Avoiding Audit Failures Through Automated Compliance and CIS Alignment

Overview

A mid-sized regional bank partnered with ImagineX to develop and operationalize a configuration management program as part of their multi-year Asset Management Maturity initiative. The program aimed to align technology hardening standards with CIS Controls, improve compliance monitoring, and ensure audit readiness within tight deadlines.

Problem

• Lack of formalized processes for implementing and maintaining hardening standards

• Gaps between existing technology baselines and CIS Level 1 Controls

• No systematic monitoring or reporting for configuration drift

• Urgent internal audit deadline requiring compliance documentation and readiness

Solution

ImagineX implemented a phased configuration management program, prioritizing technologies by criticality. We mapped hardening standards to CIS Level 1 Benchmarks, integrated monitoring via Qualys SCA, and delivered comprehensive runbooks, drift reports, and exception workflows to operationalize and sustain compliance.

Outcome

• Established enterprise-wide configuration management framework with clear policies, standards, and governance

• Benchmarked technology baselines against CIS Level 1, identifying control gaps and remediation priorities

• Enabled automated monitoring and reporting of configuration drift for faster remediation

• Delivered all requirements ahead of the internal audit deadline, ensuring compliance confidence

Technology