Windows Server 2019 Smart Card removal option must be configured to Force Logoff or Lock Workstation.

Severity	Group ID	Group Title	Version	Rule ID	Date	STIG Version
medium	V-205912	SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227	WN19-SO-000150	SV-205912r991589_rule	2025-02-25	3

Description
Unattended systems are susceptible to unauthorized use and must be locked. Configuring a system to lock when a smart card is removed will ensure the system is inaccessible when unattended.

ℹ️ Check
If the following registry value does not exist or is not configured as specified, this is a finding: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\ Value Name: scremoveoption Value Type: REG_SZ Value: 1 (Lock Workstation) or 2 (Force Logoff) If configuring this on servers causes issues, such as terminating users' remote sessions, and the organization has a policy in place that any other sessions on the servers, such as administrative console logons, are manually locked or logged off when unattended or not in use, this would be acceptable. This must be documented with the ISSO.

ℹ️ Check

If the following registry value does not exist or is not configured as specified, this is a finding: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\ Value Name: scremoveoption Value Type: REG_SZ Value: 1 (Lock Workstation) or 2 (Force Logoff) If configuring this on servers causes issues, such as terminating users' remote sessions, and the organization has a policy in place that any other sessions on the servers, such as administrative console logons, are manually locked or logged off when unattended or not in use, this would be acceptable. This must be documented with the ISSO.

✔️ Fix
Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Local Policies >> Security Options >> "Interactive logon: Smart card removal behavior" to "Lock Workstation" or "Force Logoff".