What is CIS Control 4 and why is it important?

CIS Control 4 focuses on the secure configuration of enterprise assets and software. It requires organizations to establish a continuous process to manage and ensure that all assets—including endpoints, mobile devices, servers, cloud resources, and software—are configured securely. This is crucial because default configurations often contain vulnerabilities such as default passwords, weak access controls, and unnecessary debugging interfaces. Secure configuration helps prevent unauthorized modifications and reduces exposure to potential attacks.

What are the Implementation Groups (IGs) in CIS Control 4?

Implementation Groups (IGs) are self-assessed categories that prioritize safeguards based on an organization's cybersecurity attributes. IG1 is the most basic level, followed by IG2 and IG3, which represent increasing security requirements. Any safeguard required for IG1 must also be implemented in IG2 and IG3. This tiered approach helps organizations apply controls appropriate to their risk profile.

What are the twelve safeguards of CIS Control 4?

CIS Control 4 includes twelve safeguards, each mapped to a NIST CSF function and a starting Implementation Group. These safeguards cover secure configuration processes, session locking, firewall management, asset management, default account management, disabling unnecessary services, configuring trusted DNS servers, device lockout, remote wipe capability, and workspace separation. For a detailed list and descriptions, visit CIS Control 4 Explained.

Where can I find more information about CIS Control 4?

You can find a comprehensive explanation of CIS Control 4, including its safeguards and implementation guidance, at this page.

What cybersecurity solutions does IONIX offer?

IONIX specializes in cybersecurity solutions focused on attack surface risk management. Its platform provides Attack Surface Discovery, Risk Assessment, Risk Prioritization, and Risk Remediation. Key features include discovering all relevant assets, monitoring changes in your attack surface, and reducing noise for more efficient security operations.

What are the key capabilities and benefits of IONIX?

IONIX offers complete external web footprint identification, proactive security management, real attack surface visibility, and continuous discovery and inventory of internet-facing assets. These capabilities help organizations improve risk management, reduce mean time to resolution (MTTR), and optimize security operations.

What integrations does IONIX support?

IONIX integrates with tools such as Jira, ServiceNow, Slack, Splunk, Microsoft Sentinel, Palo Alto Cortex/Demisto, and AWS services including AWS Control Tower, AWS PrivateLink, and pre-trained Amazon SageMaker Models. For a full list, visit IONIX Integrations.

Does IONIX offer an API for integrations?

Yes, IONIX provides an API that supports integrations with major platforms like Jira, ServiceNow, Splunk, Cortex XSOAR, and more. For details, visit IONIX Integrations.

Who can benefit from using IONIX?

IONIX is designed for Information Security and Cybersecurity VPs, C-level executives, IT managers, and security managers across industries, including Fortune 500 companies. Its solutions are tailored for organizations in insurance, financial services, energy, critical infrastructure, IT, technology, and healthcare.

What are some real-world case studies of IONIX customers?

IONIX has helped organizations like E.ON continuously discover and inventory internet-facing assets, Warner Music Group boost operational efficiency, and Grand Canyon Education proactively remediate vulnerabilities. Read these case studies: E.ON, Warner Music Group, Grand Canyon Education.

What business impact can customers expect from using IONIX?

Customers can expect improved risk management, operational efficiency, cost savings, and enhanced security posture. IONIX enables visualization and prioritization of attack surface threats, actionable insights, and streamlined workflows to reduce mean time to resolution (MTTR).

What security and compliance certifications does IONIX have?

IONIX is SOC2 compliant and supports companies with NIS-2 and DORA compliance, ensuring robust security measures and regulatory alignment.

How is IONIX rated for product performance and innovation?

IONIX earned top ratings for product innovation, security, functionality, and usability. It was named a leader in the Innovation and Product categories of the ASM Leadership Compass for completeness of product vision and a customer-oriented, cutting-edge approach to ASM.

How long does it take to implement IONIX and how easy is it to start?

Getting started with IONIX is simple and efficient. Initial deployment takes about a week and requires only one person to implement and scan the entire network. Customers have access to onboarding resources like guides, tutorials, webinars, and a dedicated Technical Support Team.

What support and maintenance services does IONIX provide?

IONIX offers technical support and maintenance services during the subscription term, including troubleshooting, upgrades, and maintenance. Customers are assigned a dedicated account manager and benefit from regular review meetings.

What training and onboarding resources are available for IONIX customers?

IONIX provides guides, tutorials, webinars, and a dedicated Technical Support Team to assist customers during implementation and adoption.

Where can I find guides and resources created by IONIX?

IONIX offers comprehensive guides on cybersecurity topics, including the 18 CIS Controls, exposure management, vulnerability assessments, and more. Visit the IONIX Guides page for detailed articles and actionable advice.

What is the purpose of the IONIX Guides section?

The IONIX Guides section provides resources and insights into cybersecurity topics, tools, and frameworks. These guides help organizations enhance their security posture, understand key concepts, and implement best practices. Topics include Automated Security Control Assessment (ASCA), web application security, exposure management, vulnerability assessments, the OWASP Top 10, CIS Controls, and attack surface management.

Where can I find more information about the 18 CIS Controls?

Learn more about the 18 CIS Controls and their significance for cybersecurity by visiting this page.

CIS Control 4 Explained: Secure Configuration of Enterprise Assets and Software

CIS Control 4 involves the secure configuration of enterprise assets and software. This means establishing a continuous process to manage and ensure that all enterprise assets including endpoints, mobile devices, servers, cloud resources and software are configured securely.

In this article

The Importance of Control 4

Not all software and hardware assets are secure in their default configurations. Common issues include default passwords, weak access control policies and unnecessary debugging interfaces, which can create vulnerabilities across various products. Additionally, enterprises often have unique business requirements that necessitate configuration changes such as enabling legacy protocols or using weak cryptography. This further increases their exposure to potential attacks.

Effectively managing security configurations is crucial. Organizations should apply secure default settings for all assets and ensure that any configuration changes or updates go through a formal review and approval process. This helps prevent unauthorized modifications that could compromise security.

Implementation Groups (IGs)

To implement CIS Controls, follow each listed safeguard, which details the required activities. Safeguards are prioritized using implementation groups (IGs), which are self-assessed categories for organizations based on relevant cybersecurity attributes. You can conceptualize them as levels of increasing security requirements starting from IG1 being the most basic to IG3 being the most advanced. The higher level groups are included in the lower ones.

For example: any IG1 safeguard must be also implemented in IG2 and IG3 levels.

The Safeguards of Control 4

There are twelve safeguards in CIS Control 4. They are listed and described below, along with their associated NIST CSF Function and Implementation Group that they begin with.

Safeguard Number	Safeguard Title	NIST Security Function	StartingImplementation Group
Safeguard 4.1	Establish and Maintain a Secure Configuration Process	Govern	IG1
Safeguard 4.2	Establish and Maintain a Secure Configuration Process for Network Infrastructure	Govern	IG1
Safeguard 4.3	Configure Automatic Session Locking on Enterprise Assets	Protect	IG1
Safeguard 4.4	Implement and Manage a Firewall on Servers	Protect	IG1
Safeguard 4.5	Implement and Manage a Firewall on End-User Devices	Protect	IG1
Safeguard 4.6	Securely Manage Enterprise Assets and Software	Protect	IG1
Safeguard 4.7	Manage Default Accounts on Enterprise Assets and Software	Protect	IG1
Safeguard 4.8	Uninstall or Disable Unnecessary Services on Enterprise Assets and Software	Protect	IG2
Safeguard 4.9	Configure Trusted DNS Servers on Enterprise Assets	Protect	IG2
Safeguard 4.10	Enforce Automatic Device Lockout on Portable End-User Devices	Protect	IG2
Safeguard 4.11	Enforce Remote Wipe Capability on Portable End-User Devices	Protect	IG2
Safeguard 4.12	Separate Enterprise Workspaces on Mobile End-User Devices	Protect	IG3

Frequently Asked Questions

CIS Control 4: Secure Configuration of Enterprise Assets and Software