[REQ-PAW-064] Configure Network Inspection System (NIS) settings for PAWs

Target Scope

• Applicable Systems: Privileged Access Workstations (PAWs) used for Tier 0 directory administration.
• Operating Systems: Windows 10 Enterprise (1607+) and Windows 11 Enterprise.

Implementation Details

• Priority: Medium
• GPO Path / Registry Location:
  • GPO Path: Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Defender Antivirus\Network Inspection System
  • Registry Location:
    • HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\NIS
      • EnableConvertWarnToBlock = 1 (REG_DWORD)
    • HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\NIS
      • AllowSwitchToAsyncInspection = 1 (REG_DWORD)

Rationale

The Network Inspection System (NIS) inspects network traffic patterns for known exploits. Converting warning verdicts to block enforces inline blocking of zero-day exploits, while allowing async inspection prevents performance overhead from slowing local network interfaces.

Legacy Impact & Compatibility

None.

Implementation Steps

Option A: Group Policy Object (GPO) Configuration (Preferred)

1. Navigate to: Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Defender Antivirus\Network Inspection System
2. Set 'Convert warn verdict to block' to 'Enabled'
3. Set 'Turn on asynchronous inspection' to 'Enabled'

Option B: PowerShell & Registry Configuration (Remediation / Non-GPO)

Download Script: Configure-PawDefenderNis.ps1

# Configure-PawDefenderNis.ps1
$NisPath = "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\NIS"
if (-not (Test-Path $NisPath)) { New-Item -Path $NisPath -Force | Out-Null }
Set-ItemProperty -Path $NisPath -Name "EnableConvertWarnToBlock" -Value 1 -Type DWord -Force
Set-ItemProperty -Path $NisPath -Name "AllowSwitchToAsyncInspection" -Value 1 -Type DWord -Force

To audit the hardening status: Download Script: Get-PawDefenderNisStatus.ps1

# Get-PawDefenderNisStatus.ps1
$Reg = Get-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\NIS" -Name "EnableConvertWarnToBlock" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
$RegAsync = Get-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\NIS" -Name "AllowSwitchToAsyncInspection" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
if (($Reg -and $Reg.EnableConvertWarnToBlock -eq 1) -and ($RegAsync -and $RegAsync.AllowSwitchToAsyncInspection -eq 1)) {
    Write-Output "Compliant"
    exit 0
} else {
    Write-Output "Non-Compliant"
    exit 1
}

Sources & Compliance References

• CIS Microsoft Windows 10 Benchmark: Section 18.9 (Windows Defender Antivirus configuration parameters)
• ANSSI Active Directory Hardening Guide: Protective controls baselines on Privileged Access Workstations