Configuration drift occurs when systems that were once identical begin to diverge due to untracked changes, manual updates, or inconsistent policies. In complex IT environments, even small changes can introduce vulnerabilities or disrupt compliance.
For example, if one server receives a patch and another doesn’t, or if firewall rules are updated in only one environment, the integrity of the overall system can be compromised. Over time, this drift increases the risk of system failures or security breaches.
To maintain compliance and reduce risk, many organizations implement centralized management tools and enforce infrastructure-as-code practices. Automated configuration management ensures consistency across environments and makes it easier to detect anomalies early.
Organizations required to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) often isolate compliant workloads in a CMMC enclave. This controlled environment helps enforce standardized configurations and provides better auditability.
By addressing configuration drift proactively, organizations improve stability, security, and compliance readiness.