Maintain Current Contact Details Rule
Ensure compliance by updating and keeping current contact details.
| Rule | Maintain current contact details |
| Framework | cis_v140 |
| Severity | ✔ High |
CIS v1.4.0 Rule: Maintain Current Contact Details
The Center for Internet Security (CIS) v1.4.0 framework emphasizes the importance of maintaining current contact details for security, operational, and compliance purposes. Ensuring that contact information is up-to-date enables timely response to incidents, communication with stakeholders, and adherence to regulatory standards.
Detailed Description
Having updated contact information for key personnel within an organization is essential for:
- Security Incident Response: Quick and effective response to security incidents requires immediate communication with relevant parties, including IT staff, security officers, and possibly law enforcement.
- Business Operations: Accurate contact details facilitate the workflow among teams and ensure that operational issues are addressed efficiently.
- Regulatory Compliance: Many regulations require that organizations maintain accurate records, including contact details, to comply with audits and inquiries.
In the context of the CIS v1.4.0 framework, maintaining current contact details should be part of an organization's security policies and control measures.
Troubleshooting Steps
If issues arise with maintaining or updating contact information, consider the following steps:
Verify Data Collection Process
- Ensure that the process for collecting contact details is secure, efficient, and can handle updates as needed.
Review Update Mechanisms
- Check that mechanisms for updating contact details are user-friendly and that personnel are informed about how to make updates.
Test Communication Channels
- Periodically test the contact channels to ensure they are working correctly and messages are being received.
Audit Contact Lists
- Regularly conduct audits of the contact lists to identify outdated information and prompt individuals to provide current details.
Assess Policy Compliance
- Evaluate whether personnel are following the policy of maintaining current contact information.
Code and CLI Commands
To automate contact validation or update processes, you may consider scripts or command-line tools. Here is an example of pseudocode that might be used to automate email verification:
for contact in contact_list:
if not validate_email(contact.email):
send_email(contact.email, "Please update your contact details.")
The actual code would depend on your organization's infrastructure and programming language of choice.
Step by Step Guide for Remediation
1. Define the Policy
- Clearly outline the policy for maintaining current contact information in your organization's information security policy.
2. Communicate the Policy
- Inform all employees of the importance of keeping their contact details up to date. This can be accomplished through training and periodic reminders.
3. Implement Mechanisms for Updating
- Provide tools or platforms where employees can easily update their contact information.
4. Perform Regular Audits
- Schedule and conduct audits of contact details at regular intervals or upon any organizational change that might affect contact information.
5. Enforce the Policy
- Take action to enforce the policy when contact details are found to be outdated. This might include follow-ups with the individuals or teams responsible.
6. Report Compliance
- Maintain reports on the state of contact details for compliance with internal policies and external regulations.
By ensuring that current contact details are maintained organization-wide, compliance with the CIS v1.4.0 rule is achieved, supporting both security and operational effectiveness.