What this control covers
Establish and maintain a secure configuration process for enterprise assets (end-user devices, including portable and mobile, non-computing/IoT devices, and servers) and software (operating systems and applications). Review and update documentation annually, or when significant enterprise changes occur that could impact this Safeguard.
Why it matters
Risk is the language an executive team understands; this control connects technical reality to board-level decisions and budget allocation.
How to implement
AWS
Codify the policy intent as SCPs, AWS Config conformance packs, and Security Hub standards so the cloud enforces what the document says.
Azure
Codify in Azure Policy initiatives (built-in regulatory compliance for CIS, ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA) and assign at management-group level.
GCP
Org Policy Service for guardrails and Config Validator in CI to pre-check Terraform plans against policy as code (Rego).
Google Workspace
Endpoint Management (basic/advanced) for BYOD/COPE; require screen lock, disk encryption and OS minimum; block sign-in on jailbroken devices.
GitHub
Dependabot security updates + version updates, plus CodeQL for SAST and a renovate bot for major-version drift management.
On-premises
Maintain a policy library with a documented review cadence (annual minimum); store in your GRC tool with attestation tracking. Map each policy to controls so an audit pull cites the exact policy clause.
Evidence to collect
user_device_scan— Output from your MDM/EDR (Intune, Jamf, Kandji) showing managed-device count, posture and last-check-in.policy_document— A signed, version-controlled policy stating leadership intent and the named owner.
Endpoint compliance telemetry (Intune, Jamf) proves managed coverage. Signed policy or standard documents the safeguard. Focus: Establish and Maintain a Secure Configuration Process.
Quick checklist
- Establish And Maintain — End User / Portable
- Protect — End User / Portable
Related articles on this site
- NIST 800-171 3.4.1 Establish and maintain baseline configurations and inventories of organizational systems (including hardware, software, firmware, and documentation) throughout the respective system development life cycles.
- CMMC 2.0 CM.2.061 Establish and maintain baseline configurations and inventories of organizational systems (including hardware, software, firmware, and documentation) throughout the respective system development life cycles.
- NIST 800-171 3.1.1 Limit information system access to authorized users, processes acting on behalf of authorized users, or devices (including other information systems).
- NIST 800-171 3.1.19 Encrypt CUI on mobile devices and mobile computing platforms.[23]