CFG-09: Retention Of Previous Configurations
Mechanisms exist to retain previous versions of secure baseline configuration to support roll back.
Renumbered: Formerly CFG-02.3 in SCF 2025.4.
Control Question: Does the organization retain previous versions of baseline configuration to support roll back?
General (13)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| GovRAMP | CM-02(03) |
| GovRAMP Low+ | CM-02(03) |
| GovRAMP Moderate | CM-02(03) |
| GovRAMP High | CM-02(03) |
| NIST 800-53 R4 | CM-2(3) |
| NIST 800-53 R5.2 | CM-02(03) |
| NIST 800-53B R5 (moderate) (source) | CM-02(03) |
| NIST 800-53B R5 (high) (source) | CM-02(03) |
| NIST 800-82 R3 | CM-02(03) |
| NIST 800-82 R3 MODERATE OT Overlay | CM-02(03) |
| NIST 800-82 R3 HIGH OT Overlay | CM-02(03) |
| NIST 800-172 R3 | 03.04.06E |
| NIST 800-172A R3 | DS-A.03.04.06E A.03.04.06E.ODP[01] |
US (7)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| USA Federal CMS MARS-E 2.0 | CM-2(3) |
| USA Federal DHS CISA TIC 3.0 | 3.UNI.BRECO |
| USA Federal CJIS Security Policy 6.0 | CM-2(3) |
| USA Federal FedRAMP R5 (moderate) | CM-02(03) |
| USA Federal FedRAMP R5 (high) | CM-02(03) |
| USA Federal IRS 1075 2021 | CM-2(CE-3) |
| USA Texas TX-RAMP Level 2 | CM-02 (03) |
EMEA (2)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| EMEA Germany C5 2026 | OPS-26.04B OPS-27.01B.3 DEV-09.02B DEV-09.01AC DEV-09.02AC |
| EMEA EU DORA RTS 2024 | Article 17.2(e) |
APAC (2)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| APAC Australia ISM June 2026 | ISM-1510 |
| APAC Singapore CCOP CII 2026 | 5.10.1(h) |
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
Configuration Management (CFG) domain capabilities are ad hoc and inconsistent. Capability criteria associated with this control may include: ▪ Policies, standards & procedures associated with CFG domain capabilities provide limited coverage due to the depth and breadth of the existing documentation. ▪ Configuration management-related activities are decentralized (e.g., a localized/regionalized function) and uses non-standardized methods to implement secure, resilient and compliant practices.
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). ▪ Historical versions of configurations are maintained for troubleshooting and forensics purposes.
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 retain previous versions of baseline configuration to support roll back.
Level 4 — Quantitatively Controlled
Utilize SCR-CMM Level 3 criteria definitions: ▪ There are no defined Level 4 criteria, since it is reasonable to assume a quantitatively-controlled process is not necessary to operationalize this control. ▪ While it may be possible to develop “metrics-driven” capabilities for this control, the criteria would be organization-specific to define.
Level 5 — Continuously Improving
Utilize SCR-CMM Level 3 or Level 4 (if available) criteria definitions: ▪ There are no defined Level 5 criteria, since it is reasonable to assume a continuously-improving process is not necessary to operationalize this control. ▪ Level 5 capabilities should be considered “world-class” where the control builds on Level 4 capabilities, but are continuously improving through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and/or Machine Learning (ML) technologies. ▪ While it may be possible to develop responsive capabilities for this control through the use of AI and/or ML technologies, the criteria would be organization-specific to define.
Assessment Objectives
- CFG-09_A01 the number of previous secure baseline configuration versions to be retained is defined.
- CFG-09_A02 the organization-defined number of previous secure baseline configuration versions is retained to support roll back.
Evidence Requirements
- E-AST-27 Configuration Management
-
Documented evidence of standardized configuration management practices.
Asset Management
Technology Recommendations
Micro/Small
- Document baseline configurations for key systems
Small
- Configuration baseline documentation
- CIS Benchmark hardening guides
Medium
- Configuration management program
- Automated baseline assessment (e.g., CIS-CAT)
Large
- Enterprise CMDB
- Automated configuration compliance scanning
Enterprise
- Enterprise configuration management platform (e.g., Ansible, Puppet)
- CMDB
- Drift detection and remediation