CS0-003 Vulnerability Management Practice Question
A security team is implementing configuration management for a set of Linux servers in a non-DoD environment. They want to apply a security baseline that provides a balanced approach between security and operational efficiency. Which of the following would be most appropriate?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
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CIS Level 1 Benchmark
CIS Benchmarks offer two levels: Level 1 is intended for environments where usability is still a priority, and Level 2 is for high-security environments. For a non-DoD environment, CIS Level 1 is appropriate.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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CIS Level 1 Benchmark
Why this is correct
The CIS Level 1 Benchmark is designed to deliver a basic, essential security posture that can be rapidly implemented across systems with minimal disruption to business operations. It focuses on disabling unnecessary services, configuring basic logging, and enforcing standard access controls without breaking application functionality. This makes it the ideal starting point for general enterprise configuration management.
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OWASP Top 10
Why it's wrong here
The OWASP Top 10 is a critical awareness document representing the most common security risks for web applications, such as injection and broken access control. It does not provide system-level configuration baselines or operating system hardening guidelines. Implementing configuration management for operating systems requires OS-specific benchmarks rather than application-layer vulnerability frameworks.
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CIS Level 2 Benchmark
Why it's wrong here
CIS Level 2 Benchmarks are intended for highly secure environments where data protection is paramount and some reduction in system utility or performance is acceptable. These profiles introduce defense-in-depth measures that can cause operational friction or compatibility issues if applied to standard enterprise systems without extensive testing. Consequently, they are too restrictive for a baseline configuration management rollout.
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STIG for Linux
Why it's wrong here
Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs) are highly stringent configuration standards created by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) for United States Department of Defense systems. While highly secure, STIGs are notoriously restrictive, complex to implement, and can easily break commercial off-the-shelf software. They are generally inappropriate and overly burdensome for standard, non-military enterprise environments.
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Network Baseline and Anomaly Detection
Key term
Security
Security in IT is the practice of protecting systems, networks, and data from unauthorized access, damage, or theft.
Key term
Security baseline
A security baseline is a documented minimum set of security configurations and settings that must be applied to a system, device, or network to ensure a known secure starting point.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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