LLMResponse CM.L2-3.4.1.a

I'll help you prioritize both assessment approaches and evidence types for evaluating assessment objective "[a] a baseline configuration is established" within the CM.L2-3.4.1 practice.

Priority of Assessment Approaches

Based on the CMMC Assessment Guide information provided, I recommend prioritizing the three assessment approaches as follows:

1. **Examine (highest priority)** - This should be your primary approach because baseline configurations are primarily documented artifacts. Examining documentation of the established baseline configuration provides direct evidence of compliance.

2. **Interview (medium priority)** - Interviews with personnel responsible for configuration management can verify understanding of and adherence to the baseline configuration, as well as provide context about how it was established.

3. **Test (supportive priority)** - Testing can verify that the baseline configuration is actually implemented, but it's most valuable after you've established what the baseline configuration should be through examination and interviews.

Ranking of Evidence Types

For assessment objective "[a] a baseline configuration is established," I would rank the evidence types as follows:

1. **Documents (highest value)** - Documentation of the established baseline configuration is the most direct evidence. This would include configuration management documentation, system security plans, and formal baseline specifications.

2. **Artifacts (high value)** - Tangible records showing the baseline configuration has been established, such as configuration files, system images, or automated deployment scripts.

3. **Screen Share (medium value)** - Observing configuration management systems or tools showing the established baseline can be valuable supplementary evidence.

4. **Physical Review (lower value)** - While this could verify physical aspects of the configuration (hardware components), it's less critical for establishing that a baseline configuration exists.

Key Assessment Objects to Focus On

When collecting evidence for "[a] a baseline configuration is established," prioritize these assessment objects:

- Configuration management policy that mandates baseline configurations - Documentation describing the baseline configuration - System security plan sections related to baseline configurations - Configuration management plan - System architecture and configuration documentation - System configuration settings and associated documentation

Remember that the assessment objective is specifically about establishing a baseline configuration—not necessarily maintaining it over time (which is addressed in objective [c]). Your evidence should focus on showing that a formal, documented baseline exists as a point of reference for your systems.