# What are CIS Benchmarks and how do they apply to industrial security?

CIS Benchmarks are a set of globally recognised best practices for securing individual software applications and operating systems. In an industrial security context, applying these benchmarks involves hardening workstations, servers, and network equipment to a verified, secure standard. This includes disabling unnecessary services, closing unused ports, and enforcing strong password policies. By following these vendor-neutral guidelines, organisations can establish a robust security baseline for their entire operational technology estate. Learn about [hardening as part of boundary defence](https://www.agilicus.com/compare/port-forwarding/).

For more information, see [Industrial Cyber Security Best Practices](https://www.agilicus.com/white-papers/industrial-cyber-security-best-practices/).