SCAP (Security Content Automation Protocol)

 Security Content Automation Protocol

The most critical components of SCAP (Security Content Automation Protocol) that enable vulnerability scanners to determine if a computer meets a configuration baseline are Extensible Configuration Checklist Description Format (XCCDF) which defines security policies and checks, and Open Vulnerability and Assessment Language (OVAL) which provides the technical details on how to perform those checks on a system, along with Common Platform Enumeration (CPE) for identifying specific software and hardware platforms.

Key points about these components:

XCCDF:

This format specifies the high-level security requirements and configuration checks, mapping policies to technical tests.

OVAL:

This language details how to perform the checks defined in XCCDF on a specific system, including the steps to verify compliance.

CPE:

This component provides a standardized way to identify software and hardware components on a system, allowing for accurate vulnerability assessment