1.1.5.2 Ensure 'Do not include Internet Calendar integration in Outlook' is set to Enabled

Information

This policy setting allows you to determine whether or not you want to include Internet Calendar integration in Outlook. The Internet Calendar feature in Outlook enables users to publish calendars online (using the webcal:// protocol) and subscribe to calendars that others have published. When users subscribe to an Internet calendar, Outlook queries the calendar at regular intervals and downloads any changes as they are posted.
If you enable this policy setting, all Internet calendar functionality in Outlook is disabled.
If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, Outlook allows users to subscribe to Internet calendars. The recommended state for this setting is: Enabled.

Rationale:

The Internet Calendar feature in Outlook enables users to publish calendars online (using the webcal:// protocol) and subscribe to calendars that others have published. When users subscribe to an Internet calendar, Outlook queries the calendar at regular intervals and downloads any changes as they are posted.
By default, Outlook allows users to subscribe to Internet calendars. If your organization has policies that govern the use of external resources such as Internet calendars, this feature might enable users to violate those policies.

Solution

To implement the recommended configuration state, set the following Group Policy setting to Enabled.

User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Microsoft Outlook 2013\Account Settings\Internet Calendars\Do not include Internet Calendar integration in Outlook

Impact:

Enabling this setting can cause disruptions for users who subscribe to Internet calendars from within Outlook. These users will have to use another method to access Internet calendar data.

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/552

Item Details

Category: CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT

References: 800-53|CM-6b.

Plugin: Windows

Control ID: 770159609e0e14eeb000365390a9fb9f500515e039e53f670e7fb3715adba96f