable owner. A document alone does not demonstrate that a control operates effectively.
Readiness decisions
- Use the exact benchmark for the product version.
- Test changes before production rollout.
- Monitor drift and document justified exceptions.