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

- Link: https://www.agilicus.com/faq/what-are-cis-benchmarks-and-how-do-they-apply-to-industrial-security/
- Published: 2026-05-11T15:49:51+00:00
- Author: Don Bowman

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/).