Introduction

In this chapter, we will expand upon our basic compliance program by implementing and monitoring compliance with Microsoft System Center 2012 Configuration Manager (Configuration Manager).

Configuration Manager can be used to implement compliance for Windows servers, desktops, laptops, and Windows mobile devices, as well as devices that run Mac OS, Android, and iOS operating systems.

Note

Configuration Manager has most of its compliance features under an application section named Compliance Settings. Prior to Configuration Manager 2012, Compliance Settings was known as Desired Configuration Management (DCM).

In this chapter, we will focus on creating Configuration Items, baselines, and compliance rules.

The prerequisites for all recipes in this chapter are as follows:

• An installation of Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2012. The SP1 and R2 versions are also suitable.

• The reporting point site system role must be installed and configured.

• A Windows Active Directory domain...