Standardize Time Synchronization
Description
Standardize time synchronization. Configure at least two synchronized time sources across enterprise assets, where supported.
Implementation Checklist
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Threats & Vulnerabilities (CIS RAM)
Threat Scenarios
Unreliable Forensic Timeline from Clock Drift
IntegrityInconsistent time synchronization across enterprise assets causes log timestamps to diverge by minutes or hours, making it impossible to accurately reconstruct attack timelines or correlate events across systems during incident investigations.
Log Correlation Failure Masking Coordinated Attacks
ConfidentialitySIEM correlation rules fail to detect multi-stage attacks because timestamps from different log sources are misaligned due to unsynchronized clocks, causing related attack events to appear unrelated across different time windows.
Evidence Inadmissibility Due to Unreliable Timestamps
IntegrityLegal proceedings or regulatory investigations reject log evidence because timestamps cannot be proven accurate, undermining the organization's ability to prosecute attackers or demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements.
Vulnerabilities (When Safeguard Absent)
No Standardized NTP Configuration Across Enterprise Assets
Enterprise assets use different or no NTP servers, causing clock drift between systems that degrades the accuracy and reliability of time-stamped audit log entries used for correlation and forensic analysis.
Single NTP Source with No Redundancy
Assets are configured with only one time source, and if that source becomes unavailable or compromised, clocks drift without detection, degrading the integrity of all time-dependent security operations.
Evidence Requirements
| Type | Evidence Item | Collection Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Technical | Configuration screenshots or exports showing protection controls enabled | Captured quarterly |
| Document | Procedure documentation for protection measures | Reviewed annually |
| Document | Governing policy document (current, approved, communicated) | Reviewed annually |