Securing the Digital Perimeter: A Strategic Guide to CIS Benchmarks and Hexnode UEM Compliance

Introduction: The Critical Role of CIS Benchmarks in Modern Cybersecurity

In an era of sophisticated cyber threats, default system configurations are no longer sufficient. The Center for Internet Security (CIS) Benchmarks serve as the industry’s most trusted, vendor-neutral blueprints for securing IT systems. These benchmarks consist of over 100 sets of configuration guidelines covering everything from operating systems and cloud providers to mobile devices and network software.

Unlike generic security advice, CIS Benchmarks are developed through a consensus-based process involving a global community of cybersecurity practitioners. They are designed to map directly to the CIS Critical Security Controls (CIS Controls) and major regulatory frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and SOC2. By adopting these standards, organizations transition from a reactive security posture to a proactive “hardened” state, effectively closing the gaps such as open ports, weak authentication, and excessive privileges that attackers most frequently exploit.

Achieving this level of hardening manually across a diverse fleet of devices is often a logistical nightmare. This is where Hexnode UEM serves as a force multiplier, automating the deployment, monitoring, and enforcement of CIS-level security at scale.

Understanding CIS Compliance Levels

The benchmarks are categorized into “Profiles” to help organizations balance security with operational necessity:

• Level 1 (Essential Hardening): Recommended for all systems. These settings provide a clear security benefit without significantly impacting the user experience or business workflows.
• Level 2 (High Security/Defense-in-Depth): Intended for environments where security is paramount (e.g., government, finance, or healthcare). These settings offer higher protection but may result in some functional limitations.
• STIG Profile: A specialized profile that aligns with the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) security technical implementation guides.

How Hexnode UEM Operationalizes CIS Standards

Hexnode UEM bridges the gap between theoretical security guidelines and technical implementation through the following core capabilities:

Template-Driven Hardening

Hexnode provides specialized CIS Compliance Templates for Windows and macOS. Instead of requiring IT admins to research hundreds of individual Registry keys or plist settings, Hexnode packages these into pre-configured policies. Applying a “CIS Level 1” policy via Hexnode ensures that every device in your fleet immediately conforms to hundreds of expert-vetted security controls.

Persistent Policy Enforcement

A major challenge in security is “configuration drift”, where users or third-party software alter security settings over time. Hexnode UEM’s agent continuously audits the device state. If a user disables a CIS-mandated feature (like the system firewall or disk encryption), the device is flagged as non-compliant.

Vulnerability Reduction via Application Management

CIS Benchmarks frequently recommend restricting unauthorized software. Hexnode’s Application Management suite allows admins to:

• Allowlist/Blocklist applications to prevent the execution of untrusted code.
• Automate OS Updates to ensure critical security patches are applied within the CIS-recommended windows.
• Mandate the presence of applications configured as required apps.

Visibility and Audit Readiness

Compliance is only as good as your ability to prove it. Hexnode provides:

• Real-time Compliance Dashboards: Instantly identify which devices have deviated from the CIS baseline.
• Detailed Audit Logs: Track every policy change, deployment, and remediation action.
• Automated Reporting: Schedule reports to be sent directly to stakeholders or auditors to demonstrate a continuous commitment to security standards.

Comparison: Manual vs. Hexnode Implementation

Conclusion

Adopting CIS Benchmarks is a foundational step in building a resilient cybersecurity infrastructure. Hexnode UEM removes the complexity of this adoption, providing a centralized platform to deploy, manage, and prove compliance across various platforms.

FAQs

1. Who creates CIS Benchmarks?

   These guidelines are authored by the Center for Internet Security (CIS), a nonprofit entity focused on IT safety.

2. What is the primary objective of CIS Benchmarks?

   The core mission of CIS Benchmarks is to establish a gold standard for secure system configurations. By following these recommendations, organizations can harden their defenses, reduce their attack surface, and align with major regulatory compliance frameworks.

3. Who should adopt CIS Benchmarks?
   Because they are built on cross-industry expertise ranging from government to academia, any organization looking to bolster its digital security can benefit from implementing these standards.