What defines the content of a Configuration Item (CI)?

A Configuration Item (CI) is defined as an aggregation of information system components that are managed and tracked throughout their lifecycle. This definition is essential because a CI can encompass various elements, including hardware, software, documentation, and relationships among these components.

Understanding that a CI is not limited to a single component allows for effective change management and configuration management processes. By managing these aggregates, organizations can ensure system integrity and performance because all related components can be addressed collectively.

While the other options describe specific elements or measures related to information systems, they do not encompass the broader definition of a CI. For instance, a list of active users pertains to user management rather than configuration management, a measure of system performance assesses efficiency rather than defining system components, and a set of firewall rules is simply a part of security configurations but does not reflect the entirety of what a CI represents. Thus, recognizing the aggregate nature of CIs is crucial for effective system configuration management.