2.3.9.4 Ensure 'Microsoft network server: Disconnect clients when logon hours expire' is set to 'Enabled'

Information

This security setting determines whether to disconnect users who are connected to the local computer outside their user account's valid logon hours. This setting affects the Server Message Block (SMB) component. If you enable this policy setting you should also enable Network security: Force logoff when logon hours expire (Rule 2.3.11.6).

If your organization configures logon hours for users, this policy setting is necessary to ensure they are effective.

The recommended state for this setting is: Enabled.

Rationale:

If your organization configures logon hours for users, then it makes sense to enable this policy setting. Otherwise, users who should not have access to network resources outside of their logon hours may actually be able to continue to use those resources with sessions that were established during allowed hours.

Impact:

None - this is the default behavior. If logon hours are not used in your organization, this policy setting will have no impact. If logon hours are used, existing user sessions will be forcibly terminated when their logon hours expire.

Solution

To establish the recommended configuration via GP, set the following UI path to Enabled:

Computer Configuration\Policies\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Local Policies\Security Options\Microsoft network server: Disconnect clients when logon hours expire

Default Value:

Enabled. (Client sessions with the SMB service are forcibly disconnected when the client's logon hours expire.)

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/3719