2.3.4.1 Ensure Backup Automatically is Enabled If Time Machine Is Enabled

Information

Backup solutions are only effective if the backups run on a regular basis. The time to check for backups is before the hard drive fails or the computer goes missing. In order to simplify the user experience so that backups are more likely to occur, Time Machine should be on and set to Back Up Automatically whenever the target volume is available.

Operational staff should ensure that backups complete on a regular basis and the backups are tested to ensure that file restoration from backup is possible when needed.

Backup dates are available even when the target volume is not available in the Time Machine plist.

SnapshotDates = ("2020-08-20 12:10:22 +0000","2021-02-03 23:43:22 +0000","2022-02-19 21:37:21 +0000","2023-02-22 13:07:25 +0000","2024-08-20 14:07:14 +0000"

When the backup volume is connected to the computer, more extensive information is available through tmutil See man tmutil

Note: This recommendation needs to be set on devices where Time Machine is enabled. If Time Machine is disabled, the audit is passed by default.

Backups should automatically run whenever the backup drive is available.

Solution

Graphical Method:

Perform the following steps to enable Time Machine automatic backup:

- Open System Settings
- Select General
- Select Time Machine
- Select Options...
- Set Back up frequency to Automatically <every hour/every day/every week>

Profile Method:

Create or edit a configuration profile with the following information:

- The PayloadType string is com.apple.MCX.TimeMachine
- The key to include is AutoBackup
- The key must be set to <true/>

Note: In previous versions of the benchmark, the plist could be set in Terminal In macOS 15 Sequoia that plist is now protected and cannot be written to, so the command line remediation has been removed. Both the profile method and graphical method still configure Time Machine to the required state.

Impact:

The backup will run periodically in the background and could have user impact while running.

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/benchmarks/18634

Item Details

Category: CONTINGENCY PLANNING

References: 800-53|CP-9, 800-53|CP-10, CSCv7|10.1

Plugin: Unix

Control ID: 3f0c6a11c116a0effe9d422b13b73215e80e16fda73578f30361b53e1e527a86