From Data to Decisions: Data-Driven Compliance Insights Derived from Configuration Management Systems

Authors: Nadeem Siddiqui

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37082/IJIRMPS.v14.i1.232971

Short DOI: https://doi.org/hbttzd

Country: United States

Full-text Research PDF File:   View   |   Download

Abstract: In today's security-conscious and highly regulated enterprise environment, compliance is no longer a periodic checklist—it is a continuous strategic function. While many organizations use configuration management systems (CMS) such as Ansible, Puppet, and Chef to enforce infrastructure consistency, few leverage these tools to derive real-time compliance intelligence. This research explores how CMS data, when treated as a first-class compliance asset, enables proactive drift detection, automated policy validation, and audit-ready reporting. Using a hybrid methodology of system architecture analysis and real-world case examination, we identify the technological, organizational, and cultural factors critical for implementing continuous compliance in complex environments. Our work is informed by principles from policy-as-code, resilience engineering, and governance frameworks such as NIST 800-53 and ISO 27001, reinforcing that sustainable compliance is both a technological and sociotechnical achievement.

Keywords: Configuration Management Systems, Compliance Automation, Data-Driven Security, Infrastructure as Code, Policy-as-Code, Ansible, Puppet, InSpec, Drift Detection, Regulatory Compliance, Audit Readiness, DevSecOps.

Paper Id: 232971

Published On: 2026-02-03

Published In: Volume 14, Issue 1, January-February 2026

Share this