Configuration review is a detailed assessment of system, network, and application configurations against security best practices and industry benchmarks such as CIS Benchmarks, NIST guidelines, and vendor hardening guides. Reviewers examine operating system configurations, network device settings, firewall rules, database configurations, web server setups, cloud service configurations, and Active Directory policies to identify misconfigurations that could be exploited by attackers.
Common findings include default credentials, unnecessary services, overly permissive access controls, weak encryption settings, missing security patches, and inadequate logging configurations. Configuration review is a proactive approach that helps organisations reduce their attack surface and ensure that systems are deployed securely. It is often performed as part of a broader security assessment programme alongside penetration testing and vulnerability assessment.
Configuration reviews are required or recommended by compliance frameworks including PCI DSS, ISO 27001, SOC 2, CIS Controls, Cyber Essentials, and NIST CSF. Regular configuration reviews help maintain a secure baseline as systems are updated, new services are deployed, and configurations drift over time.
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Configuration reviews cover Windows and Linux servers, network devices (routers, switches, firewalls), databases, web servers, cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), Active Directory, and application servers.
Common benchmarks include CIS Benchmarks, NIST 800-123, vendor hardening guides (Microsoft, Red Hat, Cisco), DISA STIGs for government systems, and PCI DSS requirements for payment card environments.
Configuration reviews should be performed at least annually, after significant infrastructure changes, and when deploying new systems. Automated configuration monitoring can supplement periodic manual reviews.