03.04.01
Baseline Configuration
Apply baseline configuration to keep systems configured, changed, inventoried, and hardened in a controlled way for CPCSC Level 2 readiness.
CPCSC Level 2 Control
Last updated June 25, 2026
03.04.03Configuration management
CPCSC Level 2 03.04.03: Configuration Change Control
Apply configuration change control to keep systems configured, changed, inventoried, and hardened in a controlled way for CPCSC Level 2 readiness. This guide separates the official ITSP.10.171 control language from practical implementation, evidence, auditor questions, and related controls.
Formal Control Language
Official ITSP.10.171 wording for 03.04.03. Use the Cyber Centre publication and contract requirements as the source of truth for certification, assessment, or procurement submissions.
- Define the types of changes to the system that are configuration-controlled
- Review proposed configuration-controlled changes to the system and approve or disapprove such changes with explicit consideration for security impacts
- Implement and document approved configuration-controlled changes to the system
- Monitor and review activities associated with configuration-controlled changes to the system
Contains information sourced from Government of Canada material used under the Open Government Licence - Canada.
What This Means In Plain English
Configuration Change Control is part of the CPCSC Level 2 Configuration management family. This is about knowing what a secure configuration looks like and controlling how systems move away from that baseline.
For a founder, CISO, engineer, or compliance owner, the practical question is whether configuration change control is visible in real operating evidence: a setting, workflow, ticket, log, approval, review, or exception record that can survive an external assessment.
Level 2 is different from Level 1 because the evidence has to survive an external assessment. A policy statement helps, but the stronger answer is a record that shows who did the work, when it ran, what system setting or workflow enforced it, and how exceptions were handled.
How To Implement It
1
Define the in-scope systems, owners, users, vendors, and data flows affected by configuration change control.
2
Create baselines for in-scope systems, track inventory, review changes, restrict configuration access, and remove unnecessary software and services.
3
Translate the formal requirement into one or two operating procedures: who performs it, how often, where it is recorded, and who approves exceptions.
4
Configure the relevant systems so the control is enforced by identity, endpoint, cloud, network, ticketing, monitoring, vendor, or documentation workflows rather than memory.
5
Keep evidence in a consistent folder, GRC system, ticket queue, or audit workspace so an assessor can trace the control from requirement to implementation to review.
Evidence Normally Gathered
Configuration Change Control: baseline configuration documents.
Configuration Change Control: change tickets.
Configuration Change Control: asset inventory.
Configuration Change Control: configuration screenshots.
Configuration Change Control: software allowlist or inventory.
Configuration Change Control: exception records.
Configuration Change Control: owner assignment and review cadence.
Configuration Change Control: exception, remediation, or POA&M records when the control is not fully implemented.
Common Auditor Questions
Where is configuration change control implemented in the in-scope environment?
Who owns configuration change control, and how do they know it is operating?
Show the evidence that proves configuration change control ran during the assessment period.
What happens when configuration change control fails, is bypassed, or has an exception?
How does this control connect to the system security plan, risk register, POA&M, and related CPCSC controls?
Sources
Source and attribution.
Formal control language is sourced from the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security ITSP.10.171 publication. CPCSC Level 2 assessment context references the Government of Canada CPCSC program overview and ITSP.10.171-01 assessment guidance.
CPCSC Program OverviewITSP.10.171ITSP.10.171-01Open Government Licence - Canada