CIS Controls in SharePoint: Best Practices for Securing IT Systems

CIS Controls in SharePoint: Best Practices for Securing IT Systems and the Features to Use Within SharePoint

The Center for Internet Security (CIS) has developed a set of controls that provide a comprehensive framework for ensuring the security of an organization’s IT systems. These controls are designed to be used by organizations of all sizes, from small businesses to large enterprises. In this article, we will discuss the CIS Controls and how they can be implemented in SharePoint.

The CIS Controls consist of 20 controls that cover a range of security topics, including risk management, access control, data protection, and incident response. These controls are organized into three categories: Policy and Procedures, System Security, and User Management.

In this article, we will focus on the implementation of the CIS Controls in SharePoint, with a particular emphasis on best practices for securing IT systems and features to use within SharePoint.

Policy and Procedures

The first category of CIS Controls is Policy and Procedures. These controls focus on establishing policies and procedures that ensure the secure configuration and management of an organization’s IT systems.

In SharePoint, you can implement these controls by:

• Establishing clear policies and procedures for user authentication and authorization
• Implementing role-based access control to restrict access to sensitive information
• Using SharePoint’s built-in workflow features to automate business processes and reduce the risk of human error

System Security

The second category of CIS Controls is System Security. These controls focus on ensuring that an organization’s IT systems are properly configured, patched, and monitored.

In SharePoint, you can implement these controls by:

• Ensuring that SharePoint is properly configured and updated with the latest security patches
• Implementing a web application firewall (WAF) to detect and prevent common web attacks
• Using SharePoint’s built-in logging and monitoring features to track system activity and detect potential security threats

User Management

The third category of CIS Controls is User Management. These controls focus on ensuring that an organization’s IT systems are properly managed, including user authentication, authorization, and account management.

In SharePoint, you can implement these controls by:

• Implementing strong authentication and authorization mechanisms to ensure that users have the right level of access to sensitive information
• Using SharePoint’s built-in features for managing user accounts and permissions
• Establishing clear policies and procedures for handling employee departures and changes in job responsibilities

Best Practices

In addition to implementing the CIS Controls, there are several best practices that can be used to secure IT systems and features within SharePoint.

Some of these best practices include:

• Implementing a least privilege approach, where users only have access to the resources they need to perform their jobs
• Using SharePoint’s built-in encryption features to protect sensitive information
• Regularly reviewing and updating SharePoint configurations and permissions to ensure that they are still relevant and effective

Conclusion

In conclusion, implementing the CIS Controls in SharePoint can help organizations secure their IT systems and prevent potential security threats. By establishing clear policies and procedures, ensuring system security, and managing user accounts effectively, organizations can reduce the risk of a security breach and protect sensitive information.