OMB has issued updated guidance on the secure configuration of federal desktop computers running the Microsoft Windows operating system.
A memo from OMB last March, "Implementation of Commonly Accepted Security Configurations for Windows Operating Systems," had directed agencies with Windows XP through Vista to adopt the federal desktop core configuration – FDCC, to standardize the security configurations of the government’s computers.
To coincide with the release of FDCC "major version 1.0, a new "Security Content Automation Protocol" – SCAP – has also been made available.
At this time, the FDCC is comprised of settings located at the National Institute of Standards and Technology website. Those can be checked using the updated SCAP Content and SCAP-validated tools with FDCC Scanning capability as specified on the NIST website.