Skip to main content

CFG-07: Baseline Configuration Reviews & Updates

CFG 8 — High Detect

Mechanisms exist to review and update secure baseline configurations: (1) At least annually; (2) When required due to so; or (3) As part of system component installations and upgrades.

Renumbered: Formerly CFG-02.1 in SCF 2025.4.

Code reused: In SCF 2025.4 and earlier, CFG-07 was Zero-Touch Provisioning (ZTP). That control is now CFG-16.

Control Question: Does the organization review and update baseline configurations: (1) At least annually; (2) When required due to so; or (3) As part of system component installations and upgrades?

General (38)
US (16)
Framework Mapping Values
USA Federal CMS MARS-E 2.0 CM-2 CM-2(1) CM-2(1).a CM-2(1).b CM-2(1).c CM-2(1).d CM-2(1)-IS CM-2(1)-IS.1 CM-2(1)-IS.3
USA Federal CISA CPG 2022 2.K 2.O
USA Federal C2M2 2.1 ASSET-3d ASSET-3e
USA Federal CMMC 2.0 Level 2 AUL2.-3.3.3
USA Federal CJIS Security Policy 6.0 CM-2
USA Federal FFIEC ITEH 2016 II.C.10.a
USA Federal FedRAMP R5 (low) CM-02
USA Federal FedRAMP R5 (moderate) CM-02
USA Federal FedRAMP R5 (high) CM-02
USA Federal FedRAMP R5 (LI-SaaS) CM-02
USA Federal IRS 1075 2021 CM-2 CM-2(IRS-Defined)
USA Federal NERC CIP 2024 CIP-010-4 1.3 CIP-010-4 2.1
USA California CCPA 2025 7123(c)(5)(A)
USA Texas DIR SCSC 2.2 2025 CM-02
USA Texas TX-RAMP Level 1 CM-02
USA Texas TX-RAMP Level 2 CM-02
EMEA (10)
APAC (6)
Americas (1)
Framework Mapping Values
Americas Canada ITSP-10-171 2025 03.04.01.B 03.04.06.C

Capability Maturity Model

Level 0 — Not Performed

Practices are non-existent, based on the inability to demonstrate an implemented and operational capability. A reasonable person would conclude the control is not being performed.

Level 1 — Performed Informally

SCR-CMM Level 1 criteria definitions are not available for this control: ▪ A reasonable person would conclude this control requires a structured process. ▪ At this level of maturity, the "ad hoc" nature of performing a capability informally would indicate the intent of the control is not met due to a lack of consistency and formality.

Level 2 — Planned & Tracked

Configuration Management (CFG) capabilities are requirements-driven, but are not standardized across the entity (e.g., local/regional level consistency). Capability criteria associated with this control reasonably expect the following criteria to exist: ▪ Policies and standards associated with CFG domain capabilities are formally documented and centrally-managed by the entity. ▪ Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP) associated with CFG domain capabilities are documented and maintained by process owners. ▪ IT and/or cybersecurity personnel work with business stakeholders and process owners to appropriately scope and reasonably implement cybersecurity and data protection controls associated with CFG domain capabilities to address applicable statutory, regulatory and/or contractual requirements for Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD). ▪ Configuration management-related controls are primarily administrative and preventative in nature (e.g., policies, standards and procedures & guidelines). ▪ Configuration management may be a defined function (e.g., team or department) or assigned as an additional duty to existing IT and/or cybersecurity personnel. ▪ Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC) are used to configure Technology Assets, Applications and/or Services (TAAS) according to the principles of least functionality and least privilege, mostly conforming to industry-recognized standards for hardening (e.g., DISA STIGs, CIS Benchmarks or OEM security guides). ▪ IT and/or cybersecurity personnel perform an annual review of existing configurations to ensure security objectives are still being met.

Level 3 — Well Defined

Configuration Management (CFG) capabilities are standardized across the entity for applicability to People, Processes, Technologies, Data and/or Facilities (PPTDF) to ensure consistency for Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD). Capability criteria associated with this control reasonably expect the following criteria to exist: ▪ Policies and standards associated with CFG domain capabilities are formally documented and centrally-managed by the entity's Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) team, or similar function. ▪ Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP) associated with CFG domain capabilities are well-documented and kept current by process owners. ▪ A configuration management team, or similar function, is appropriately staffed and supported to implement and maintain CFG domain capabilities. ▪ Technology is leveraged to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of configuration management operations (e.g., Configuration Management Database (CMBD) Asset Management solution). ▪ The entity's Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) team, or similar function, works with business stakeholders and process owners to appropriately scope and reasonably implement cybersecurity and data protection controls associated with CFG domain capabilities to address Minimum Compliance Requirements (MCR) (e.g., applicable statutory, regulatory and/or contractual requirements) and Discretionary Security Requirements (DSR) (e.g., entity-required controls). ▪ An implemented and operational capability exists to review and update baseline configurations: (1) At least annually; (2) When required due to so; or (3) As part of system component installations and upgrades.

Level 4 — Quantitatively Controlled

Configuration Management (CFG) capabilities, in addition to being standardized across the entity and centrally managed to ensure consistency across Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD), efforts are metrics driven to provide sufficient insight for decision makers to predict optimal performance, ensure continued operations and/or identify areas for improvement. Capability criteria associated with this control reasonably expect the following criteria to exist: ▪ Applicable SCR-CMM Level 3 (Well Defined) capabilities are implemented and operational. ▪ Metrics reporting includes quantitative analysis of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). ▪ Metrics reporting includes quantitative analysis of Key Risk Indicators (KRIs). ▪ Scope of metrics, KPIs and KRIs covers organization-wide cybersecurity and data protection controls, including functions performed by third-parties. ▪ Organizational leadership maintains a formal process to objectively review and respond to metrics, KPIs and KRIs (e.g., monthly or quarterly review). ▪ Based on metrics analysis, process improvement recommendations are submitted for review and are handled in accordance with change control processes. ▪ Business and technical stakeholders are involved in reviewing and approving proposed changes to evolve capabilities.

Level 5 — Continuously Improving

Configuration Management (CFG) capabilities, in addition to being standardized across the entity and centrally managed to ensure consistency across Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD), efforts are metrics driven to provide sufficient insight for decision makers to predict optimal performance, ensure continued operations and/or identify areas for improvement. Capability criteria associated with this control reasonably expect the following criteria to exist: ▪ Applicable SCR-CMM Level 3 (Well Defined) capabilities are implemented and operational. ▪ Based on predictive analysis, process improvements are implemented according to “continuous improvement” practices that affect process changes. ▪ Stakeholders make time-sensitive decisions to support operational efficiency, which may include automated remediation actions via Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Learning (ML) technologies.

Assessment Objectives

  1. CFG-07_A01 the circumstances requiring secure baseline configuration review / update are defined.
  2. CFG-07_A02 secure baseline configurations are reviewed / updated when required due to organization-defined circumstances.
  3. CFG-07_A03 the frequency of baseline configuration review / update is defined.
  4. CFG-07_A04 secure baseline configurations are reviewed at least annually.
  5. CFG-07_A05 secure baseline configurations are updated when required as a result of the review.
  6. CFG-07_A06 the baseline configuration of the system is reviewed when system components are installed or modified.
  7. CFG-07_A07 the baseline configuration of the system is updated when system components are installed or modified.
  8. CFG-07_A08 the system is reviewed <A.03.04.06.ODP[06]: frequency> to identify unnecessary or nonsecure functions, ports, protocols, connections, and services.
  9. CFG-07_A09 the baseline configuration of the system is reviewed <A.03.04.01.ODP[01]: frequency>.
  10. CFG-07_A10 the baseline configuration of the system is updated <A.03.04.01.ODP[01]: frequency>.

Evidence Requirements

E-AST-12 Secure Baseline Configurations Reviews

Documented evidence of a review process to ensure Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC) are current and applicable (e.g., system configuration settings and associated documentation).

Asset Management

Technology Recommendations

Micro/Small

  • Configuration Management (CM) program
  • Change control program

Small

  • Configuration Management (CM) program
  • Change control program

Medium

  • Configuration Management (CM) program
  • Change control program

Large

  • Configuration Management (CM) program
  • Change control program

Enterprise

  • Configuration Management (CM) program
  • Change control program

The Secure Controls Framework (SCF) is maintained by SCF Council. Use of SCF content is subject to the SCF Terms & Conditions.

Manage this control in SCF Connect

Track implementation status, collect evidence, and map controls to your compliance frameworks automatically.