CIS Hardened Images Configured to CIS Benchmarks Now Available in Microsoft Azure Marketplace

September 19, 2017

East Greenbush, NY

CIS is now offering hardened virtual machine images in the Microsoft Azure Marketplace.

The hardened images are configured according to CIS Benchmarks, which are proven guidelines to safeguard operating systems.

The CIS Hardened Images are a flexible, on-demand computing solution that can be quickly deployed to cost-effectively perform routine computing operations. “These CIS Hardened Images now available in the Azure Marketplace help organizations mitigate common security risks while saving time and costs in their cloud deployments,” said Curtis Dukes, CIS Executive Vice President & General Manager Security Best Practices & Automation.

The CIS Hardened Images in the Azure Marketplace support multiple Microsoft Windows and Linux® operating systems. They will allow users to deploy secure instances based on the CIS Benchmarks configuration standards that are collaboratively developed and used by thousands worldwide.

“Microsoft understands the critical role of security in customers’ digital transformation,” said Ann Johnson, Microsoft Vice President Enterprise & Cybersecurity. “By bringing hardened CIS images to the Microsoft Azure Marketplace, we further our commitment to provide customers with best practice options for information protection.”

CIS Benchmarks provide well-defined configuration best practices to help organizations worldwide assess and improve their cybersecurity. Developed through a collaborative consensus process with security experts, CIS Benchmarks are implemented by organizations ranging from small nonprofits to Fortune 500 companies. More than 100 consensus-based CIS Benchmarks are freely available to the public as PDF downloads.

Security standards and regulatory frameworks that reference the CIS Benchmarks include:

• CIS Controls™ Version 6.1
• Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) Version 3.1 (April 2016)
• National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Guide for Security-Focused Configuration Management of Information Systems
• Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (Fed RAMP) System Security Plan

Learn more about CIS Benchmarks and CIS Hardened Images.

About CIS

CIS is a forward-thinking, non-profit entity that harnesses the power of a global IT community to safeguard private and public organizations against cyber threats. Our CIS Controls and CIS Benchmarks are the global standard and recognized best practices for securing IT systems and data against the most pervasive attacks. These proven guidelines are continuously refined and verified by a volunteer, global community of experienced IT professionals. CIS is home to the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC®), the go-to resource for cyber threat prevention, protection, response, and recovery for U.S. State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial government entities.