Overview#
Standardized system settings that reduce risk and support compliance. Often codified in hardened images, configuration management, and automated drift detection.
Core objectives#
- Establish shared definitions of Baseline Configuration for security, engineering, and leadership teams.
- Connect Baseline Configuration activities to measurable risk reduction and resilience goals.
- Provide onboarding notes so new team members can quickly understand how Baseline Configuration works here.
Implementation notes#
- Identify the primary owner for Baseline Configuration, the data sources involved, and the systems affected.
- Document the minimum viable process, tooling, and runbooks that keep Baseline Configuration healthy.
- Map Baseline Configuration practices to standards such as ISO/IEC 27001, NIST CSF, or CIS Controls.
Operational signals#
- Leading indicators: early warnings that Baseline Configuration might degrade (e.g., backlog growth, noisy alerts, or missed SLAs).
- Lagging indicators: realized impact that shows Baseline Configuration failed or needs investment (e.g., incidents, audit findings).
- Feedback loops: retrospectives and metrics reviews that tune Baseline Configuration continuously.
Related practices#
- Align Baseline Configuration with defense-in-depth planning, threat modeling, and disaster recovery tests.
- Communicate updates to stakeholders through concise briefs, dashboards, and internal FAQs.
- Pair Baseline Configuration improvements with tabletop exercises to validate expectations.