During an RMF assessment, what is meant by 'configuration management'?

Configuration management refers to the practice of overseeing and maintaining the performance, security, and integrity of systems over time. In the context of Risk Management Framework (RMF) assessments, configuration management ensures that all aspects of a system's configuration are documented and maintained consistently. This includes hardware, software, and system settings, which are crucial for ensuring that the system remains secure against vulnerabilities and operates as intended.

By implementing configuration management processes, organizations can quickly identify and rectify changes that might negatively impact system performance or security, thereby supporting ongoing risk management efforts. This is vital in maintaining compliance with security standards and ensuring that the systems are resistant to threats or unauthorized changes, which is especially crucial in a Department of Defense context where national security is at stake.

The other options focus on aspects that, while related to information system management, do not accurately capture the core focus of configuration management. Designing user interfaces is specific to software development, disaster recovery plans pertain to contingency planning rather than ongoing management, and tracking personnel changes involves human resources rather than system configurations.