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CIS benchmark

CIS benchmark checks are the analysis that measures, item by item, how well running nodes and clusters comply with the CIS (Center for Internet Security) security baseline. The CIS benchmark is a widely used hardening standard: a detailed checklist that defines concrete, per-item settings for configuring each system securely. Instead of asking "what is vulnerable," it measures "how well are the recommended settings being followed," which makes it especially useful for building compliance evidence and objectively measuring your hardening level.

Here is how it works. It compares the actual settings of the target nodes and clusters against each individual CIS benchmark item, one by one, to judge pass / fail, and maps each item to compliance standards. Where K8s cluster checks look at the resource misconfigurations themselves, the CIS benchmark verifies how well the standard is met, item by item. Used from a Server / host service.

  • Analysis : CIS compliance of nodes / clusters
  • What you need : A registered host + kubeconfig (or a service account token)
  • Results : Pass / fail per item + compliance mapping

What it finds​

  • Node / cluster settings that deviate from the CIS benchmark
  • Configurations that fall outside the recommended security baseline
  • Unmet standard-compliance items

Prerequisites​

  • The target server must be registered as a Server / host.
  • A kubeconfig (or service account token) is required.
  • Private clusters connect through an SSH tunnel or a VPN profile.

Handling results​

  • CIS results can be numerous, so review them grouped by resource in priority order.
  • Use the KEV and group badges to find the important items.
  • Settings that are intended per organization policy can be marked as accepted risk to reduce noise.