STIGQter: STIG Summary: Microsoft Windows 11 Security Technical Implementation Guide Version: 2 Release: 8 Benchmark Date: 01 Jul 2026:

The Windows 11 time service must synchronize with an appropriate DOD time source.

DISA Rule

SV-253296r1051041_rule

Vulnerability Number

V-253296

Group Title

SRG-OS-000355-GPOS-00143

Rule Version

WN11-00-000260

Severity

CAT III

CCI(s)

CCI-004923 - Compare the internal system clocks on an organization-defined frequency with organization-defined authoritative time source.

Weight

Fix Recommendation

Configure the system to synchronize time with an appropriate DOD time source.

Domain-joined systems use NT5DS to synchronize time from other systems in the domain by default.

If the system needs to be configured to an NTP server, configure the system to point to an authorized time server by setting the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> System >> Windows Time Service >> Time Providers >> "Configure Windows NTP Client" to "Enabled", and configure the "NtpServer" field to point to an appropriate DOD time server.

The US Naval Observatory operates stratum 1 time servers, identified at https://www.cnmoc.usff.navy.mil/Our-Commands/United-States-Naval-Observatory/Precise-Time-Department/Network-Time-Protocol-NTP/. Time synchronization will occur through a hierarchy of time servers down to the local level. Clients and lower-level servers will synchronize with an authorized time server in the hierarchy.

Check Contents

Review the Windows time service configuration.

Open an elevated "Command Prompt" (run as administrator).

Enter "W32tm /query /configuration".

Domain-joined systems (excluding the domain controller with the PDC emulator role):

If the value for "Type" under "NTP Client" is not "NT5DS", this is a finding.

Vulnerability Number

V-253296

Documentable

False

Rule Version

WN11-00-000260

Severity Override Guidance

Check Content Reference

Target Key

5471