System Center Configuration Manager Extensions for SCAP

Published: June 8, 2008   |   Updated: July 14, 2009

 

What’s New

System Center Configuration Manger Extensions for SCAP is the next version of “SCAP Conversion Tool for DCM.” This new release converts Security Content Automation Protocol (SCAP) content for use by desired configuration management (DCM) and DCM reports into SCAP reporting format.

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Click here to get the System Center Configuration Manager Extensions for SCAP from the Microsoft Download Center.

About This Solution Accelerator

The System Center Configuration Manager Extensions for SCAP utilize the desired configuration management (DCM) feature in Microsoft® System Center Configuration Manager 2007 to scan the computers in your environment and then document their level of compliance with the Federal Desktop Core Configuration (FDCC) mandate.

The extensions enable Configuration Manager 2007 to consume Security Content Automation Protocol (SCAP) data streams, assess systems for compliance, and generate report results in SCAP format. Now your organization can leverage its existing Configuration Manager 2007 infrastructure to ensure that the computers you manage meet this federal compliance requirement and generate the requisite FDCC reports for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

If your organization is affected by the FDCC mandate, these extensions might be very valuable to you.

Included in the Download

The System Center Configuration Manager Extensions for SCAP download includes the following components:

  • ConfigMgr_Extensions_for_SCAP.msi: This Microsoft Windows Installer (.msi) file includes the command-line tools that you use to convert SCAP data files to DCM Configuration Packs and also convert DCM reports into SCAP format and the following two documents.
  • System Center ConfigMgr Extensions for SCAP User Guide.docx: This user guide provides instructions for the tool.
  • Data Type Mapping for SCAP to DCM.docx: This document illustrates how data elements map between DCM and the SCAP formats including XCCDF and OVAL.
  • System Center ConfigMgr Extensions for SCAP FAQ.docx: This document contains frequently asked questions and answers about the System Center Configuration Manager Extensions for SCAP.
  • ReleaseNotes.rtf

In More Detail

The Security Content Automation Protocol (SCAP) provides a method to use specific existing standards to enable automated vulnerability management, measurement, and policy compliance evaluation.

SCAP is a suite of selected open standards that together provide a consistent method to scan computer systems and automatically identify, measure, and evaluate potential security issues. SCAP enumerates software vulnerabilities, security-related configuration issues, and product names on computer systems. SCAP also provides mechanisms to measure and rank (score) scan results to evaluate the impact of any discovered security issues. For more information, visit the SCAP page of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Web site at https://nvd.nist.gov/scap.cfm.

The Federal Desktop Core Configuration (FDCC) is a security configuration standard mandated by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The FDCC standard currently exists for Windows Vista® and Windows® XP operating systems. While not addressed specifically as the "Federal Desktop Core Configuration" at its inception, the FDCC was originally called for in a March 22, 2007 memorandum from the OMB issued to all Federal agencies and department heads, and a corresponding memorandum from the OMB issued to all Federal agency and department Chief Information Officers (CIOs). For more information, visit the NIST FDCC page at https://nvd.nist.gov/fdcc/.

Related Resources

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Download This Accelerator

Click here to get the System Center Configuration Manager Extensions for SCAP from the Microsoft Download Center.