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Minimum Baseline Security Standard Development

MBSS Development · Secure configuration standards

One secure standard for every build.

We write the minimum security configuration each of your system types must meet, research it against vendor benchmarks and hardening guidance, and explain every control so your teams can build to it, check it and prove it.

1 MBSS per system

Every control described and justified

5 steps

From inventory to approved baseline

Regulation-aware

Legal duties factored into controls

Row of precision steel gauge blocks with gold edges on black slate

Why it matters

Without a baseline, every build is a guess.

A security floor for every system

Each system type gets a defined minimum level of security, so sensitive information is protected the same way on every server and device.

Clear guidance for builders

Engineers and suppliers get written requirements to build against, instead of relying on memory, habit or a vendor's default install.

Requirements regulators expect

A documented baseline helps meet legal and regulatory duties to protect information, and gives auditors a standard to test against.

How we deliver

Five steps. A standard your teams will use.

Baselines only work when they fit your environment, so we build them with your system owners rather than handing over a generic template.

System inventory

We agree the system types in scope, such as operating systems, databases and network devices, and the versions you run.

Benchmark research

For each type we study vendor recommendations, hardening guidelines, security research institutes and trusted standards.

Fit to your environment

With your system owners we tailor each control to your business needs, regulations and operational constraints.

Write the standard

Each baseline sets the minimum configuration, describes every control and gives our recommendation for applying it.

Review and handover

We review the drafts with your teams, adjust them where needed and hand over final standards ready for approval.

What you receive

The systems covered, what goes inside each standard and how it is used.

Expected outcomes: a consistent security floor across system types, clear build requirements for teams and suppliers, and a standard auditors can test against.

01 · Define

Systems covered

Server operating systems

Databases

Network devices

Security appliances

Endpoints and workstations

02 · Specify

Inside each standard

Minimum security configuration settings

Best practices for the system type

A description of each control

Recommendations for implementation

03 · Govern

How it is used

Reference for new builds and rebuilds

Benchmark for configuration reviews

Evidence for legal and regulatory duties

Track record

Standards work grounded in ISO 27001.

Financial services · Jordan · 2025

ISMS maintained through ISO 27001 recertification

Tech & digital platforms · Jordan · Q4 2025

Internal audit against ISO 27001 delivered

IT Security C&T · ISO 27001

Our own ISMS is certified to ISO 27001

Baselines become policy in ExceedGRC.

Approved baselines can live in ExceedGRC as governed policies, mapped to the controls of ISO 27001, NCA ECC or SAMA CSF. Gap assessments then show which systems meet the standard, and the gaps flow into risk mitigation tracking instead of email threads.

Related services

Set the standard. Then check it holds.

A baseline defines what good looks like. These services check systems against it and keep your wider compliance programme aligned.

Low-Level Configuration Review

Check live systems against your new baselines and get a remediation for every setting that falls short.

Explore configuration review

Compliance

Compliance programmes for NCA ECC, SAMA CSF, CBJ and PCI-DSS that your baselines can feed with evidence.

Explore compliance

High-Level Architecture Review

Confirm the design around your systems is sound before baselines fix each component's settings.

Explore architecture review

Operate & Maintain track

Network+, Security+ and CND pathways for the administrators who will apply and maintain your baselines.

View training tracks

FAQ

Baseline standards, explained.

What IT and compliance leaders ask before commissioning security baselines.

What is a Minimum Baseline Security Standard?

A written set of minimum security configurations that a system type must meet, such as a server operating system or a database. It tells teams exactly how to build and harden that system to protect sensitive information.

Which systems should have a baseline?

Usually every system type that stores or processes sensitive information: servers, databases, network and security devices and endpoints. We agree the list during scoping, based on your environment and priorities.

Do you apply the baselines to our systems?

This service produces the standards. Applying them stays with your teams, and a low-level secure configuration review can later check how closely live systems match each baseline.

How do baselines relate to NCA ECC, SAMA CSF or CBJ rules?

Regulators expect documented, secure configurations. We take your applicable regulations into account, so the baselines help meet legal and regulatory requirements and give auditors a clear standard.

What information should we have ready?

A list of system types and versions, any existing hardening documents, and time with the owners of each platform so every control is realistic for how your systems actually run.

Start your baselines

Share what you run. We'll define the standard.

Share the system types in scope and the regulations you answer to, and a consultant will propose a baseline development plan.

Tell us your system types, versions and regulators

A consultant reviews your environment and needs

We return a baseline development proposal

Thank you. A consultant will contact you to plan your baselines.