What are Baselines used for in security management?

Baselines in security management serve as critical reference points for evaluating the security posture and performance of a system or organization over time. By documenting the normal operational metrics, configurations, and security measures in place, baselines allow organizations to perform comparison analysis in the future. This enables security professionals to identify deviations from the norm, such as unauthorized changes, potential vulnerabilities, or emerging threats. Essentially, when security metrics fall outside established baselines, it prompts investigation and response to maintain the integrity and security of the systems.

The other choices focus on aspects not relevant to the concept of baselines in security management. Setting standards for employee performance pertains to HR practices rather than security. Creating random security checks lacks a structured approach; baselines provide a systematic foundation for evaluations instead. Establishing a team of security analysts involves staffing decisions rather than establishing benchmarks for system security. Therefore, the primary function of baselines is to serve as documentation that aids in future comparisons and assessments of security conditions.