What is the primary purpose of CIP-007 R5.2?

CIP-007 R5.2 is focused on the identification and inventory of all enabled default accounts within an organization’s systems. The primary purpose is to ensure that any default accounts—which are often created when software or hardware is installed—are tracked and managed properly. Default accounts can potentially pose a security risk, as they may not have undergone the same scrutiny as regular user accounts.

By maintaining an inventory of these accounts, organizations can ensure they are either disabled or updated as needed, reducing vulnerabilities within critical infrastructure systems. It contributes to a comprehensive security strategy by promoting awareness of potential risks associated with default accounts, allowing for more proactive management of security controls.

This emphasis on inventorying default accounts helps organizations to supplement other security measures, such as enforcing password policies or changing default passwords. Thus, while those options might be relevant for enhancing security, the specific goal of CIP-007 R5.2 centers around the identification aspect, ensuring that organizations have a clear understanding of their account landscape.