CIS Benchmark - for Highest Cloud Security

What Does CIS Benchmark Mean?

CIS Benchmarks are among the best practices you can use to securely configure a target system. They help you protect your IT systems, networks, software, and cloud infrastructure.
The CIS Benchmark is now available for numerous providers across different product families, covering seven core technology categories. All benchmarks share a common foundation: they are developed by a global community of cybersecurity experts. This worldwide collaboration ensures that security best practices are continually identified, refined, and validated.

CIS - The Center for Internet Security

As more and more business operations have shifted to cyberspace, the demands on cloud security have grown significantly. In response, a non-profit organization was founded as early as October 2000 to address these security challenges: the Center for Internet Security. It is an international IT community dedicated to developing, validating, and promoting best-practice solutions that strengthen your cyber defense.

How a CIS Benchmark Is Developed

Every CIS Benchmark begins with defining its scope. Initial working drafts are then discussed, created, and tested. The discussion threads are subsequently published on the associated community website, giving experts worldwide the opportunity to contribute further recommendations. The goal is to reach a consensus within the CIS Benchmark community. Only once that consensus is achieved may the final benchmark be published.

How CIS Benchmarks Are Organized

CIS Benchmarks structure their configuration recommendations across two profile levels.
Level 1 profiles cover baseline configurations that you can implement with minimal effort. The advantage is that these recommendations have little impact on your business functionality.
Level 2 profiles, on the other hand, are designed for high-security environments. Implementing them requires significantly more coordination and planning to keep operational disruption to a minimum.
Both profile levels exist for each of the seven core categories of the CIS Benchmarks.

Operating Systems

This category covers the security configurations of your core operating systems, including Apple OSX, Linux, and Microsoft Windows. It also includes best-practice guidelines for access restrictions, user profiles, and browser configuration. This CIS Benchmark provides an important foundation for both your system hardening and database hardening. Make sure that all configurations align with your IT compliance requirements.

Cloud Providers

These benchmarks address security configurations for cloud providers such as Amazon Web Services, Google, IBM, and Microsoft Azure. They also include guidelines for Identity and Access Management (IAM) and other security measures.

Desktop Software

This CIS Benchmark provides recommendations for securely configuring commonly used software applications, including popular internet browsers, Exchange Server, and Microsoft Office. Since it focuses on data protection, it is particularly relevant for your database hardening. Here too, best practices should go hand in hand with your IT compliance.

Mobile Devices

Mobile operating systems such as iOS and Android are important components of your cloud security. Access from outside the corporate network makes it essential to review and secure all privacy configurations, app permissions, and developer settings. After all, your cloud security depends not only on on-premises system hardening but on a holistic security approach.

Multifunction Printers

The CIS Benchmark for multifunction printers ensures that these devices are securely configured in office environments. It covers regular firmware updates, wireless access configuration, and file sharing.

Network Devices

For your network devices, you need both manufacturer-specific and general security configuration guidelines. The CIS Benchmark provides both.

Server Software

To keep your server software secure, the CIS Benchmark for server software offers a range of best practices. It covers API server settings, server administration controls, and storage constraints for common server software.

Advantages of the CIS Benchmark

The CIS Benchmark offers numerous advantages. Even though you are not obliged to follow it, it can effectively support your configuration management decisions:

• The benchmarks consolidate the collective expertise of the global cybersecurity community.
• They help you implement digital transformation strategies securely.
• They contain regularly updated step-by-step guides for every area of your IT infrastructure.
• The recommended configurations are efficient, sustainable, and easy to implement.
• They promote consistency in your compliance management.

By the way: Even if you leverage the CIS Benchmark in your organization, you should still conduct regular penetration tests. They help you identify existing vulnerabilities and security gaps.

CIS Hardened Images for Cost-Efficient Computing

If you want to perform computing operations cost-efficiently, CIS also offers pre-configured hardened images. The advantage is that you do not need to invest in additional software or hardware. At the same time, a hardened image is significantly more secure than a standard virtual image. This way, you reduce your attack surface and protect yourself simply and effectively against cyberattacks.

CIS Benchmark and IT Compliance

The CIS Benchmark closely aligns with regulatory frameworks for data protection and security. If your organization is subject to regulations such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, you can integrate the benchmark without hesitation. The same applies to HIPAA, PCI DSS, or ISO/IEC 27001. The CIS Benchmark makes it easier to maintain your IT compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions About the CIS Benchmark

Many organizations are not yet familiar with the CIS Benchmark. Here are some common questions you may want to clarify before optimizing your cloud security.

How Often Are the Benchmarks Updated?

How often new benchmarks are published or existing ones updated depends on the community and the technology they cover. There is no fixed schedule.

What Format Does the CIS Benchmark Use?

The benchmark is available as a free PDF. It can also be obtained in other formats such as Word, XML, or Excel.

What If There Is an Error in the Benchmark?

If you discover discrepancies in a CIS Benchmark, you should inform the community. Such issues do occur, and it is important to address them. Maintaining the documents after their release is an integral part of the CIS Benchmark lifecycle.

Do All Configurations Need to Be Made?

The benchmark contains sensible configurations that help you strengthen the security of your IT infrastructure. However, they are not mandatory if they cannot be implemented in your organization.

Conclusion: CIS Benchmarks Are Valuable for Cloud Security

The CIS Benchmark is an important step toward stronger cloud security. It helps you meet your IT compliance requirements and keep your systems consistently secure. Even though the suggested configurations are not mandatory, they significantly enhance your security posture. Combined with regular security checks and penetration tests, you benefit from a well-protected environment for your organization.