Keeping track of CIS compliance across your infrastructure can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re managing cloud services, databases, or on-premise systems, the complexity grows with each new addition. Let’s walk through how to simplify compliance monitoring using Opscompass.
Understanding CIS Compliance Basics
Before diving into the technical steps, you’ll need to understand what you’re monitoring. CIS Controls form the foundation of your security practices. They’re comprehensive guidelines that protect against cyber threats, encompassing everything from basic access control to sophisticated vulnerability management.
CIS Benchmarks take these controls further. They provide detailed configuration guidelines for:
- Cloud infrastructure (AWS, Azure, GCP)
- Operating systems (Windows)
- Databases (Oracle, SQL Server)
- Virtualization platforms (VMware)
Check your Compliance Score in Opscompass, calculated by comparing your configurations to benchmark requirements. The system evaluates control points and generates a percentage-based score, providing a clear view of your compliance status.
How Opscompass Monitors CIS Benchmarks and Controls
Opscompass continuously monitors IT environments for CIS compliance, providing real-time visibility into security configurations, drift detection, and risk assessment. Here’s how Opscompass streamlines CIS compliance:
Compliance Dashboard: A Centralized View of CIS Compliance and More
Opscompass aggregates compliance data into a single interface, allowing teams to track framework adherence, review benchmark scores, and identify risks in real time.
Features include:
- Framework Status Reports: View compliance scores and total checks for each CIS Benchmark.
- Compliance Snapshot: Graphical representation of security posture across multiple frameworks.
- Risk Assessment Alerts: Instant notifications of high-risk misconfigurations.
The Compliance Dashboard Snapshot shows you a real-time compliance overview. Use this as your command center for compliance monitoring.
Automated Compliance Checks
Opscompass automates compliance checks against CIS AWS Foundations, CIS Azure Benchmarks, CIS Oracle Database, and more. The platform continuously scans environments, identifying areas of non-compliance and providing remediation recommendations.
- Real-time Monitoring: Tracks configuration changes that impact CIS compliance.
- Drift Detection: Flags unexpected changes in security settings that may introduce vulnerabilities.
- Actionable Insights: Prioritizes high-impact fixes to strengthen security posture.
The Compliance Checks dashboard puts all your security insights in one place. Filter through High, Medium, and Low priority issues at the top, then dive into a detailed view of each check.
You’ll see exactly when issues were detected, what resources are affected, and – best of all – how many points you’ll gain by fixing each item. It’s like a roadmap for improving your security score, complete with impact measurements for each fix
Compliance Status for Each Framework
Opscompass categorizes compliance findings based on severity:
- High-Risk: Critical security gaps that require immediate action.
- Medium-Risk: Configuration deviations that need review.
- Low-Risk: Minor issues that should be addressed over time.
Our CIS Benchmark compliance status page displays detailed insights, including:
- Total Compliance Checks: Number of tests performed.
- Issues Identified by Severity: Breakdown of security gaps.
- Remediation Recommendations: Steps to resolve compliance issues.
The Compliance Status view breaks down your CIS benchmark performance in detail. Each category shows its compliance percentage and risk level, with clear indicators for passed and failed controls. It’s your go-to screen for pinpointing exactly where your security needs attention.
License and Cost Optimization
Opscompass helps organizations maintain compliance with CIS Benchmarks by ensuring that software licensing and cost management align with security best practices. CIS Benchmarks often include guidelines for securing database environments, cloud platforms, and virtualization technologies. Opscompass continuously monitors licensing and entitlements to prevent misconfigurations that could result in compliance violations.
For organizations utilizing SQL Server, Oracle, and VMware, Opscompass:
- Tracks licensing and entitlement status to avoid unintentional non-compliance.
- Monitors unlicensed infrastructure changes that could breach CIS security recommendations.
- Prevents costly license mismanagement by providing real-time alerts and actionable remediation steps.
By aligning software asset management with CIS compliance, Opscompass helps organizations reduce risks, optimize costs, and maintain regulatory readiness.
Beyond security, Opscompass ensures that compliance aligns with cost efficiency. Organizations using SQL Server, Oracle, and VMware can track compliance while avoiding unnecessary licensing costs through automated entitlement tracking and contract renewal planning.
Review the Potential License Risk display, which shows the cost impact of compliance issues. This helps you make the business case for compliance investments.
Downloadable Compliance Reports
Opscompass provides compliance reports that help organizations:
- Prepare for audits by showcasing adherence to CIS frameworks.
- Demonstrate security posture to stakeholders and regulatory bodies.
- Track compliance trends over time and address recurring risks.
