PR.DS-8: Hardware Integrity Verification
Hardware integrity verification ensures your organization can detect unauthorized modifications to physical infrastructure before they become security breaches. Under NIST's Cybersecurity Framework, this control requires implementing mechanisms that continuously validate hardware hasn't been tampered with or compromised. For SMBs managing distributed infrastructure, this becomes critical when devices leave your control.
What this means
Hardware integrity verification uses cryptographic checksums, firmware validation, and hardware monitoring tools to confirm that servers, endpoints, and network devices haven't been altered or infected at the firmware level. This goes beyond software security—it validates the underlying hardware itself hasn't been replaced with compromised components or modified with malicious firmware. Organizations must establish baseline hardware configurations and regularly verify that running systems match those approved baselines.
How to comply
- 1.Inventory all hardware assets and document baseline configurations including firmware versions and hardware specifications
- 2.Deploy firmware verification tools that validate hardware integrity at boot time and during system operation
- 3.Implement Secure Boot and Trusted Platform Module (TPM) capabilities on endpoints and servers to cryptographically verify firmware authenticity
- 4.Establish procedures for validating hardware hasn't been tampered with when devices return from off-site use or repair
- 5.Monitor hardware health metrics and alert on anomalies indicating potential tampering or component failure
- 6.Document and test hardware integrity verification procedures annually to ensure detection mechanisms remain effective
Evidence auditors look for
- Firmware baseline documentation for all managed hardware assets
- Hardware integrity check reports from your endpoint management or BIOS validation tools
- Boot logs showing Secure Boot validation results and TPM attestation records
- Procedures for validating hardware after repairs or off-site deployments
- Configuration screenshots showing hardware monitoring and alerting enabled
- Annual test results demonstrating integrity verification catches unauthorized changes
Frequently asked questions
When will FAQs be available?
The FAQ for this control is currently being prepared.
GRCWatch automatically collects hardware configurations and firmware versions from your endpoints, tracks baselines, and flags integrity violations—eliminating manual audits and reducing the time auditors spend validating this control.
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