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The system clock must be synchronized to an authoritative DoD time source.


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-38621 RHEL-06-000248 SV-50422r1_rule Medium
Description
Synchronizing with an NTP server makes it possible to collate system logs from multiple sources or correlate computer events with real time events. Using a trusted NTP server provided by your organization is recommended.
STIG Date
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 Security Technical Implementation Guide 2015-05-26

Details

Check Text ( C-46180r1_chk )
A remote NTP server should be configured for time synchronization. To verify one is configured, open the following file.

/etc/ntp.conf

In the file, there should be a section similar to the following:

# --- OUR TIMESERVERS -----
server [ntpserver]


If this is not the case, this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-43570r1_fix)
To specify a remote NTP server for time synchronization, edit the file "/etc/ntp.conf". Add or correct the following lines, substituting the IP or hostname of a remote NTP server for ntpserver.

server [ntpserver]

This instructs the NTP software to contact that remote server to obtain time data.