Microsoft Defender Antivirus • Release: 7 Benchmark Date: 05 Jan 2026

CAT II V-213443 WNDF-AV-000019

Microsoft Defender AV must be configured to monitor for file and program activity.

Documentable No
Rule ID SV-213443r961194_rule
CCI References
CCI-001242

This policy setting allows configuration of monitoring for file and program activity. If this setting is enabled or not configured, monitoring for file and program activity will be enabled. If this setting is disabled, monitoring for file and program activity will be disabled.

Check Procedure

Verify the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Microsoft Defender Antivirus >> Real-time Protection >> "Monitor file and program activity on your computer to be scanned" is set to "Enabled" or "Not Configured".
 
Procedure: Use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate to the following key: 
HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Real-Time Protection

Criteria: If the value "DisableOnAccessProtection" is REG_DWORD = 0, this is not a finding.

If the value does not exist, this is not a finding.

If the value is 1, this is a finding.

Fix Action

Set the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Microsoft Defender Antivirus >> Real-time Protection >> "Monitor file and program activity on your computer" to "Enabled" or "Not Configured".