Guide for Security-Focused Configuration Management of Information Systems

Published

October 11, 2019

Author(s)

Arnold Johnson, Kelley L. Dempsey, Ronald S. Ross, Sarbari Gupta, Dennis Bailey

Abstract

[Includes updates as of October 10, 2019] Guide for Security-Focused Configuration Management of Information Systems provides guidelines for organizations responsible for managing and administering the security of federal information systems and associated environments of operation. Configuration management concepts and principles described in this publication provide supporting information for NIST SP 800-53, Security and Privacy Controls for Federal Information Systems and Organizations. NIST SP 800-128 assumes that information security is an integral part of an organization's overall configuration management. The focus of this document is on implementation of the information system security aspects of configuration management, and as such the term security-focused configuration management (SecCM) is used to emphasize the concentration on information security. In addition to the fundamental concepts associated with SecCM, the process of applying SecCM practices to information systems is described. The goal of SecCM activities is to manage and monitor the configurations of information systems to achieve adequate security and minimize organizational risk while supporting the desired business functionality and services.

Citation

Special Publication (NIST SP) - 800-128

Report Number

800-128

NIST Pub Series

Special Publication (NIST SP)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Supercedes Publication

Guide for Security-Focused Configuration Management of Information Systems

Download Paper

DOI Link

Keywords

Configuration management, information systems, security program, risk management framework, security-focused continuous monitoring, SecCM, control, monitoring, security content automation protocol (SCAP).

Citation

Johnson, A. , Dempsey, K. , Ross, R. , Gupta, S. and Bailey, D. (2019), Guide for Security-Focused Configuration Management of Information Systems, Special Publication (NIST SP), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-128 (Accessed October 2, 2025)