What does the term 'baselining' refer to in information security?

Baselining in information security refers to the process of capturing a point in time understanding of the current system security configuration. This involves documenting and establishing a set of standards or benchmarks for what is considered normal operation within a system or network. By doing so, organizations can effectively monitor and assess any deviations from this established baseline, which may indicate potential security incidents or vulnerabilities.

Establishing a baseline helps security teams identify unauthorized changes, assess system performance, and enhance incident response efforts. This process also aids in compliance with regulatory requirements by ensuring that systems maintain a consistent and secure configuration over time. Understanding the baseline provides the context needed for assessing whether any changes or anomalies could pose a risk to the security posture of the organization.