What are security baselines?

Security baselines refer to the minimum security controls that must be implemented within an organization to protect its information systems and data. These baselines are crucial because they establish a foundational level of security that must be maintained, ensuring that systems are adequately protected against various threats and vulnerabilities.

By setting minimum security controls, organizations can ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, industry standards, and internal security policies. Security baselines serve as a benchmark for assessing the security posture of systems, helping organizations to conduct audits, perform risk assessments, and identify areas that need improvement. They also provide guidance for system configuration, ensuring that security is consistently applied across all systems and applications.

In contrast to optional measures or advanced configurations, which may provide additional layers of security, security baselines focus on the essential controls necessary to maintain a healthy security environment. They are fundamental to building a secure architecture and creating a culture of security within an organization.