2.1.1.1 Ensure time synchronization is in use

Information

System time should be synchronized between all systems in an environment. This is typically done by establishing an authoritative time server or set of servers and having all systems synchronize their clocks to them.

Rationale:

Time synchronization is important to support time sensitive security mechanisms like Kerberos and also ensures log files have consistent time records across the enterprise, which aids in forensic investigations.

Solution

On physical systems or virtual systems where host based time synchronization is not available run one of the following commands to install either ntp or chrony :

# yum install ntp

Or

# yum install chrony

On virtual systems where host based time synchronization is available consult your virtualization software documentation and setup host based synchronization.

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/2449

Item Details

Category: AUDIT AND ACCOUNTABILITY

References: 800-53|AU-8, CSCv7|6.1

Plugin: Unix

Control ID: 2457a479f1412b3c64775062b13677bdf748cc4dcc9fa64e1754ad3b7298f4ad