5.3.2 Ensure SSH is running

Information

The operating system must be configured so that all networked systems use SSH for confidentiality and integrity of transmitted and received information as well as information during preparation for transmission.

Rationale:

Without protection of the transmitted information, confidentiality and integrity may be compromised because unprotected communications can be intercepted and either read or altered.

This requirement applies to both internal and external networks and all types of information system components from which information can be transmitted (e.g., servers, mobile devices, notebook computers, printers, copiers, scanners, and facsimile machines). Communication paths outside the physical protection of a controlled boundary are exposed to the possibility of interception and modification.

Protecting the confidentiality and integrity of organizational information can be accomplished by physical means (e.g., employing physical distribution systems) or by logical means (e.g., employing cryptographic techniques). If physical means of protection are employed, then logical means (cryptography) do not have to be employed, and vice versa.

Solution

Configure the SSH service to start and automatically start after reboot with the following command:

# systemctl --now enable sshd.service

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/3636

Item Details

Category: SYSTEM AND COMMUNICATIONS PROTECTION

References: 800-53|SC-8, 800-53|SC-8(1), 800-53|SC-8(2), CCI|CCI-002418, CCI|CCI-002420, CCI|CCI-002421, CCI|CCI-002422, CSCv7|14.4, Rule-ID|SV-204586r603261_rule, STIG-ID|RHEL-07-040310

Plugin: Unix

Control ID: 2b03538c872d4450ead53fcdd167be7b6acff8f36d5cd195672103e97875a17d