Configuration Management Policy (CM Family) Template
Defines configuration management requirements including baseline configurations, change control, and configuration monitoring, aligned with NIST SP 800-53 CM control family.
What This Policy Covers
Required Sections
A compliant Configuration Management Policy (CM Family) for NIST SP 800-53 must include the following8 sections. Each section addresses a specific control requirement that auditors will review.
Purpose and Scope
Policy objectives and applicability (CM-1).
Baseline Configuration
Configuration baseline development and maintenance (CM-2).
Configuration Change Control
Change request, review, and approval processes (CM-3).
Security Impact Analysis
Assessing security impact of proposed changes (CM-4).
Configuration Settings
Hardening standards and security configuration (CM-6).
Least Functionality
Restricting unnecessary functions, ports, and services (CM-7).
Software Usage Restrictions
Authorized software and installation policies (CM-10, CM-11).
Configuration Monitoring
Automated configuration drift detection and alerting (CM-3).
Generate a Customized Version
This template shows the required structure. PoliWriter generates a fully customized Configuration Management Policy (CM Family) that references your actual cloud providers, identity systems, tools, and team practices — ready for auditor review.
Policy Details
Other NIST SP 800-53 Templates
Establishes access control requirements covering account management, access enforcement, separation of duties, and least privilege, aligned with NIST SP 800-53 AC control family.
Defines audit logging, monitoring, and accountability requirements aligned with NIST SP 800-53 AU control family.
Establishes requirements for security assessments, system authorization, and continuous monitoring, aligned with NIST SP 800-53 CA control family.
Establishes contingency planning requirements including backup, recovery, and continuity of operations, aligned with NIST SP 800-53 CP control family.
Defines requirements for identifying and authenticating users, devices, and services, aligned with NIST SP 800-53 IA control family.
Establishes an incident response capability including preparation, detection, analysis, containment, recovery, and post-incident activities, aligned with NIST SP 800-53 IR control family.
Defines requirements for protecting system communications and data, including boundary protection, cryptography, and denial-of-service protection, aligned with NIST SP 800-53 SC control family.
Establishes requirements for assessing security risks including vulnerability scanning, threat analysis, and privacy impact assessments, aligned with NIST SP 800-53 RA control family.