CIS Control 2.4: Utilize Automated Software Inventory Tools
Shadow IT and undocumented software create blind spots in your security posture. CIS Control 2.4 requires enterprises to automate software discovery and maintain a living inventory—the foundation of effective asset management and compliance. Without visibility into what's installed across your infrastructure, you cannot control it.
What this means
CIS Control 2.4 mandates the deployment of automated software inventory tools to continuously discover, catalog, and document all installed software across your enterprise. This control moves away from manual, error-prone processes toward continuous, automated visibility. The goal is to maintain an accurate, up-to-date software inventory that includes installed applications, versions, licenses, and deployment locations—enabling organizations to identify unauthorized software, track patch status, manage licenses, and enforce security policies.
How to comply
- 1.Select and deploy an automated software inventory tool that covers all endpoints, servers, and network devices in scope
- 2.Configure the tool to perform continuous or regular automated scans across your entire infrastructure
- 3.Document all discovered software including vendor, application name, version, installation date, and location
- 4.Establish a process to regularly review and validate the inventory against approved software lists
- 5.Integrate inventory data with your asset management and vulnerability management systems
- 6.Define and enforce policies for removing or remediating unauthorized or deprecated software
- 7.Maintain centralized inventory records with audit trails showing changes and discovery dates
Evidence auditors look for
- Screenshots of automated inventory tool configuration showing scheduled scans
- Exported software inventory reports with timestamps and discovery dates
- Documentation of integration between inventory tool and vulnerability scanner
- Approved software list with version control and last review date
- Reports showing removal or remediation of unauthorized software
- Tool configuration settings restricting scan scope and data retention policies
- Audit logs showing inventory changes and reconciliation activities
- Service agreements or procurement records for inventory tooling
Frequently asked questions
When will FAQs be available?
The FAQ for this control is currently being prepared.
GRCWatch automates software inventory discovery and connects it directly to your CIS Controls compliance evidence library, eliminating manual inventory updates and automating the proof collection for audit readiness.
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