An excessive number of standard workstation images is a key risk indicator for which management area?

Having an excessive number of standard workstation images is a significant risk indicator in the area of configuration management. Configuration management is concerned with the preservation of the integrity and consistency of systems over time. This includes managing the hardware and software configurations of those systems.

When there are too many workstation images, it indicates that there might be inefficiencies or inconsistencies in how the configurations are handled across the organization. This situation can lead to challenges in maintaining control over the environment, such as difficulties in ensuring all systems have the latest security updates, compliance with organizational standards, and compatibility with applications.

Moreover, an excessive number of images complicates the process of deploying and maintaining systems, as each image may have different settings, applications, and versions of software, making it harder to manage effectively. Therefore, effectively managing configurations and reducing the number of images is essential to minimize risks related to operational efficiency and security vulnerabilities.