Configuration Management and IT Security

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of a Configuration Management (CM) plan?

To handle customer service inquiries regarding IT systems

To evaluate employee performance in IT roles

To define how an organization will manage its hardware and software configurations (correct)

To monitor network traffic for security breaches

Which group is responsible for managing the Configuration Management (CM) plan?

Database Management Team

Security Operations Center (SOC)

Help Desk Support Team

Configuration Control Board (CCB) (correct)

What is a baseline configuration?

The most recent updates applied to software applications

The original state of an IT system before any changes are made

A defined and approved set of configurations for a configuration item (correct)

The default settings provided by manufacturers

What is a configuration item (CI)?

Any hardware or software that has configurable settings and is under control Signup and view all the answers

What role does the Change Control Board (CCB) play in change management?

They control and approve changes throughout the IT system lifecycle Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a component of a Configuration Management Plan?

Sales forecasting for technology products Signup and view all the answers

Why are Configuration Management records valuable after a disaster?

They serve as a reference for restoring accurate system configurations Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'change management process' encompass?

The lifecycle of managing changes in an IT environment, including approvals and implementations Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a baseline configuration in IT systems?

It is valid for a given point in time and may require adjustments. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a Change Control Board (CCB)?

To approve changes to baseline configurations through standardized procedures. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes configuration items (CIs)?

Elements recognized and managed within a specified system or platform. Signup and view all the answers

What is an essential practice to follow when baseline configurations require changes?

Follow predefined change control procedures to implement changes. Signup and view all the answers

How should manual configuration changes be approached?

Utilize the Windows Registry Editor with caution after training. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important for systems security analysts to collaborate with systems administrators?

To benefit from their comprehensive training in product configuration. Signup and view all the answers

What is a major challenge in defining what a configuration item (CI) should be?

The number of files and files versions involved can be overwhelming. Signup and view all the answers

When should the change management process be executed?

Whenever the baseline configuration needs to be updated or changed. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a configuration enumeration?

To collate hardening recommendations with specific configuration items Signup and view all the answers

How do configuration scanning tools differ from configuration change detection tools?

Scanning tools check if configurations are correct, while detection tools track changes in configurations Signup and view all the answers

Which database maintains Common Configuration Enumerations related to security issues?

National Vulnerability Database (NVD) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of security, what does hardening refer to?

Enhancing system configurations to reduce vulnerabilities Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of configuration items is crucial for security professionals?

The details of the changes made to configurations over time Signup and view all the answers

What is a change control board responsible for during the change management process?

Overseeing and evaluating proposed changes to configurations Signup and view all the answers

What does effective configuration management ensure within an IT environment?

That changes are documented and approved before implementation Signup and view all the answers

Why might a configuration scanning tool be paired with a configuration change detection tool?

To enhance functionality and provide more comprehensive security monitoring Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Configuration Management: The Backbone of IT Security

Configuration management (CM) records ensure that a backup facility can be restored to its pre-disaster state.
A configuration management plan defines the process for managing hardware and software configurations, including roles, responsibilities, policies, and procedures.
The configuration control board (CCB) manages the CM plan, ensuring that changes to IT systems are controlled and approved.
A configuration item (CI) is a discrete part of an IT system, such as a piece of hardware or software, with configurable settings.
A baseline configuration is a formally reviewed and approved set of configurations for a CI or IT system, capturing a specific point in time.
Baselines are adjusted as software and hardware versions change, new vulnerabilities emerge, or usage needs evolve.
Configuration changes should be implemented through predefined change control procedures.

Tools for Managing Configuration

Manual Configuration: Direct configuration editing, using tools like registry editors, is suitable for fine-grained analysis and incremental hardening.
Configuration Scanning Tools: Extract and analyze configuration information from IT assets, possibly validating settings.
Common Configuration Enumerations (CCEs): NIST maintains a set of CCEs linked to security issues in the National Vulnerability Database (NVD). Configuration scanners can detect similarities between CCEs and system configurations, offering insights and recommendations for security improvements.
Configuration Change Detection Tools: Monitor IT assets for configuration changes after a baseline is established.
Vendors are integrating features from both scanning and change detection tools, blurring the line between the two.

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Description

This quiz explores the fundamentals of configuration management (CM) and its critical role in IT security. It covers key concepts such as configuration items, baseline configurations, and the change control procedures essential for managing IT systems. Test your understanding of how these processes help maintain system integrity and security.