EvidenceSheet
CIS Controls v8.1 · CIS Control 4: Secure Configuration of Enterprise Assets and Software

4.5 Implement and Manage a Firewall on End-User Devices

Run a firewall or port filter on the host itself on every laptop and desktop, configured to deny by default, dropping all traffic other than explicitly permitted services and ports. Implementation Groups: IG1, IG2 and IG3 (part of the IG1 essential cyber hygiene baseline, so every enterprise applies it). Asset type: Devices. Security function: Protect.

Source: CIS Controls v8.1, 4.5. The statement above is our statement of the clause, read from the published text and cited so you can check it against the official text, not the instrument verbatim. Open CIS Controls v8.1 in the compliance library.

Scope: Implementation Groups: IG1, IG2, IG3. Security function: Protect; asset type: Devices.

Each safeguard shows its Implementation Groups. IG1 is the essential baseline for every enterprise, IG2 adds to it, IG3 is all 153. Version 8.1 adds the Govern security function and asks for more processes to be documented; numbering is unchanged from v8.

3
artefacts
2
held by a system
1
at each review
easy
to go live
Endpoint management (MDM / EDR)
where the evidence lives
teal = a system already holds it · olive = produced at each review. To go live: easy when half or more of the artefacts are already held by a system, moderate from a quarter to a half, hard below a quarter.

These are the artefacts auditors commonly ask for on this requirement, our guidance rather than text from the standard. Your assessor decides what is sufficient in your context, and asks for samples across the period when a report covers one.

system holds itEvidence a system already holds

  • Endpoint firewall policy showing default deny inbound and allowed exceptions · Endpoint management (MDM / EDR)
  • Compliance report from endpoint management · Endpoint management (MDM / EDR)

periodic reviewEvidence produced at each review

  • Rule change approvals · Cloud console / configuration management

governing documentDocuments that govern the control

none for this control

First move

Automate the pull from your Endpoint management (MDM / EDR). Device compliance report from the MDM (encryption, EDR agent, OS version) on a daily pull.

Common gaps auditors find

Do this for your whole sheet

Paste the rows you run your controls from and get this mapping for every control at once, with the periodic-review ones flagged and a first move per row. No account for the first run.

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4.4 Implement and Manage a Firewall on Servers · 4.6 Securely Manage Enterprise Assets and Software