JAFAN October 15, 2004

Oct 15 2004

4.B.1.aA system operating at Protection Level 1 shall employ the following features:
4.B.1.a(1)Access control, including:
4.B.1.a(1)(a)Denial of physical access by unauthorized individuals unless under constant supervision of technically qualified, authorized personnel.
4.B.1.a(1)(b)Procedures for controlling access by users and maintainers to IS resources, including those that are at remote locations.
4.B.1.a(2)Identification and Authentication (I&A) procedures that include provisions for uniquely identifying and authenticating the users. Procedures can be external to the system (e.g., procedural or physical controls) or internal to the system (i.e., technical). Electronic means shall be employed where technically feasible.
4.B.1.a(3)Parameter Transmission. Security parameters (e.g., labels, markings) shall be reliably associated (either explicitly or implicitly) with information exchanged between systems.
4.B.1.a(4)Recovery procedures and technical system features to assure that system recovery is done in a trusted and secure manner. If any circumstances can cause an untrusted recovery, such circumstances shall be documented and appropriate mitigating procedures shall be put in place.
4.B.1.a(5)Screen Lock. Unless there is an overriding technical or operational problem, a terminal/desktop/laptop screen-lock functionality shall be associated with each terminal/desktop/laptop computer. When activated, a screen-lock function shall place an unclassified pattern onto the entire screen of the terminal/desktop/laptop, totally hiding what was previously visible on the screen. Such a capability shall:
4.B.1.a(5)(a)Be enabled either by explicit user action or if the terminal/desktop/laptop is left idle for a specified period of time (e.g., 15 minutes or more).
4.B.1.a(5)(b)Ensure that once the terminal/desktop/laptop security/screen-lock software is activated, access to the terminal/desktop/laptop requires knowledge of a unique authenticator.
4.B.1.a(5)(c)Not be considered a substitute for logging out (unless a mechanism actually logs out the user when the user idle time is exceeded).
4.B.1.a(6)Session Controls, including:
4.B.1.a(6)(a)Notification to all users prior to gaining access to a system that system usage may be monitored, recorded, and subject to audit. Electronic means shall be employed where technically feasible.
4.B.1.a(6)(b)Notification to all users that use of the system indicates (1) the consent of the user to such monitoring and recording and (2) that unauthorized use is prohibited and subject to criminal and civil penalties. Electronic means shall be employed where technically feasible.
4.B.1.a(7)Data Storage, implementing at least one of the following:
4.B.1.a(7)(a)Information stored in an area approved for open storage* of the information.
4.B.1.a(7)(b)Information stored in an area approved for continuous personnel access control (when continuous personnel access control is in effect), i.e., a 24-hour, 7-day-per-week operational area.
4.B.1.a(7)(c)Information secured as appropriate for closed storage.
4.B.1.a(7)(d)Information encrypted using NSA-approved encryption mechanisms appropriate (see paragraph 1.G.1) for the classification of stored data.
4.B.1.a(8)Data Transmission.
4.B.1.a(8)(a)Data transmission that implements at least one of the following:
4.B.1.a(8)(a)(1)Information distributed only within an area approved for open storage of the information.
4.B.1.a(8)(a)(2)Information distributed via a Protected Distribution System* (PDS).
4.B.1.a(8)(a)(3)Information distributed using NSA-approved encryption mechanisms appropriate (see paragraph 1.G.1) for the classification of the information.
4.B.1.a(8)(a)(4)Information distributed using a trusted courier.
4.B.1.a(8)(b)Dial-up lines, other than those that are protected with nationally certified cryptographic devices or PDSs, shall not be used for gaining access to system resources that process SAP information unless the DAA provides specific written authorization for a system to operate in this manner.
4.B.1.bIf the DAA requires technical controls, a system operating at Protection Level 1 shall employ all of the following features in addition to those mandated in paragraph 4.B.1.a:
4.B.1.b(1)Account Management procedures that include:
4.B.1.b(1)(a)Identifying types of accounts (individual and group, conditions for group membership, associated privileges).
4.B.1.b(1)(b)Establishing an account (i.e., required paperwork and processes).
4.B.1.b(1)(c)Activating an account.
4.B.1.b(1)(d)Modifying an account (e.g., disabling an account, changing privilege level, group memberships, authenticators).
4.B.1.b(1)(e)Terminating an account (i.e., processes and assurances).
4.B.1.b(2)Auditing procedures, including:
4.B.1.b(2)(a)Providing the capability to ensure that all audit records include enough information to allow the ISSO to determine the date and time of action (e.g., common network time), the system locale of the action, the system entity that initiated or completed the action, the resources involved, and the action involved.
4.B.1.b(2)(b)Protecting the contents of audit trails against unauthorized access, modification, or deletion.
4.B.1.b(2)(c)Maintaining collected audit data at least 12 months or one security review cycle, whichever is longer, and reviewing at least weekly.
4.B.1.b(2)(d)The system's creating and maintaining an audit trail that includes selected records of:
4.B.1.b(2)(d)(1)Successful and unsuccessful logons and logoffs.
4.B.1.b(2)(d)(2)Accesses to security-relevant objects and directories, including opens, closes, modifications, and deletions.
4.B.1.b(2)(d)(3)Activities at the system console (either physical or logical consoles), and other system-level accesses by privileged users.
4.B.1.b(3)An Identification and Authentication (I&A) management mechanism that ensures a unique identifier for each user and that associates that identifier with all auditable actions taken by the user. The following must be specified:*
4.B.1.b(3)(a)Initial authenticator content and administrative procedures for initial authenticator distribution.
4.B.1.b(3)(b)Individual and Group authenticators. (Group authenticators may only be used in conjunction with an individual/unique authenticator, that is, individuals must be authenticated with an individual authenticator prior to use of a group authenticator).
4.B.1.b(3)(c)Length, composition, and generation of authenticators.
4.B.1.b(3)(d)Change Processes (periodic and in case of compromise).
4.B.1.b(3)(e)Aging of static authenticators (i.e., not one-time passwords or biometric patterns)
4.B.1.b(3)(f)History of static authenticator changes, with assurance of nonreplication of individual authenticators, per direction in approved SSP.
4.B.1.b(3)(g)Protection of authenticators to preserve confidentiality and integrity.
4.B.1.b(4)Identification and Authentication (I&A). Access to the IS by privileged users who either reside outside of the IS's perimeter or whose communications traverse data links (extranets, Internet, phone lines) that are outside of the IS's perimeter shall require the use of strong authentication (i.e., an I&A technique that is resistant to replay attacks).
4.B.1.cRequirements for system assurance at Protection Level 1.
4.B.1.c(1)Documentation shall include:
4.B.1.c(1)(a)A System Security Plan (see Appendix CAppendix A).
4.B.1.c(1)(b)A Security Concept of Operations (CONOPS). (The Security CONOPS may be included in the System Security Plan). The CONOPS shall at a minimum include a description of the purpose of the system, a description of the system architecture, the system's accreditation schedule, the system's Protection Level, integrity Level-of-Concern, availability Level-of-Concern, and a description of the factors that determine the system's Protection Level, integrity Level-of-Concern, and availability Level-of-Concern.
4.B.1.c(2)System Assurance shall include:
4.B.1.c(2)(a)Features and procedures to validate the integrity and the expected operation of the security-relevant software, hardware, and firmware.
4.B.1.c(2)(b)Features or procedures for protection of the operating system from improper changes.
4.B.1.c(3)Assurance shall be provided by the ISSM to the DAA that the system operates in accordance with the approved SSP, and that the security features, including access controls and configuration management, are implemented and operational.
4.B.2.aA system operating at Protection Level 2 shall employ the following features:
4.B.2.a(1)Access control, including:
4.B.2.a(1)(a)Denial of physical access by unauthorized individuals unless under constant supervision of technically qualified, authorized personnel.
4.B.2.a(1)(b)Procedures for controlling access by users and maintainers to IS resources, including those that are at remote locations.
4.B.2.a(2)Access Control, including a Discretionary Access Control (DAC) Policy. A system has implemented DAC when the Security Support Structure defines and controls access between named users and named objects (e.g., files and programs) in the system. The DAC policy includes administrative procedures to support the policy and its mechanisms. The enforcement mechanisms (e.g., self/group/public controls, access control lists, communities of interest [COIs], encryption) shall allow users to specify and control sharing of those objects by named individuals, or by defined groups of individuals, or by both, and shall provide controls to limit propagation of access rights. The DAC mechanism shall, either by explicit user action or by default, provide that objects are protected from unauthorized access. These access controls shall be capable of including or excluding access to the granularity of a single user. Access permission to an object by users not already possessing access permission shall only be assigned by authorized users.
4.B.2.a(3)Account Management procedures that include:
4.B.2.a(3)(a)Identifying types of accounts (individual and group, conditions for group membership, associated privileges).
4.B.2.a(3)(b)Establishing an account (i.e., required paperwork and processes).
4.B.2.a(3)(c)Activating an account.
4.B.2.a(3)(d)Modifying an account (e.g., disabling an account, changing privilege level, group memberships, authenticators).
4.B.2.a(3)(e)Terminating an account (i.e., processes and assurances).
4.B.2.a(4)Auditing procedures, including:
4.B.2.a(4)(a)Providing the capability to ensure that all audit records include enough information to allow the ISSO to determine the date and time of action (e.g., common network time), the system locale of the action, the system entity that initiated or completed the action, the resources involved, and the action involved.
4.B.2.a(4)(b)Protecting the contents of audit trails against unauthorized access, modification, or deletion.
4.B.2.a(4)(c)Maintaining collected audit data at least 12 months or one security review cycle, whichever is longer, and reviewing at least weekly.
4.B.2.a(4)(d)The system's creating and maintaining an audit trail that includes selected records of:
4.B.2.a(4)(d)(1)Successful and unsuccessful logons and logoffs.
4.B.2.a(4)(d)(2)Accesses to security-relevant objects and directories, including opens, closes, modifications, and deletions.
4.B.2.a(4)(d)(3)Activities at the system console (either physical or logical consoles), and other system-level accesses by privileged users.
4.B.2.a(5)Auditing procedures, including:
4.B.2.a(5)(a)Individual accountability (i.e., unique identification of each user and association of that identity with all auditable actions taken by that individual).
4.B.2.a(5)(b)Periodic testing by the ISSO or ISSM of the security posture of the IS by employing various intrusion/attack detection and monitoring tools. The ISSO/M shall not invoke such attack software without approval from the appropriate authorities and concurrence of legal counsel. The output of such tools shall be protected against unauthorized access, modification, or deletion.
4.B.2.a(6)At the discretion of the DAA, audit procedures that include the existence and use of audit reduction and analysis tools.
4.B.2.a(7)An Identification and Authentication (I&A) management mechanism that ensures a unique identifier for each user and that associates that identifier with all auditable actions taken by the user. The following must be specified:*
4.B.2.a(7)(a)Initial authenticator content and administrative procedures for initial authenticator distribution.
4.B.2.a(7)(b)Individual and Group Authenticators. (Group authenticators may only be used in conjunction with the use of an individual/unique authenticator, that is, individuals must be authenticated with an individual authenticator prior to use of a group authenticator).
4.B.2.a(7)(c)Length, composition, and generation of authenticators.
4.B.2.a(7)(d)Change Processes (periodic and in case of compromise).
4.B.2.a(7)(e)Aging of static authenticators (i.e., not one-time passwords or biometric patterns)
4.B.2.a(7)(f)History of static authenticator changes, with assurance of non-replication of individual authenticators, per direction in approved SSP.
4.B.2.a(7)(g)Protection of authenticators to preserve confidentiality and integrity.
4.B.2.a(8)Identification and Authentication (I&A). Access to the IS by privileged users who either reside outside of the IS's perimeter or whose communications traverse data links (extranets, Internet, phone lines) that are outside of the IS's perimeter shall require the use of strong authentication (i.e., an I&A technique that is resistant to replay attacks).
4.B.2.a(9)Identification and Authentication. In those instances where the means of authentication is user-specified passwords, the ISSO or ISSM may employ (under the auspices of the DAA) automated tools to validate that the passwords are sufficiently strong to resist cracking and other attacks intended to discover a user's password.
4.B.2.a(10)Least Privilege procedures, including the assurance that each user or process is granted the most restrictive set of privileges or accesses needed for the performance of authorized tasks shall be employed.
4.B.2.a(11)Marking procedures and mechanisms to ensure that either the user or the system itself marks all data transmitted or stored by the system to reflect the sensitivity of the data (i.e., classification level, classification category, and handling caveats). Markings shall be retained with the data.
4.B.2.a(12)Parameter Transmission. Security parameters (e.g., labels, markings) shall be reliably associated (either explicitly or implicitly) with information exchanged between systems.
4.B.2.a(13)Recovery procedures and technical system features to assure that system recovery is done in a trusted and secure manner. If any circumstances can cause an untrusted recovery, such circumstances shall be documented and appropriate mitigating procedures shall be put in place.
4.B.2.a(14)Resource Control. All authorizations to the information contained within an object shall be revoked prior to initial assignment, allocation, or reallocation to a subject from the Security Support Structure's pool of unused objects. No information, including encrypted representations of information, produced by a prior subject's actions is to be available to any subject that obtains access to an object that has been released back to the system. There must be no residual data from the former object.
4.B.2.a(15)Screen Lock. Unless there is an overriding technical or operational problem, a terminal/desktop/laptop screen-lock functionality shall be associated with each terminal/desktop/laptop computer. When activated, a screen-lock function shall place an unclassified pattern onto the entire screen of the terminal/desktop/laptop, totally hiding what was previously visible on the screen. Such a capability shall:
4.B.2.a(15)(a)Be enabled either by explicit user action or if the terminal/desktop/laptop is left idle for a specified period of time (e.g., 15 minutes or more).
4.B.2.a(15)(b)Ensure that once the terminal/desktop/laptop security/screen-lock software is activated, access to the terminal/desktop/laptop requires knowledge of a unique authenticator.
4.B.2.a(15)(c)Not be considered a substitute for logging out (unless a mechanism actually logs out the user when the user idle time is exceeded).
4.B.2.a(16)Session Controls, including:
4.B.2.a(16)(a)Notification to all users prior to gaining access to a system that system usage may be monitored, recorded, and subject to audit. Electronic means shall be employed where technically feasible.
4.B.2.a(16)(b)Notification to all users that use of the system indicates (1) the consent of the user to such monitoring and recording and (2) that unauthorized use is prohibited and subject to criminal and civil penalties. Electronic means shall be employed where technically feasible.
4.B.2.a(17)Enforcement of Session Controls, including:
4.B.2.a(17)(a)Procedures for controlling and auditing concurrent logons from different workstations.
4.B.2.a(17)(b)Station or session time-outs, as applicable.
4.B.2.a(17)(c)Limited retry on logon as technically feasible.
4.B.2.a(17)(d)System actions on unsuccessful logons (e.g., blacklisting of the terminal or user identifier).
4.B.2.a(18)Data Storage, implementing at least one of the following:
4.B.2.a(18)(a)Information stored in an area approved for open storage* of the information.
4.B.2.a(18)(b)Information stored in an area approved for continuous personnel access control (when continuous personnel access control is in effect), i.e., a 24-hour, 7-day-per week operational area.
4.B.2.a(18)(c)Information secured as appropriate for closed storage.
4.B.2.a(18)(d)Information encrypted using NSA-approved encryption mechanisms appropriate (see paragraph 1.G.1) for the classification of stored data.
4.B.2.a(19)Data Transmission.
4.B.2.a(19)(a)Data transmission that implements at least one of the following:
4.B.2.a(19)(a)(1)Information distributed only within an area approved for open storage of the information.
4.B.2.a(19)(a)(2)Information distributed via a Protected Distribution System* (PDS).
4.B.2.a(19)(a)(3)Information distributed using NSA-approved encryption mechanisms appropriate (see paragraph 1.G.1) for the classification of the information.
4.B.2.a(19)(a)(4)Information distributed using a trusted courier.
4.B.2.a(19)(b)Dial-up lines, other than those that are protected with nationally certified cryptographic devices or PDSs, shall not be used for gaining access to system resources that process SAP information unless the DAA provides specific written authorization for a system to operate in this manner.
4.B.2.bRequirements for system assurance at Protection Level 2.
4.B.2.b(1)Documentation shall include:
4.B.2.b(1)(a)A System Security Plan (see Appendix C).
4.B.2.b(1)(b)A Security Concept of Operations (CONOPS) (the Security CONOPS may be included in the System Security Plan). The CONOPS shall at a minimum include a description of the purpose of the system, a description of the system architecture, the system's accreditation schedule, the system's Protection Level, integrity Level-of-Concern, availability Level-of-Concern, and a description of the factors that determine the system's Protection Level, integrity Level-of-Concern, and availability Level-of-Concern.
4.B.2.b(2)Documentation shall include guide(s) or manual(s) for the system's privileged users. The manual(s) shall at a minimum provide information on (1) configuring, installing, and operating the system; (2) making optimum use of the system's security features; and (3) identifying known security vulnerabilities regarding the configuration and use of administrative functions. The documentation shall be updated as new vulnerabilities are identified.
4.B.2.b(3)The DAA may direct that documentation also shall include:
4.B.2.b(3)(a)Certification test plans and procedures detailing the implementation of the features and assurances for the required Protection Level.
4.B.2.b(3)(b)Reports of test results.
4.B.2.b(3)(c)A general user's guide that describes the protection mechanisms provided and that supplies guidelines on how the mechanisms are to be used and how they interact.
4.B.2.b(4)System Assurance shall include:
4.B.2.b(4)(a)Features and procedures to validate the integrity and the expected operation of the security-relevant software, hardware, and firmware.
4.B.2.b(4)(b)Features or procedures for protection of the operating system from improper changes.
4.B.2.b(5)System Assurance shall include:
4.B.2.b(5)(a)Control of access to the Security Support Structure (i.e., the hardware, software, and firmware that perform operating system or security functions).
4.B.2.b(5)(b)Assurance of the integrity of the Security Support Structure.
4.B.2.b(6)The ISSM shall provide written verification to the DAA that the system operates in accordance with the approved SSP, and that the security features, including access controls, configuration management, and discretionary access controls, are implemented and operational.
4.B.2.b(7)Additional testing, at the discretion of the DAA.
4.B.2.b(7)(a)Certification testing shall be conducted including verification that the features and assurances required for the Protection Level are functional.
4.B.2.b(7)(b)A test plan and procedures shall be developed and include:
4.B.2.b(7)(b)(1)A detailed description of the manner in which the system's Security Support Structure meets the technical requirements for the Protection Levels and Levels-of-Concern for integrity and availability.
4.B.2.b(7)(b)(2)A detailed description of the assurances that have been implemented, and how this implementation will be verified.
4.B.2.b(7)(b)(3)An outline of the inspection and test procedures used to verify this compliance.
4.B.3.aA system operating at Protection Level 3 shall employ the following features:
4.B.3.a(1)Access control, including:
4.B.3.a(1)(a)Denial of physical access by unauthorized individuals unless under constant supervision of technically qualified, authorized personnel.
4.B.3.a(1)(b)Procedures for controlling access by users and maintainers to IS resources, including those that are at remote locations.
4.B.3.a(2)Access Control, including a Discretionary Access Control (DAC) Policy. A system has implemented DAC when the Security Support Structure defines and controls access between named users and named objects (e.g., files and programs) in the system. The DAC policy includes administrative procedures to support the policy and its mechanisms. The enforcement mechanisms (e.g., self/group/public controls, access control lists, communities of interest [COIs], encryption) shall allow users to specify and control sharing of those objects by named individuals, or by defined groups of individuals, or by both, and shall provide controls to limit propagation of access rights. The DAC mechanism shall, either by explicit user action or by default, provide that objects are protected from unauthorized access. These access controls shall be capable of including or excluding access to the granularity of a single user. Access permission to an object by users not already possessing access permission shall only be assigned by authorized users.
4.B.3.a(3)Access Control, including:
4.B.3.a(3)(a)Some process or mechanism(s) that allows users (or processes acting on their behalf) to determine the formal access approvals (e.g., compartments into which users are briefed) granted to another user. This process or mechanism is intended to aid the user in determining the appropriateness of information exchange.
4.B.3.a(3)(b)Some process or mechanism(s) that allow users (or processes acting on their behalf) to determine the sensitivity level (i.e., classification level, classification category, and handling caveats) of data. This process or mechanism is intended to aid the user in determining the appropriateness of information exchange.
4.B.3.a(4)Account Management procedures that include:
4.B.3.a(4)(a)Identifying types of accounts (individual and group, conditions for group membership, associated privileges).
4.B.3.a(4)(b)Establishing an account (i.e., required paperwork and processes).
4.B.3.a(4)(c)Activating an account.
4.B.3.a(4)(d)Modifying an account (e.g., disabling an account, changing privilege level, group memberships, authenticators).
4.B.3.a(4)(e)Terminating an account (i.e., processes and assurances).
4.B.3.a(5)Auditing procedures, including:
4.B.3.a(5)(a)Providing the capability to ensure that all audit records include enough information to allow the ISSO to determine the date and time of action (e.g., common network time), the system locale of the action, the system entity that initiated or completed the action, the resources involved, and the action involved.
4.B.3.a(5)(b)Protecting the contents of audit trails against unauthorized access, modification, or deletion.
4.B.3.a(5)(c)Maintaining collected audit data at least 12 months or one security review cycle, whichever is longer, and reviewing at least weekly.
4.B.3.a(5)(d)The system's creating and maintaining an audit trail that includes selected records of:
4.B.3.a(5)(d)(1)Successful and unsuccessful logons and logoffs.
4.B.3.a(5)(d)(2)Accesses to security-relevant objects and directories, including opens, closes, modifications, and deletions.
4.B.3.a(5)(d)(3)Activities at the system console (either physical or logical consoles), and other system-level accesses by privileged users.
4.B.3.a(6)Audit procedures that include the existence and use of audit reduction and analysis tools.
4.B.3.a(7)An audit trail, created and maintained by the IS, that is capable of recording changes to the mechanism's list of user formal access permissions. (NOTE: Applicable only if the [Access3] access control mechanism is automated.)
4.B.3.a(8)Auditing procedures, including:
4.B.3.a(8)(a)Individual accountability (i.e., unique identification of each user and association of that identity with all auditable actions taken by that individual).
4.B.3.a(8)(b)Periodic testing by the ISSO or ISSM of the security posture of the IS by employing various intrusion/attack detection and monitoring tools. The ISSO/M shall not invoke such attack software without approval from the appropriate authorities and concurrence of legal counsel. The output of such tools shall be protected against unauthorized access, modification, or deletion. These tools shall build upon audit reduction and analysis tools to aid the ISSO or ISSM in the monitoring and detection of suspicious, intrusive, or attack-like behavior patterns.
4.B.3.a(9)An Identification and Authentication (I&A) management mechanism that ensures a unique identifier for each user and that associates that identifier with all auditable actions taken by the user. The following must be specified:*
4.B.3.a(9)(a)Initial authenticator content and administrative procedures for initial authenticator distribution.
4.B.3.a(9)(b)Individual and Group authenticators. (Group authenticators may only be used in conjunction with the use of an individual/unique authenticator, that is, individuals must be authenticated with an individual authenticator prior to use of a group authenticator).
4.B.3.a(9)(c)Length, composition, and generation of authenticators.
4.B.3.a(9)(d)Change Processes (periodic and in case of compromise).
4.B.3.a(9)(e)Aging of static authenticators (i.e., not one-time passwords or biometric patterns)
4.B.3.a(9)(f)History of static authenticator changes, with assurance of non-replication of individual authenticators, per direction in approved SSP.
4.B.3.a(9)(g)Protection of authenticators to preserve confidentiality and integrity.
4.B.3.a(10)Identification and Authentication. In those instances where the means of authentication is user-specified passwords, the ISSO or ISSM may employ (under the auspices of the DAA) automated tools to validate that the passwords are sufficiently strong to resist cracking and other attacks intended to discover a user's password.
4.B.3.a(11)Identification and Authentication. In those instances where the users are remotely accessing the system, the users shall employ a strong authentication mechanism (i.e., an I&A technique that is resistant to replay attacks).
4.B.3.a(12)Least Privilege procedures, including the assurance that each user or process is granted the most restrictive set of privileges or accesses needed for the performance of authorized tasks shall be employed.
4.B.3.a(13)Marking procedures and mechanisms to ensure that either the user or the system itself marks all data transmitted or stored by the system to reflect the sensitivity of the data (i.e., classification level, classification category, and handling caveats). Markings shall be retained with the data.
4.B.3.a(14)Parameter Transmission. Security parameters (e.g., labels, markings) shall be reliably associated (either explicitly or implicitly) with information exchanged between systems.
4.B.3.a(15)Recovery procedures and technical system features to assure that system recovery is done in a trusted and secure manner. If any circumstances can cause an untrusted recovery, such circumstances shall be documented and appropriate mitigating procedures shall be put in place.
4.B.3.a(16)Resource Control. All authorizations to the information contained within an object shall be revoked prior to initial assignment, allocation, or reallocation to a subject from the Security Support Structure's pool of unused objects. No information, including encrypted representations of information, produced by a prior subject's actions is to be available to any subject that obtains access to an object that has been released back to the system. There must be no residual data from the former object.
4.B.3.a(17)Screen Lock. Unless there is an overriding technical or operational problem, a terminal/desktop/laptop screen-lock functionality shall be associated with each terminal/desktop/laptop computer. When activated, a screen-lock function shall place an unclassified pattern onto the entire screen of the terminal/desktop/laptop, totally hiding what was previously visible on the screen. Such a capability shall:
4.B.3.a(17)(a)Be enabled either by explicit user action or if the terminal/desktop/laptop is left idle for a specified period of time (e.g., 15 minutes or more).
4.B.3.a(17)(b)Ensure that once the terminal/desktop/laptop security/screen-lock software is activated, access to the terminal/desktop/laptop requires knowledge of a unique authenticator.
4.B.3.a(17)(c)Not be considered a substitute for logging out (unless a mechanism actually logs out the user when the user idle time is exceeded).
4.B.3.a(18)Separation of Roles. The functions of the ISSO and the system manager/system administrator shall not be performed by the same person.
4.B.3.a(19)Session Controls, including:
4.B.3.a(19)(a)User notification such that all IS users shall be notified prior to gaining access to a system that system usage may be monitored, recorded, and subject to audit. Electronic means shall be employed where technically feasible.
4.B.3.a(19)(b)The user shall also be advised that use of the system indicates (1) the consent of the user to such monitoring and recording and (2) that unauthorized use is prohibited and subject to criminal and civil penalties. Electronic means shall be employed where technically feasible.
4.B.3.a(20)Enforcement of Session Controls, including:
4.B.3.a(20)(a)Procedures for controlling and auditing concurrent logons from different workstations.
4.B.3.a(20)(b)Station or session time-outs, as applicable.
4.B.3.a(20)(c)Limited retry on logon as technically feasible.
4.B.3.a(20)(d)System actions on unsuccessful logons (e.g., blacklisting of the terminal or user identifier).
4.B.3.a(21)Data Storage, implementing at least one of the following:
4.B.3.a(21)(a)Information stored in an area approved for open storage* of the information.
4.B.3.a(21)(b)Information stored in an area approved for continuous personnel access control (when continuous personnel access control is in effect), i.e., a 24-hour, 7-day-per week operational area.
4.B.3.a(21)(c)Information secured as appropriate for closed storage.
4.B.3.a(21)(d)Information encrypted using NSA-approved encryption mechanisms appropriate (see paragraph 1.G.1) for the classification of stored data.
4.B.3.a(22)Data Transmission.
4.B.3.a(22)(a)Data transmission that implements at least one of the following:
4.B.3.a(22)(a)(1)Information distributed only within an area approved for open storage of the information.
4.B.3.a(22)(a)(2)Information distributed via a Protected Distribution System* (PDS).
4.B.3.a(22)(a)(3)Information distributed using NSA-approved encryption mechanisms appropriate (see paragraph 1.G.1) for the classification of the information.
4.B.3.a(22)(a)(4)Information distributed using a trusted courier.
4.B.3.a(22)(b)Dial-up lines, other than those that are protected with nationally certified cryptographic devices or PDSs, shall not be used for gaining access to system resources that process SAP information unless the DAA provides specific written authorization for a system to operate in this manner.
4.B.3.bRequirements for system assurance at Protection Level 3.
4.B.3.b(1)Documentation shall include:
4.B.3.b(1)(a)A System Security Plan (see Appendix C).
4.B.3.b(1)(b)A Security Concept of Operations (CONOPS) (the Security CONOPS may be included in the System Security Plan). The CONOPS shall at a minimum include a description of the purpose of the system, a description of the system architecture, the system's accreditation schedule, the system's Protection Level, integrity Level-of-Concern, availability Level-of-Concern, and a description of the factors that determine the system's Protection Level, integrity Level-of-Concern, and availability Level-of-Concern.
4.B.3.b(2)Documentation shall include guide(s) or manual(s) for the system's privileged users. The manual(s) shall at a minimum provide information on (1) configuring, installing, and operating the system; (2) making optimum use of the system's security features; and (3) identifying known security vulnerabilities regarding the configuration and use of administrative functions. The documentation shall be updated as new vulnerabilities are identified.
4.B.3.b(3)Documentation shall include:
4.B.3.b(3)(a)Certification test plans and procedures detailing the implementation of the features and assurances for the required Protection Level.
4.B.3.b(3)(b)Reports of test results.
4.B.3.b(3)(c)A general user's guide that describes the protection mechanisms provided, and that supplies guidelines on how the mechanisms are to be used, and how they interact.
4.B.3.b(4)System Assurance shall include:
4.B.3.b(4)(a)Features and procedures to validate the integrity and the expected operation of the security-relevant software, hardware, and firmware.
4.B.3.b(4)(b)Features or procedures for protection of the operating system from improper changes.
4.B.3.b(5)System Assurance shall include:
4.B.3.b(5)(a)Control of access to the Security Support Structure (i.e., the hardware, software, and firmware that perform operating system or security functions).
4.B.3.b(5)(b)Assurance of the integrity of the Security Support Structure.
4.B.3.b(6)System Assurance shall include:
4.B.3.b(6)(a)Isolating the Security Support Structure, by means of partitions, domains, etc., including control of access to, and integrity of, hardware, software, and firmware that perform security functions.
4.B.3.b(6)(b)Using up-to-date vulnerability assessment tools to validate the continued integrity of the Security Support Structure by ensuring that the system configuration does not contain any well-known security vulnerabilities.
4.B.3.b(7)The ISSM shall provide written verification to the DAA that the system operates in accordance with the approved SSP, and that the security features, including access controls, configuration management, and discretionary access controls, are implemented and operational.
4.B.3.b(8)Additional testing.
4.B.3.b(8)(a)Certification testing shall be conducted including verification that the features and assurances required for the Protection Level are functional.
4.B.3.b(8)(b)A test plan and procedures shall be developed and include:
4.B.3.b(8)(b)(1)A detailed description of the manner in which the system's Security Support Structure meets the technical requirements for the Protection Levels and Levels-of-Concern for integrity and availability.
4.B.3.b(8)(b)(2)A detailed description of the assurances that have been implemented, and how this implementation will be verified.
4.B.3.b(9)Testing, as required by the DAA:
4.B.3.b(9)(a)Security Penetration Testing shall be conducted to determine the level of difficulty in penetrating the security countermeasures of the system.
4.B.3.b(9)(b)An Independent Validation and Verification team shall be formed to assist in the security testing and to perform validation and verification testing of the system.
4.B.4.aA system operating at Protection Level 4 shall employ the following features:
4.B.4.a(1)Access control, including:
4.B.4.a(1)(a)Denial of physical access by unauthorized individuals unless under constant supervision of technically qualified, authorized personnel.
4.B.4.a(1)(b)Procedures for controlling access by users and maintainers to IS resources, including those that are at remote locations.
4.B.4.a(2)Access Control, including a Discretionary Access Control (DAC) Policy. A system has implemented DAC when the Security Support Structure defines and controls access between named users and named objects (e.g., files and programs) in the system. The DAC policy includes administrative procedures to support the policy and its mechanisms. The enforcement mechanisms (e.g., self/group/public controls, access control lists, communities of interest [COIs], encryption) shall allow users to specify and control sharing of those objects by named individuals, or by defined groups of individuals, or by both, and shall provide controls to limit propagation of access rights. The DAC mechanism shall, either by explicit user action or by default, provide that objects are protected from unauthorized access. These access controls shall be capable of including or excluding access to the granularity of a single user. Access permission to an object by users not already possessing access permission shall only be assigned by authorized users.
4.B.4.a(3)Access Control, including assurance that each user shall receive from the system only that information to which the user is authorized access.
4.B.4.a(4)Access Control, including a Mandatory Access Control (MAC) Policy that shall require:
4.B.4.a(4)(a)The Security Support Structure to enforce a mandatory access control policy over all subjects and storage objects under its control (e.g., processes, files, segments, devices).
4.B.4.a(4)(b)These subjects and objects to be assigned sensitivity labels that combine hierarchical classification levels and non-hierarchical categories; the labels shall be used as the basis for mandatory access control decisions.
4.B.4.a(4)(c)The Security Support Structure to be able to support two or more such security levels.
4.B.4.a(4)(d)Identification and authentication data to be used by the Security Support Structure to authenticate the user's identity and to assure that the security level and authorization of subjects external to the Security Support Structure that may be created to act on behalf of the individual user are dominated by the clearance and authorization of that user.
4.B.4.a(4)(e)Application of the following restrictions to all accesses between subjects and objects controlled by the Security Support Structure:
4.B.4.a(4)(e)(1)A subject can read an object only if the security level of the subject dominates* the security level of the object (i.e., a subject can "read down").
4.B.4.a(4)(e)(2)A subject can write to an object only if two conditions are met: the security level of the object must dominate the security level of the subject, and the security level of the user's clearance* must dominate the security level of the object (i.e., a subject can "write up," but no higher than the user's clearance).
4.B.4.a(5)Account Management procedures that include:
4.B.4.a(5)(a)Identifying types of accounts (individual and group, conditions for group membership, associated privileges).
4.B.4.a(5)(b)Establishing an account (i.e., required paperwork and processes).
4.B.4.a(5)(c)Activating an account.
4.B.4.a(5)(d)Modifying an account (e.g., disabling an account, changing privilege level, group memberships, authenticators).
4.B.4.a(5)(e)Terminating an account (i.e., processes and assurances).
4.B.4.a(6)Auditing procedures, including:
4.B.4.a(6)(a)Providing the capability to ensure that all audit records include enough information to allow the ISSO to determine the date and time of action (e.g., common network time), the system locale of the action, the system entity that initiated or completed the action, the resources involved, and the action involved.
4.B.4.a(6)(b)Protecting the contents of audit trails against unauthorized access, modification, or deletion.
4.B.4.a(6)(c)Maintaining collected audit data at least 12 months or one security review cycle, whichever is longer, and reviewing at least weekly.
4.B.4.a(6)(d)The system's creating and maintaining an audit trail that includes selected records of:
4.B.4.a(6)(d)(1)Successful and unsuccessful logons and logoffs.
4.B.4.a(6)(d)(2)Accesses to security-relevant objects and directories, including opens, closes, modifications, and deletions.
4.B.4.a(6)(d)(3)Activities at the system console (either physical or logical consoles), and other system-level accesses by privileged users.
4.B.4.a(7)Audit procedures that include the existence and use of audit reduction and analysis tools.
4.B.4.a(8)Auditing procedures, including:
4.B.4.a(8)(a)Individual accountability (i.e., unique identification of each user and association of that identity with all auditable actions taken by that individual).
4.B.4.a(8)(b)Periodic testing by the ISSO or ISSM of the security posture of the IS by employing various intrusion/attack detection and monitoring tools. The ISSO/M shall not invoke such attack software without approval from the appropriate authorities and concurrence of legal counsel. The output of such tools shall be protected against unauthorized access, modification, or deletion. These tools shall build upon audit reduction and analysis tools to aid the ISSO or ISSM in the monitoring and detection of suspicious, intrusive, or attack-like behavior patterns.
4.B.4.a(9)Auditing procedures, including :
4.B.4.a(9)(a)Enforcement of the capability to audit changes in security labels.
4.B.4.a(9)(b)Enforcement of the capability to audit accesses or attempted accesses to objects or data whose labels are inconsistent with user privileges.
4.B.4.a(9)(c)Enforcement of the capability to audit all program initiations, information downgrades and overrides, and all other security-relevant events (specifically including identified events that may be used in the exploitation of covert channels).
4.B.4.a(9)(d)In the event of an audit failure, system shutdown unless an alternative audit capability exists.
4.B.4.a(10)Auditing procedures, including:
4.B.4.a(10)(a)The capability of the system to monitor occurrences of, or accumulation of, auditable events that may indicate an imminent violation of security policies.
4.B.4.a(10)(b)The capability of the system to notify the ISSO of suspicious events and taking the least-disruptive action to terminate the suspicious events.
4.B.4.a(11)An Identification and Authentication (I&A) management mechanism that ensures a unique identifier for each user and that associates that identifier with all auditable actions taken by the user. The following must be specified:*
4.B.4.a(11)(a)Initial authenticator content and administrative procedures for initial authenticator distribution.
4.B.4.a(11)(b)Individual and Group authenticators. (Group authenticators may only be used in conjunction with the use of an individual/unique authenticator, that is, individuals must be authenticated with an individual authenticator prior to use of a group authenticator).
4.B.4.a(11)(c)Length, composition, and generation of authenticators.
4.B.4.a(11)(d)Change Processes (periodic and in case of compromise).
4.B.4.a(11)(e)Aging of static authenticators (i.e., not one-time passwords or biometric patterns)
4.B.4.a(11)(f)History of static authenticator changes, with assurance of non-replication of individual authenticators, per direction in approved SSP.
4.B.4.a(11)(g)Protection of authenticators to preserve confidentiality and integrity.
4.B.4.a(12)Identification and Authentication. In those instances where the means of authentication is user-specified passwords, the ISSO or ISSM may employ (under the auspices of the DAA) automated tools to validate that the passwords are sufficiently strong to resist cracking and other attacks intended to discover a user's password.
4.B.4.a(13)Identification and Authentication. In those instances where the users are remotely accessing the system, the users shall employ a strong authentication mechanism (i.e., an I&A technique that is resistant to replay attacks).
4.B.4.a(14)Identification and Authentication (I&A) management mechanisms that include:
4.B.4.a(14)(a)Implementation and support of a trusted communications path between the user and the Security Support Structure of the desktop for login and authentication. Communication via this path shall be initiated exclusively by the user and shall be unmistakably distinguishable from other paths.
4.B.4.a(14)(b)In the case of communication between two or more systems (e.g. client server architecture), bi-directional authentication between the two systems.
4.B.4.a(15)Labeling procedures, including:
4.B.4.a(15)(a)Internal security labels that are an integral part of the electronic data or media.
4.B.4.a(15)(b)Procedures for managing content, generation, attachment, and persistence of internal labels that are documented in the SSP.
4.B.4.a(15)(c)Security labels that reflect the sensitivity (i.e., classification level, classification category, and handling caveats) of the information.
4.B.4.a(15)(d)Maintenance by the Security Support Structure of a record of the kind(s) of data allowed on each communications channel.
4.B.4.a(15)(e)A means for the system to ensure that labels a user associates with information provided to the system are consistent with the sensitivity levels that the user is allowed to access.
4.B.4.a(16)Labeling procedures, including internal and external labeling such as label integrity, exportation, subject-sensitivity labels, and device labels, as applicable.
4.B.4.a(17)Least Privilege procedures, including the assurance that each user or process is granted the most restrictive set of privileges or accesses needed for the performance of authorized tasks.
4.B.4.a(18)Parameter Transmission. Security parameters (e.g., labels, markings) that are reliably associated (either explicitly or implicitly) with information exchanged between systems.
4.B.4.a(19)Recovery procedures and technical system features to assure that system recovery is done in a trusted and secure manner. If any circumstances can cause an untrusted recovery, such circumstances shall be documented and appropriate mitigating procedures shall be put in place.
4.B.4.a(20)Resource Control. All authorizations to the information contained within an object shall be revoked prior to initial assignment, allocation, or reallocation to a subject from the Security Support Structure's pool of unused objects. No information, including encrypted representations of information, produced by a prior subject's actions is to be available to any subject that obtains access to an object that has been released back to the system. There must be no residual data from the former object.
4.B.4.a(21)Screen Lock. Unless there is an overriding technical or operational problem, a terminal/desktop/laptop screen-lock functionality shall be associated with each terminal/desktop/laptop computer. When activated, a screen-lock function shall place an unclassified pattern onto the entire screen of the terminal/desktop/laptop, totally hiding what was previously visible on the screen. Such a capability shall:
4.B.4.a(21)(a)Be enabled either by explicit user action or if the terminal/desktop/laptop is left idle for a specified period of time (e.g., 15 minutes or more).
4.B.4.a(21)(b)Ensure that once the terminal/desktop/laptop security/screen-lock software is activated, access to the terminal/desktop/laptop requires knowledge of a unique authenticator.
4.B.4.a(21)(c)Not be considered a substitute for logging out (unless a mechanism actually logs out the user when the user idle time is exceeded).
4.B.4.a(22)Separation of Roles. The functions of the ISSO and the system manager/system administrator shall not be performed by the same person.
4.B.4.a(23)Session Controls, including:
4.B.4.a(23)(a)User notification such that all IS users shall be notified prior to gaining access to a system that system usage may be monitored, recorded, and subject to audit. Electronic means shall be employed where technically feasible.
4.B.4.a(23)(b)The user shall also be advised that use of the system indicates (1) the consent of the user to such monitoring and recording and (2) that unauthorized use is prohibited and subject to criminal and civil penalties. Electronic means shall be employed where technically feasible.
4.B.4.a(24)Enforcement of Session Controls, including:
4.B.4.a(24)(a)Procedures for controlling and auditing concurrent logons from different workstations.
4.B.4.a(24)(b)Station or session time-outs, as applicable.
4.B.4.a(24)(c)Limited retry on logon as technically feasible.
4.B.4.a(24)(d)System actions on unsuccessful logons (e.g., blacklisting of the terminal or user identifier).
4.B.4.a(25)Data Storage, implementing at least one of the following:
4.B.4.a(25)(a)Information stored in an area approved for open storage* of the information.
4.B.4.a(25)(b)Information stored in an area approved for continuous personnel access control (when continuous personnel access control is in effect), i.e., a 24-hour 7-day-per-week operational area.
4.B.4.a(25)(c)Information secured as appropriate for closed storage.
4.B.4.a(25)(d)Information encrypted using NSA-approved encryption mechanisms appropriate (see paragraph 1.G.1) for the classification of stored data.
4.B.4.a(26)Data Transmission.
4.B.4.a(26)(a)Data transmission that implements at least one of the following:
4.B.4.a(26)(a)(1)Information distributed only within an area approved for open storage of the information.
4.B.4.a(26)(a)(2)Information distributed via a Protected Distribution System* (PDS).
4.B.4.a(26)(a)(3)Information distributed using NSA-approved encryption mechanisms appropriate (see paragraph 1.G.1) for the classification of the information.
4.B.4.a(26)(a)(4)Information distributed using a trusted courier.
4.B.4.a(26)(b)Dial-up lines, other than those that are protected with nationally certified cryptographic devices or PDSs, shall not be used for gaining access to system resources that process SAP information unless the DAA provides specific written authorization for a system to operate in this manner.
4.B.4.a(27)Separation of Data. Information transmissions of different security levels shall be segregated from each other (e.g., encryption, physical separation).
4.B.4.bRequirements for system assurance at Protection Level 4.
4.B.4.b(1)At the discretion of the DAA, a thorough search for covert channels shall be conducted, and a determination shall be made of the maximum bandwidth of each identified channel.
4.B.4.b(2)Documentation shall include:
4.B.4.b(2)(a)A System Security Plan (see Appendix C).
4.B.4.b(2)(b)A Security Concept of Operations (CONOPS) (the Security CONOPS may be included in the System Security Plan). The CONOPS shall at a minimum include a description of the purpose of the system, a description of the system architecture, the system's accreditation schedule, the system's Protection Level, integrity Level-of-Concern, availability Level of-Concern, and a description of the factors that determine the system's Protection Level, integrity Level-of-Concern, and availability Level-of-Concern.
4.B.4.b(3)Documentation shall include guide(s) or manual(s) for the system's privileged users. The manual(s) shall at a minimum provide information on (1) configuring, installing, and operating the system; (2) making optimum use of the system's security features; and (3) identifying known security vulnerabilities regarding the configuration and use of administrative functions. The documentation shall be updated as new vulnerabilities are identified.
4.B.4.b(4)Documentation shall include:
4.B.4.b(4)(a)Certification test plans and procedures detailing the implementation of the features and assurances for the required Protection Level.
4.B.4.b(4)(b)Reports of test results.
4.B.4.b(4)(c)A general user's guide that describes the protection mechanisms provided, and that supplies guidelines on how the mechanisms are to be used, and how they interact.
4.B.4.b(4)(d)Documentation, including System Design Documentation, if applicable.
4.B.4.b(5)System Assurance shall include:
4.B.4.b(5)(a)Features and procedures to validate the integrity and the expected operation of the security-relevant software, hardware, and firmware.
4.B.4.b(5)(b)Features or procedures for protection of the operating system from improper changes.
4.B.4.b(6)System Assurance shall include:
4.B.4.b(6)(a)Control of access to the Security Support Structure (i.e., the hardware, software, and firmware that perform operating system or security functions).
4.B.4.b(6)(b)Assurance of the integrity of the Security Support Structure.
4.B.4.b(7)System Assurance shall include:
4.B.4.b(7)(a)Isolating the Security Support Structure, by means of partitions, domains, etc., including control of access to, and integrity of, hardware, software, and firmware that perform security functions.
4.B.4.b(7)(b)Using up-to-date vulnerability assessment tools to validate the continued integrity of the Security Support Structure by ensuring that the system configuration does not contain any well-known security vulnerabilities.
4.B.4.b(8)System Assurance. The Security Support Structure shall maintain separate execution domains (e.g., address spaces) for each executing process.
4.B.4.b(9)The ISSM shall provide written verification to the DAA that the system operates in accordance with the approved SSP, and that the security features, including access controls, configuration management, and discretionary access controls, are implemented and operational.
4.B.4.b(10)Additional testing.
4.B.4.b(10)(a)Certification testing shall be conducted including verification that the features and assurances required for the Protection Level are functional.
4.B.4.b(10)(b)A test plan and procedures shall be developed and include:
4.B.4.b(10)(b)(1)A detailed description of the manner in which the system's Security Support Structure meets the technical requirements for the Protection Levels and Levels-of-Concern for integrity and availability.
4.B.4.b(10)(b)(2)A detailed description of the assurances that have been implemented, and how this implementation will be verified.
4.B.4.b(10)(b)(3)An outline of the inspection and test procedures used to verify this compliance.
4.B.4.b(11)Testing shall include:
4.B.4.b(11)(a)Security Penetration Testing to determine the level of difficulty in penetrating the security countermeasures of the system.
4.B.4.b(11)(b)Formation of an Independent Verification and Validation team to assist in the security testing and to perform validation and verification testing of the system.
4.B.5.aA system operating at Protection Level 5 shall employ the following features:
4.B.5.a(1)Access control, including:
4.B.5.a(1)(a)Denial of physical access by unauthorized individuals unless under constant supervision of technically qualified, authorized personnel.
4.B.5.a(1)(b)Procedures for controlling access by users and maintainers to IS resources, including those that are at remote locations.
4.B.5.a(2)Access Control, including a Discretionary Access Control (DAC) Policy. A system has implemented DAC when the Security Support Structure defines and controls access between named users and named objects (e.g., files and programs) in the system. The DAC policy includes administrative procedures to support the policy and its mechanisms. The enforcement mechanisms (e.g., self/group/public controls, access control lists, communities of interest [COIs], encryption) shall allow users to specify and control sharing of those objects by named individuals, or by defined groups of individuals, or by both, and shall provide controls to limit propagation of access rights. The DAC mechanism shall, either by explicit user action or by default, provide that objects are protected from unauthorized access. These access controls shall be capable of including or excluding access to the granularity of a single user. Access permission to an object by users not already possessing access permission shall only be assigned by authorized users.
4.B.5.a(3)Access Control, including assurance that each user shall receive from the system only that information to which the user is authorized access.
4.B.5.a(4)Access Control, including a Mandatory Access Control (MAC) Policy that shall require:
4.B.5.a(4)(a)The Security Support Structure to enforce a mandatory access control policy over all subjects and storage objects under its control (e.g., processes, files, segments, devices).
4.B.5.a(4)(b)These subjects and objects to be assigned sensitivity labels that combine hierarchical classification levels and non-hierarchical categories; the labels shall be used as the basis for mandatory access control decisions.
4.B.5.a(4)(c)The Security Support Structure to be able to support two or more such security levels.
4.B.5.a(4)(d)Identification and authentication data to be used by the Security Support Structure to authenticate the user's identity and to assure that the security level and authorization of subjects external to the Security Support Structure that may be created to act on behalf of the individual user are dominated by the clearance and authorization of that user.
4.B.5.a(4)(e)Application of the following restrictions to all accesses between subjects and objects controlled by the Security Support Structure:
4.B.5.a(4)(e)(1)A subject can read an object only if the security level of the subject dominates* the security level of the object (i.e., a subject can "read down").
4.B.5.a(4)(e)(2)A subject can write to an object only if two conditions are met: the security level of the object must dominate the security level of the subject, and the security level of the user's clearance* must dominate the security level of the object (i.e., a subject can "write up," but no higher than the user's clearance).
4.B.5.a(5)Account Management procedures that include:
4.B.5.a(5)(a)Identifying types of accounts (individual and group, conditions for group membership, associated privileges).
4.B.5.a(5)(b)Establishing an account (i.e., required paperwork and processes).
4.B.5.a(5)(c)Activating an account.
4.B.5.a(5)(d)Modifying an account (e.g., disabling an account, changing privilege level, group memberships, authenticators).
4.B.5.a(5)(e)Terminating an account (i.e., processes and assurances).
4.B.5.a(6)Auditing procedures, including:
4.B.5.a(6)(a)Providing the capability to ensure that all audit records include enough information to allow the ISSO to determine the date and time of action (e.g., common network time), the system locale of the action, the system entity that initiated or completed the action, the resources involved, and the action involved.
4.B.5.a(6)(b)Protecting the contents of audit trails against unauthorized access, modification, or deletion.
4.B.5.a(6)(c)Maintaining collected audit data at least 12 months or one security review cycle, whichever is longer, and reviewing at least weekly.
4.B.5.a(6)(d)The system's creating and maintaining an audit trail that includes selected records of:
4.B.5.a(6)(d)(1)Successful and unsuccessful logons and logoffs.
4.B.5.a(6)(d)(2)Accesses to security-relevant objects and directories, including opens, closes, modifications, and deletions.
4.B.5.a(6)(d)(3)Activities at the system console (either physical or logical consoles), and other system-level accesses by privileged users.
4.B.5.a(7)Audit procedures that include the existence and use of audit reduction and analysis tools.
4.B.5.a(8)Auditing procedures, including:
4.B.5.a(8)(a)Enforcement of the capability to audit changes in security labels.
4.B.5.a(8)(b)Enforcement of the capability to audit accesses or attempted accesses to objects or data whose labels are inconsistent with user privileges.
4.B.5.a(8)(c)Enforcement of the capability to audit all program initiations, information downgrades and overrides, and all other security-relevant events (specifically including identified events that may be used in the exploitation of covert channels).
4.B.5.a(8)(d)In the event of an audit failure, system shutdown unless an alternate audit capability exists.
4.B.5.a(9)Auditing procedures, including:
4.B.5.a(9)(a)Individual accountability (i.e., unique identification of each user and association of that identity with all auditable actions taken by that individual).
4.B.5.a(9)(b)At least monthly testing by the ISSO or ISSM of the security posture of the IS by employing various intrusion/attack detection and monitoring tools. The ISSO/M shall not invoke such attack software without approval from the appropriate authorities and concurrence of legal counsel. The output of such tools shall be protected against unauthorized access, modification, or deletion. These tools shall build upon audit reduction and analysis tools to aid the ISSO or ISSM in the monitoring and detection of suspicious, intrusive, or attack-like behavior patterns.
4.B.5.a(10)Auditing procedures, including:
4.B.5.a(10)(a)The capability of the system to monitor, in real-time, occurrences of, or accumulation of, auditable events that may indicate an imminent violation of security policies.
4.B.5.a(10)(b)The capability of the system to notify the ISSO of suspicious events and taking the least-disruptive action to terminate the suspicious event.
4.B.5.a(11)An Identification and Authentication (I&A) management mechanism that ensures a unique identifier for each user and that associates that identifier with all auditable actions taken by the user. The following must be specified:*
4.B.5.a(11)(a)Initial authenticator content and administrative procedures for initial authenticator distribution.
4.B.5.a(11)(b)Individual and Group authenticators. (Group authenticators may only be used in conjunction with the use of an individual/unique authenticator, that is, individuals must be authenticated with an individual authenticator prior to use of a group authenticator).
4.B.5.a(11)(c)Length, composition, and generation of authenticators.
4.B.5.a(11)(d)Change Processes (periodic and in case of compromise).
4.B.5.a(11)(e)Aging of static authenticators (i.e., not one-time passwords or biometric patterns)
4.B.5.a(11)(f)History of static authenticator changes, with assurance of non-replication of individual authenticators, per direction in approved SSP.
4.B.5.a(11)(g)Protection of authenticators to preserve confidentiality and integrity.
4.B.5.a(12)Identification and Authentication. In those instances where the means of authentication is user-specified passwords, the ISSO or ISSM may employ (under the auspices of the DAA) automated tools to validate that the passwords are sufficiently strong to resist cracking and other attacks intended to discover a user's password.
4.B.5.a(13)Identification and Authentication. In those instances where the users are remotely accessing the system, the users shall employ a strong authentication mechanism (i.e., an I&A technique that is resistant to replay attacks).
4.B.5.a(14)Identification and Authentication (I&A) management mechanisms that include:
4.B.5.a(14)(a)Implementation and support of a trusted communications path between the user and the Security Support Structure of the desktop for login and authentication. Communication via this path shall be initiated exclusively by the user and shall be unmistakably distinguishable from other paths.
4.B.5.a(14)(b)In the case of communication between two or more systems (e.g. client server architecture), bi-directional authentication between the two systems.
4.B.5.a(15)Labeling procedures, including:
4.B.5.a(15)(a)Internal security labels that are an integral part of the electronic data or media.
4.B.5.a(15)(b)Procedures for managing content, generation, attachment, and persistence of internal labels that are documented in the SSP.
4.B.5.a(15)(c)Security labels that reflect the sensitivity (i.e., classification level, classification category, and handling caveats) of the information .
4.B.5.a(15)(d)Maintenance by the Security Support Structure of a record of the kind(s) of data allowed on each communications channel.
4.B.5.a(15)(e)A means for the system to ensure that labels a user associates with information provided to the system are consistent with the sensitivity levels that the user is allowed to access.
4.B.5.a(16)Labeling procedures, including internal and external labeling such as label integrity, exportation, subject-sensitivity labels, and device labels, as applicable.
4.B.5.a(17)Least Privilege procedures, including the assurance that each user or process is granted the most restrictive set of privileges or accesses needed for the performance of authorized tasks.
4.B.5.a(18)Parameter Transmission. Security parameters (e.g., labels, markings) that are reliably associated (either explicitly or implicitly) with information exchanged between systems.
4.B.5.a(19)Recovery procedures and technical system features to assure that system recovery is done in a trusted and secure manner. If any circumstances can cause an untrusted recovery, such circumstances shall be documented and appropriate mitigating procedures shall be put in place.
4.B.5.a(20)Resource Control. All authorizations to the information contained within an object shall be revoked prior to initial assignment, allocation, or reallocation to a subject from the Security Support Structure's pool of unused objects. No information, including encrypted representations of information, produced by a prior subject's actions is to be available to any subject that obtains access to an object that has been released back to the system. There must be no residual data from the former object.
4.B.5.a(21)Screen Lock. Unless there is an overriding technical or operational problem, a terminal/desktop/laptop screen-lock functionality shall be associated with each terminal/desktop/laptop computer. When activated, a screen-lock function shall place an unclassified pattern onto the entire screen of the terminal/desktop/laptop, totally hiding what was previously visible on the screen. Such a capability shall:
4.B.5.a(21)(a)Be enabled either by explicit user action or if the terminal/desktop/laptop is left idle for a specified period of time (e.g., 15 minutes or more).
4.B.5.a(21)(b)Ensure that once the terminal/desktop/laptop security/screen-lock software is activated, access to the terminal/desktop/laptop requires knowledge of a unique authenticator.
4.B.5.a(21)(c)Not be considered a substitute for logging out (unless a mechanism actually logs out the user when the user idle time is exceeded).
4.B.5.a(22)Separation of Roles. The functions of the ISSO and the system manager/system administrator shall not be performed by the same person.
4.B.5.a(23)Session Controls, including:
4.B.5.a(23)(a)User notification such that all IS users shall be notified prior to gaining access to a system that system usage may be monitored, recorded, and subject to audit. Electronic means shall be employed where technically feasible.
4.B.5.a(23)(b)The user shall also be advised that use of the system indicates (1) the consent of the user to such monitoring and recording and (2) that unauthorized use is prohibited and subject to criminal and civil penalties. Electronic means shall be employed where technically feasible.
4.B.5.a(24)Enforcement of Session Controls, including:
4.B.5.a(24)(a)Procedures for controlling and auditing concurrent logons from different workstations.
4.B.5.a(24)(b)Station or session time-outs, as applicable.
4.B.5.a(24)(c)Limited retry on logon as technically feasible.
4.B.5.a(24)(d)System actions on unsuccessful logons (e.g., blacklisting of the terminal or user identifier).
4.B.5.a(25)Data Storage, implementing at least one of the following:
4.B.5.a(25)(a)Information stored in an area approved for open storage* of the information.
4.B.5.a(25)(b)Information stored in an area approved for continuous personnel access control (when continuous personnel access control is in effect), i.e., a 24-hour, 7-day-per week operational area.
4.B.5.a(25)(c)Information secured as appropriate for closed storage.
4.B.5.a(25)(d)Information encrypted using NSA-approved encryption mechanisms appropriate (see paragraph 1.G.1) for the classification of stored data.
4.B.5.a(26)Data Transmission.
4.B.5.a(26)(a)Data transmission that implements at least one of the following:
4.B.5.a(26)(a)(1)Information distributed only within an area approved for open storage of the information.
4.B.5.a(26)(a)(2)Information distributed via a Protected Distribution System* (PDS).
4.B.5.a(26)(a)(3)Information distributed using NSA-approved encryption mechanisms appropriate (see paragraph 1.G.1) for the classification of the information.
4.B.5.a(26)(a)(4)Information distributed using a trusted courier.
4.B.5.a(26)(b)Dial-up lines, other than those that are protected with nationally certified cryptographic devices or PDSs, shall not be used for gaining access to system resources that process SAP information unless the DAA provides specific written authorization for a system to operate in this manner.
4.B.5.a(27)Separation of Data. Information transmissions of different security levels shall be segregated from each other (e.g., encryption, physical separation).
4.B.5.bRequirements for system assurance at Protection Level 5.
4.B.5.b(1)A thorough search for covert channels shall be conducted, and a determination shall be made of the maximum bandwidth of each identified channel.
4.B.5.b(2)Documentation shall include:
4.B.5.b(2)(a)A System Security Plan (see Appendix C).
4.B.5.b(2)(b)A Security Concept of Operations (CONOPS) (the Security CONOPS may be included in the System Security Plan). The CONOPS shall at a minimum include a description of the purpose of the system, a description of the system architecture, the system's accreditation schedule, the system's Protection Level, integrity Level-of-Concern, availability Level-of-Concern, and a description of the factors that determine the system's Protection Level, integrity Level-of-Concern, and availability Level-of-Concern.
4.B.5.b(3)Documentation shall include guide(s) or manual(s) for the system's privileged users. The manual(s) shall at a minimum provide information on (1) configuring, installing, and operating the system; (2) making optimum use of the system's security features; and (3) identifying known security vulnerabilities regarding the configuration and use of administrative functions. The documentation shall be updated as new vulnerabilities are identified.
4.B.5.b(4)Documentation shall include:
4.B.5.b(4)(a)Certification test plans and procedures detailing the implementation of the features and assurances for the required Protection Level.
4.B.5.b(4)(b)Reports of test results.
4.B.5.b(4)(c)A general user's guide that describes the protection mechanisms provided, and that supplies guidelines on how the mechanisms are to be used, and how they interact.
4.B.5.b(4)(d)Documentation, including System Design Documentation, if applicable.
4.B.5.b(5)System Assurance shall include:
4.B.5.b(5)(a)Features and procedures to validate the integrity and the expected operation of the security-relevant software, hardware, and firmware.
4.B.5.b(5)(b)Features or procedures for protection of the operating system from improper changes.
4.B.5.b(6)System Assurance shall include:
4.B.5.b(6)(a)Control of access to the Security Support Structure (i.e., the hardware, software, and firmware that perform operating system or security functions).
4.B.5.b(6)(b)Assurance of the integrity of the Security Support Structure.
4.B.5.b(7)System Assurance shall include:
4.B.5.b(7)(a)Isolating the Security Support Structure, by means of partitions, domains, etc., including control of access to, and integrity of, hardware, software, and firmware that perform security functions.
4.B.5.b(7)(b)Using up-to-date vulnerability assessment tools to validate the continued integrity of the Security Support Structure by ensuring that the system configuration does not contain any well-known security vulnerabilities.
4.B.5.b(8)System Assurance. The Security Support Structure shall maintain separate execution domains (e.g., address spaces) for each executing process.
4.B.5.b(9)The ISSM shall provide written verification to the DAA that the system operates in accordance with the approved SSP, and that the security features, including access controls, configuration management, and discretionary access controls, are implemented and operational.
4.B.5.b(10)Additional testing.
4.B.5.b(10)(a)Certification testing shall be conducted including verification that the features and assurances required for the Protection Level are functional.
4.B.5.b(10)(b)A test plan and procedures shall be developed and include:
4.B.5.b(10)(b)(1)A detailed description of the manner in which the system's Security Support Structure meets the technical requirements for the Protection Levels and Levels-of-Concern for integrity and availability.
4.B.5.b(10)(b)(2)A detailed description of the assurances that have been implemented, and how this implementation will be verified.
4.B.5.b(10)(b)(3)An outline of the inspection and test procedures used to verify this compliance.
4.B.5.b(11)Testing shall include:
4.B.5.b(11)(a)Security Penetration Testing to determine the level of difficulty in penetrating the security countermeasures of the system.
4.B.5.b(11)(b)Formation of an Independent Verification and Validation team that at least annually assists in security testing and performing validation and verification testing of the system.
5.B.1Integrity - Basic
5.B.1.aA system operating at the Basic Level-of-Concern for integrity shall implement the following features:
5.B.1.a(1)Backup procedures, including good engineering practice with regard to backup policies and procedures.
5.B.1.a(2)Configuration Management (CM) that includes:
5.B.1.a(2)(a)Policies that assure the effectiveness of storage integrity.
5.B.1.a(2)(b)Procedures to assure the appropriate physical and technical protection of the backup and restoration hardware, firmware, and software, such as router tables, compilers, and other security-related system software.
5.B.1.a(3)Good engineering practice with regard to COTS integrity mechanisms, such as parity checks and Cyclical Redundancy Checks (CRCs).
5.B.1.a(4)Procedures to prevent the introduction of malicious code into the system, including the timely updating of those mechanisms intended to prevent the introduction of malicious code (e.g., updating anti-viral software).
5.B.1.bThe following assurance shall be provided a system operating at a Basic Level-of-Concern for Integrity:
5.B.1.b(1)Verification by the ISSM that the necessary security procedures and mechanisms are in place; testing of them by the ISSM to ensure that they work appropriately.
5.B.2Integrity - Medium
5.B.2.aA system operating at the Medium Level-of-Concern for integrity shall implement the following features:
5.B.2.a(1)Backup procedures to ensure both the existence of sufficient backup storage capability and effective restoration* of the backup data.
5.B.2.a(2)Backup storage that is located to allow the prompt restoration of data. If required by the DAA, there shall additionally be off-site backup storage of data, as per approved SSP; such storage is intended to enable recovery if a single event eliminates both the original data and the on-site backup data. If regular off-site backup is not feasible, such as on a ship at sea, alternative procedures, such as secure transmission of the data to an appropriate off-site location, should be considered.
5.B.2.a(3)Change Control that includes:
5.B.2.a(3)(a)Mechanisms that notify users of the time and date of the last change in data content.
5.B.2.a(3)(b)Procedures and technical system features to assure that changes to the data or to security-related items are:
5.B.2.a(3)(b)(1)Executed only by authorized personnel.
5.B.2.a(3)(b)(2)Properly implemented.
5.B.2.a(4)Configuration Management (CM) that includes:
5.B.2.a(4)(a)Policies that assure the effectiveness of storage integrity.
5.B.2.a(4)(b)Procedures to assure the appropriate physical and technical protection of the backup and restoration hardware, firmware, and software, such as router tables, compilers, and other security-related system software.
5.B.2.a(5)Configuration Management that includes:
5.B.2.a(5)(a)A CM Plan, including:
5.B.2.a(5)(a)(1)Policies that assure storage integrity.
5.B.2.a(5)(a)(2)Procedures for identifying and documenting system connectivity, including any software, hardware, and firmware used for all communications (including, but not limited to wireless, IR, etc.).
5.B.2.a(5)(a)(3)Procedures for identifying and documenting the type, model, and brand of system or component, security relevant software, hardware, and firmware product names and version or release numbers, and physical locations.
5.B.2.a(5)(b)A CM process to implement the CM Plan.
5.B.2.a(6)Data and software storage integrity protection, including the use of strong integrity mechanisms (e.g., integrity locks, encryption).
5.B.2.a(7)Integrity, including the implementation of specific nonrepudiation capabilities (e.g., digital signatures), if mission accomplishment requires non-repudiation.
5.B.2.a(8)Procedures to prevent the introduction of malicious code into the system, including the timely updating of those mechanisms intended to prevent the introduction of malicious code (e.g., updating anti-viral software).
5.B.2.bThe following assurances shall be provided a system operating at a Medium Level-of-Concern for Integrity:
5.B.2.b(1)Security Support Structure Validation, including procedures or features to validate, periodically, the correct operation of the hardware, software, and firmware elements of the Security Support Structure.
5.B.2.b(2)Verification by the ISSM that the necessary security procedures and mechanisms are in place; testing of them by the ISSM to ensure that they work appropriately.
5.B.3Integrity - High
5.B.3.aA system operating at the High Level-of-Concern for integrity shall implement the following features:
5.B.3.a(1)Backup procedures, including:
5.B.3.a(1)(a)A capability to conduct backup storage and restoration of data and access controls.
5.B.3.a(1)(b)Frequent backups of data.*
5.B.3.a(1)(c)At least annual restoration of backup data.
5.B.3.a(1)(d)Backup storage that is located to allow the immediate restoration of data. There shall additionally be off-site backup storage of the data, as per approved SSP; such storage is intended to enable recovery if a single event eliminates both the original data and the on-site backup data. If regular off-site backup is not feasible, such as on a ship at sea, alternative procedures, such as secure transmission of the data to an appropriate offsite location, should be considered.
5.B.3.a(2)Change Control that includes:
5.B.3.a(2)(a)Mechanisms that notify users of the time and date of the last change in data content.
5.B.3.a(2)(b)Procedures and technical system features to assure that changes to the data or to security-related items are:
5.B.3.a(2)(b)(1)Executed only by authorized personnel.
5.B.3.a(2)(b)(2)Properly implemented.
5.B.3.a(3)Change Control that includes:
5.B.3.a(3)(a)A secure, unchangeable audit trail that will facilitate the correction of improper data changes.
5.B.3.a(3)(b)Transaction-based systems (e.g., database management systems, transaction processing systems) that implement transaction roll-back and transaction journaling, or technical equivalents.
5.B.3.a(4)Configuration Management (CM) that includes: Policies that assure the effectiveness of storage integrity.
5.B.3.a(4)(a)Policies that assure the effectiveness of storage integrity.
5.B.3.a(4)(b)Procedures to assure the appropriate physical and technical protection of the backup and restoration hardware, firmware, and software, such as router tables, compilers, and other security-related system software.
5.B.3.a(5)Configuration Management that includes:
5.B.3.a(5)(a)A CM Plan, including:
5.B.3.a(5)(a)(1)Policies that assure storage integrity.
5.B.3.a(5)(a)(2)Procedures for identifying and documenting system connectivity, including any software, hardware, and firmware used for all communications (including, but not limited to wireless, IR, etc.).
5.B.3.a(5)(a)(3)Procedures for identifying and documenting the type, model, and brand of system or component, security relevant software, hardware, and firmware product names and version or release numbers, and physical locations.
5.B.3.a(5)(b)A CM process to implement the CM Plan.
5.B.3.a(6)Configuration management that includes:
5.B.3.a(6)(a)A CM process to test, and verify the CM Plan periodically.
5.B.3.a(6)(b)A CM control board, which includes the ISSM/ISSO as a member.
5.B.3.a(6)(c)A verification process that assures it is neither technically nor procedurally feasible to make changes to the Security Support Structure outside of the CM process.
5.B.3.a(7)Data and software storage integrity protection, including the use of strong integrity mechanisms (e.g., integrity locks, encryption).
5.B.3.a(8)Integrity, including the implementation of specific nonrepudiation capabilities (e.g., digital signatures), if mission accomplishment requires non-repudiation.
5.B.3.a(9)Procedures to prevent the introduction of malicious code into the system, including the timely updating of those mechanisms intended to prevent the introduction of malicious code (e.g., updating anti-viral software).
5.B.3.a(10)Recovery procedures and technical system features that assure that system recovery is done in a trusted and secure manner. If any circumstances can cause an untrusted recovery, such circumstances shall be documented and appropriate mitigating procedures shall be put in place.
5.B.3.a(11)Data Transmission, including:
5.B.3.a(11)(a)Integrity mechanisms adequate to assure the integrity of all transmitted information (including labels and security parameters).
5.B.3.a(11)(b)Mechanisms to detect or prevent the hijacking of a communication session (e.g., encrypted communication channels).
5.B.3.bThe following assurances shall be provided for a system operating at a High Level-of-Concern for Integrity:
5.B.3.b(1)System Integrity that includes the isolation of the Security Support Structure, by means of partitions, domains, etc., including control of access to, and integrity of, hardware, software, and firmware that perform security functions.
5.B.3.b(2)System Integrity, such that the Security Support Structure maintains separate execution domains (e.g., address spaces) for each executing process.
5.B.3.b(3)Security Support Structure Validation that includes procedures or features to validate, periodically, the correct operation of the hardware, software, and firmware elements of the Security Support Structure.
5.B.3.b(4)Verification by the DAA Rep that the necessary security procedures and mechanisms are in place; testing of them by the DAA Rep to ensure that they work appropriately.
6.B.1Availability - Basic
6.B.1.aA system operating at the Basic Level-of-Concern for Availability shall implement the following features:
6.B.1.a(1)Processes and procedures to allow for the restoration* of the system.
6.B.1.a(2)Backup procedures, including good engineering practice with regard to backup policies and procedures.
6.B.1.bThe following assurances shall be provided for a system operating at a Basic Level-of-Concern for Availability:
6.B.1.b(1)Verification by the ISSM that the necessary security procedures and mechanisms are in place; testing of them by the ISSM to ensure that they work appropriately.
6.B.2Availability - Medium
6.B.2.aA system operating at the Medium Level-of-Concern for Availability shall implement the following features:
6.B.2.a(1)Processes and procedures to allow for the restoration* of the system.
6.B.2.a(2)Backup storage that is located to allow the prompt restoration of data. If required by the DAA, there shall additionally be off-site backup storage of the data, as per approved SSP; such storage is intended to enable recovery if a single event eliminates both the original data and the on-site backup data. If regular off-site backup is not feasible, as, for example, on a ship at sea, alternative procedures, such a secure transmission of the data to an appropriate off-site location, should be considered.
6.B.2.a(3)Backup procedures to allow the restoration of operational capabilities with minimal loss of service or data. These procedures shall require:
6.B.2.a(3)(a)Frequent backups of data.
6.B.2.a(3)(b)To the extent deemed necessary by the DAA, assurance that the system state after the restore will reflect the security-relevant changes to the system between the backup and the restore.
6.B.2.a(3)(c)Assurance that the availability of information in storage is adequate for all operational situations, and that catastrophic damage to any single storage entity will not result in system-wide loss of information. These policies shall include, among others, procedures for ensuring the physical protection of operational and backup media and equipment, and for ensuring the continued functionality of the operational and backup media and equipment.
6.B.2.a(3)(d)Restoration of any security-relevant segment of the system state (e.g., access control lists, cryptologic keys, deleted system status information) without requiring destruction of other system data.
6.B.2.a(4)Communications capability that provides adequate communications to accomplish the mission when the primary operations communications capabilities are unavailable.
6.B.2.a(5)Maintenance procedures that include preventive maintenance, scheduled to maximize the availability of the system, and thus to minimize interference with the operation of the system. Planning for maintenance shall include at least:
6.B.2.a(5)(a)On-call maintenance.
6.B.2.a(5)(b)On-site diagnostics.
6.B.2.a(5)(c)Control of Remote Diagnostics, where applicable. (See paragraph 8.B.8.d, below, for a discussion of remote diagnostics.)
6.B.2.a(6)System Availability, including, by default for a multi-user system, conditioned, battery-backed power adequate to allow the system to be fail-soft. If the system is multi-user, the decision not to use an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) for the system shall be explicit.
6.B.2.a(7)System Availability, including, as required by the DAA, procedures for graceful transfer of the system to an alternate power source; these procedures shall ensure that the transfer is completed within the timing requirements of the application(s) on the system.
6.B.2.a(8)Recovery procedures and technical system features that assure that system recovery is done in a trusted and secure manner. If any circumstances can cause an untrusted recovery, such circumstances shall be documented and appropriate mitigating procedures shall be put in place.
6.B.2.bThe following assurances shall be provided for a system operating at a Medium Level-of-Concern for Availability:
6.B.2.b(1)Contingency Planning that includes a Contingency/Disaster Recovery Plan.
6.B.2.b(2)Verification by the ISSM that the necessary security procedures and mechanisms are in place; testing by the ISSM to ensure that they work appropriately.
6.B.3Availability - High
6.B.3.aA system operating at the High Level-of-Concern for Availability shall implement the following features:
6.B.3.a(1)Processes and procedures to allow for the restoration* of the system.
6.B.3.a(2)Backup procedures, including:
6.B.3.a(2)(a)A capability to conduct backup storage and restoration of data.
6.B.3.a(2)(b)Frequent backups of data.*
6.B.3.a(2)(c)At least annual restoration of backup data.
6.B.3.a(2)(d)Backup storage that is located to allow the immediate restoration of data. There shall additionally be off-site backup storage of the data, as per approved SSP; such storage is intended to enable recovery if a single event eliminates both the original and the on-site, backup data. If regular off-site backup is not feasible, as, for example, on a ship at sea, alternative procedures such as secure transmission of the data to an appropriate offsite location, should be considered.
6.B.3.a(3)Backup procedures to allow the restoration of operational capabilities with minimal loss of service or data. These procedures shall require:
6.B.3.a(3)(a)Frequent backups of data.
6.B.3.a(3)(b)To the extent deemed necessary by the DAA, assurance that the system state after the restore will reflect security-relevant changes to the system between the backup and the restore.
6.B.3.a(3)(c)Assurance that the availability of information in storage is adequate for all operational situations, and that catastrophic damage to any single storage entity will not result in system-wide loss of information. These policies shall include, among others, procedures for ensuring the physical protection of operational and backup media and equipment, and for ensuring the continued functionality of the operational and backup media and equipment.
6.B.3.a(3)(d)Restoration of any security-relevant segment of the system state (e.g., access control lists, cryptologic keys, deleted system status information) without requiring destruction of other system data.
6.B.3.a(4)Backup procedures, including:
6.B.3.a(4)(a)Assurance that the system state after the restore will reflect security-relevant changes to the system between the backup and the restore.
6.B.3.a(4)(b)Consideration to the use of technical features that enhance data integrity and availability including, among others, remote journaling, Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks (RAID) 1 and above, and similar techniques.
6.B.3.a(5)Communications capability that provides adequate communications to accomplish the mission when the primary operations communications capabilities are unavailable.
6.B.3.a(6)Prevention of Denial of Service Attacks.* Where technically feasible, procedures and mechanisms shall be in place to curtail or prevent well-known, detectable, and preventable denial of service attacks (e.g., SYN attack).
6.B.3.a(7)Maintenance procedures that include preventive maintenance, scheduled to maximize the availability of the system, and so minimize interference with the operation of the system. Planning for maintenance shall include at least:
6.B.3.a(7)(a)On-call maintenance.
6.B.3.a(7)(b)On-site diagnostics.
6.B.3.a(7)(c)Control of Remote Diagnostics, where applicable. (See paragraph 8.B.8.d, below, for a discussion of remote diagnostics.)
6.B.3.a(8)Periodic testing by the ISSO or ISSM of the security posture of the IS by employing various intrusion/attack detection and monitoring tools. The ISSO/M shall not invoke such attack software without approval from the appropriate authorities and concurrence of legal counsel. The monitoring tools shall be used for the monitoring and detection of suspicious, intrusive, or attack-like behavior patterns.
6.B.3.a(9)System Availability, including, by default for a multi-user system, conditioned, battery-backed power adequate to allow the system to be fail-soft. If the system is multi-user, the decision not to use an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) for the system shall be explicit.
6.B.3.a(10)System Availability, including procedures for graceful transfer of the system to an alternate power source; these procedures shall ensure that the transfer is completed within the timing requirements of the application(s) on the system.
6.B.3.a(11)Priority protection that includes no "Deny Up" (i.e., a lower priority process shall not be able to interfere with the system's servicing of any higher-priority process).
6.B.3.a(12)Recovery procedures and technical system features that assure that system recovery is done in a trusted and secure manner. If any circumstances can cause an untrusted recovery, such circumstances shall be documented and appropriate mitigating procedures shall be put in place.
6.B.3.bThe following assurances shall be provided for a system operating at a High Level-of-Concern for Availability:
6.B.3.b(1)Contingency Planning that includes a Contingency/Disaster Recovery Plan.
6.B.3.b(2)Contingency Planning, including:
6.B.3.b(2)(a)Adequate hardware, firmware, software, power, and cooling to accomplish the mission when the operational equipment is unavailable. Consideration shall be given to fault-tolerant or "hotbackup" operations. The decision whether or not to use these techniques shall be explicit.
6.B.3.b(2)(b)Regular exercising and testing of the contingency plans. The plans for the tests shall be documented in the Contingency/Disaster Recovery Plan.
6.B.3.b(3)Verification by the DAA Rep that the necessary security procedures and mechanisms are in place; testing by the DAA Rep to ensure that they work appropriately.
7.A.1An interconnected IS is composed of separately accredited ISs. Each self-contained IS maintains its own intra-system services and controls, protects its own resources, and retains its individual accreditation. Each participating IS has its own ISSO.
7.A.1.aInterconnected ISs shall have a mechanism capable of adjudicating the different security policy implementations of the participating ISs.
7.A.1.bInterconnected ISs require accreditation that explicitly addresses their interconnectivity (see Chapter 9 for discussion and definition of accreditation).
7.A.2When connecting two or more ISs, the DAA(s) shall review the security attributes of each system to determine whether the combination of data or the combination of users who have access to the interconnected ISs necessitates a higher level of security requirements. DAA(s) shall explicitly make this determination, even if the systems are accredited at the same level of technical requirements.
7.A.3The characteristics and capabilities of interconnected ISs require special security considerations (e.g., controlling the flow of information into or out of an interconnected IS). This chapter introduces additional requirements for interconnected ISs and expands on the security requirements stated in Chapters 4, 5, and 6 as they apply to interconnected ISs.
7.A.4Many environments employ technologies such as World Wide Web servers, mobile code, electronic mail, or collaborative computing to accomplish their mission. Such technologies may be employed across interconnected ISs to enhance inter-system services, or within an IS to enhance intra-system services. These technologies have security ramifications that are not always readily handled by the requirements provided in Chapters 4, 5, and 6. This chapter introduces additional security requirements for such technology and expands upon the security requirements in Chapters 4, 5, and 6 as they apply to such technologies.
7.B.1Controlled Interface Overview
7.B.1.aA Controlled Interface is a mechanism that facilitates adjudicating the security policies of different interconnected ISs (e.g., controlling the flow of information into or out of an interconnected IS). Controlling the flow of information into an interconnected IS helps preserve the integrity of the IS, and the integrity and confidentiality of the information maintained and processed by the IS. Controlling the flow of information out of the IS* helps preserve the confidentiality of the information leaving the IS, and may protect the integrity of the receiving ISs. The adjudication of integrity and confidentiality policies may be handled in a variety of ways. For example:
7.B.1.a(1)A single Controlled Interface may perform all of the confidentiality and integrity adjudication; or
7.B.1.a(2)One Controlled Interface may be employed for adjudicating confidentiality policies while another adjudicates integrity policies; or
7.B.1.a(3)The adjudication of confidentiality and integrity policies may be distributed across a set of Controlled Interfaces where each performs some subset of confidentiality and integrity policy adjudication. In this instance, the set of Controlled Interfaces adjudicates all of the required integrity and confidentiality policies.
7.B.1.bWhile a Controlled Interface is often implemented as a mechanism (or a set of mechanisms) separate from the ISs it is intended to protect, this need not be the case. A Controlled Interface can be constructed so that some of its functionality resides in the ISs themselves. Regardless of its implementation, the Controlled Interface must conform to the requirements provided below.
7.B.2Common Controlled Interface Requirements
7.B.2.aThe DAA shall ensure that:
7.B.2.a(1)Mechanisms or procedures exist to prohibit general users from modifying the functional capabilities of the Controlled Interface.
7.B.2.a(2)Automated mechanisms are employed that can monitor the Controlled Interface for symptoms of failure or compromise. The mechanisms shall be protected against failure or compromise.
7.B.2.a(3)The Controlled Interface is physically protected.
7.B.2.bRouting information, employed for either controlling the release of outgoing information or the delivery of incoming information, shall be supplied or alterable only by the Security Support Structure of the Controlled Interface.
7.B.2.cEach Controlled Interface shall be configured and located to facilitate its ability to provide controlled communication between the interconnected systems.
7.B.2.dEach Controlled Interface shall be configured to ensure that all (incoming and outgoing) communications protocols, services, and communications not explicitly permitted are prohibited.
7.B.2.eEach Controlled Interface shall be tested to ensure that it satisfies all of the appropriate Controlled Interface criteria listed in this chapter.
7.B.2.fThe Controlled Interface shall be included in a configuration management program. Security policies, procedures, etc., shall be documented.
7.B.2.gRecovery procedures and technical system procedures will be in place to assure that recovery of the Controlled Interface is done in a trusted and secure manner. If any circumstances can cause an untrusted recovery, such circumstances shall be documented and appropriate mitigating procedures shall be put in place.
7.B.2.hThe Controlled Interface shall implement data and software storage integrity, to include to the use of strong storage integrity mechanisms (e.g. controls that track and report changes to security configurations files).
7.B.2.iSafeguards shall be provided to assure that users cannot circumvent technical controls.
7.B.2.jAll direct user access to the Controlled Interface shall be audited.
7.B.2.kRemote administration of the Controlled Interface is discouraged. All remote administration of Controlled Interfaces requires written approval of the DAA. If remote administration is employed, the session must be protected through the use of the following techniques:
7.B.2.k(1)Strong authentication, and either
7.B.2.k(2)Physically separate communications paths, or
7.B.2.k(3)Logically separated communications paths based upon either
7.B.2.k(3)(a)NSA-approved encryption; or
7.B.2.k(3)(b)NSA-approved encryption and DAA-approved privacy encryption to provide privacy of the remote administration session.
7.B.2.k(4)Direct user access to the Controlled Interface shall require strong authentication.
7.B.2.k(5)The requirements imposed upon Controlled Interfaces do not release the DAA, ISSO, or ISSM of the obligation to ensure that the ISs comprising the interconnected IS provide the required security functionality.
7.B.2.k(6)The introduction of a Controlled Interface does not impact the determination of the Protection Level or Levels-of-Concern of the ISs comprising the interconnected IS.
7.B.3Controlled Interface Confidentiality Requirements
7.B.3.aA Controlled Interface shall be required for facilitating the adjudication of confidentiality policies if:
7.B.3.a(1)The two interconnected ISs are approved to process information of different classifications; and
7.B.3.a(2)Neither interconnected IS is operating at Protection Level 4 or 5.
7.B.3.bA Controlled Interface shall be required for facilitating the adjudication of confidentiality policies if:
7.B.3.b(1)The compartments, sub-compartments, caveats, control markings, or special handling of information processed by one interconnected IS is different than the compartments, sub-compartments, caveats, control markings, or special handling of information processed by the other interconnected IS; and
7.B.3.b(2)Neither interconnected IS is operating at Protection Levels 3, 4, or 5.
7.B.3.cAt a minimum,* the following confidentiality policy adjudication features shall be provided:
7.B.3.c(1)Traffic Review. Review the classification of all outgoing (i.e., going outside of the interconnected IS perimeter) traffic based on associated security labels (where provided) or data content (if applicable) before being released. If labels are used, the Controlled Interface must maintain the integrity of the labels.
7.B.3.c(2)Controlled Release. Ensure that only traffic that is explicitly permitted (based on traffic review) is released from the perimeter of the interconnected IS.
7.B.3.c(3)Encryption. Encrypt (as needed) all outgoing communication (including the body and attachment of the communication) with the appropriate level of encryption for the information, transmission medium, and target system.
7.B.3.c(4)Protection. Ensure that users and processes in a lower protection domain are prevented from accessing information for which they are not authorized that resides in a higher domain. In addition, when information at a higher security level is made available to a lower security level, the information shall be protected and maintained at the higher security level until it satisfies the traffic review and controlled release requirements described above.
7.B.3.c(5)Audit/Logging. Log all data release activities, to include identity of releaser, identity of recipient, identity of data released, device identifier (id) (e.g., port id), time, and date of release, modification, or application of security labels.
7.B.3.c(6)Fail-secure. Ensure that the operational failure of the Controlled Interface does not result in any unauthorized release of information outside of the IS perimeter.
7.B.3.dThe Availability Level-of-Concern of each Confidentiality Controlled Interface shall be at least as high as the lowest Availability Level-of-Concern level of the interconnected ISs.
7.B.3.eIn addition to the requirements imposed upon the Controlled Interface, each interconnected IS that is receiving information shall:
7.B.3.e(1)Be accredited to process the level(s) and compartment(s) of information that it receives.
7.B.3.e(2)Provide the features and assurances necessary to ensure that information received is made available only to those authorized to receive the information.
7.B.3.fThe security requirements imposed upon Confidentiality Controlled Interfaces are less stringent than those imposed upon PL4 or PL5 systems because Confidentiality Controlled Interfaces are more constrained in their operation and function than complete ISs. The information that flows through the Controlled Interface is generally push only or pull only. In those instances where the Controlled Interface supports both push and pull capabilities, some other constraint limits the bandwidth or format of information flowing through (e.g., information may be limited to a fixed format, or users may be limited to a set of fixed-format queries). Where information is flowing between systems approved to process different security levels or compartments and the information flow is not constrained in some manner similar to that described above, then the requirements of PL3, PL4, or PL5 as appropriate shall be applied.
7.B.4Controlled Interface Integrity Requirements
7.B.4.aA Controlled Interface facilitating the adjudication of integrity policies shall control all information flows into an interconnected IS. The Controlled Interface shall be required regardless of (1) the Protection Level of the systems comprising the IS; or (2) the Protection Level of the systems comprising the interconnected systems with which it communicates.
7.B.4.bAt a minimum,* the following integrity policy adjudication features shall be provided:
7.B.4.b(1)Malicious code screening.* Review incoming information for viruses and other malicious code as feasible.
7.B.4.b(2)Delivery. Ensure that incoming communications have an authorized user (and, as applicable, authorized addresses) as a destination.
7.B.4.b(3)Filtering. Support and filter communications protocols/services from outside the perimeter of the interconnected IS according to IS-appropriate needs (e.g., filter based on addresses, identity, protocol, authenticated traffic, and applications).
7.B.4.b(4)Proxies. Support, as appropriate, protocol-mediation software (i.e., proxies) that are able to understand and take protective action based on applicationlevel protocols and associated data streams (e.g., filtering FTP connections to deny the use of the put command, effectively prohibiting the ability to write to an anonymous FTP server).
7.B.4.b(5)Extensibility. Where appropriate, provide security support for the incorporation of additional system services as they become available.
7.B.4.b(6)Auditing/Logging. Log data communications into the interconnected IS, to include identity of sender (e.g., person, end-system), identity of recipient (e.g., IP address, host and user), device id (e.g., port id), data, time, and event.
7.B.4.b(7)Fail-secure. Ensure that in the event of the operational failure of the Controlled Interface, no information external to the interconnected IS shall enter the IS.
7.B.4.cThe Availability Level-of-Concern of each Integrity Controlled Interface shall be at least as high as the Availability Level-of-Concern of the IS into which the information flows are directed.
7.B.5Controlled Interface Platform Protection Requirements. Unless the DAA provides a written exemption, the platform underlying the Controlled Interface mechanism must be able to isolate and protect the Controlled Interface application.
7.C.1Overview
7.C.1.aWeb technology is that part of network communications in which the parties communicate through the use of the HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) (or some variant).
7.C.1.bMany organizations are employing Web technology (i.e., HTTP Web servers and clients) to establish intranets and extranets. An intranet is a Web communications system established within limited confines of a given enterprise (e.g., internal to a given business or agency). An extranet is private network using Web technology to share part of an enterprise's information or operations with suppliers, vendors, partners, customers or other enterprises. The technology employed in intranets and extranets is the same as that employed in the larger World Wide Web, but is confined (usually by controlled interfaces such as firewalls) to a limited audience.
7.C.1.cBecause the Web technology is an enhanced form of network communications, many of the security requirements stated elsewhere in this manual apply directly to the use of Web technology. For example, NSA-approved encryption technology would be required to prevent the exposure of classified information to individuals who are not cleared for the information (see paragraphs 1.G.1 and 1.G.2).
7.C.2Securing Web Clients
7.C.2.aBecause of the power of Web technology, the Web client and associated workstation must be appropriately configured and secured. It is particularly important to be sensitive to combinations of unclassified data that in aggregate reveal classified information, and to combinations of information classified at one level that in aggregate reveal more highly classified information.
7.C.2.a(1)All certificates* shall be protected via passwords that adhere to DAA guidelines or some DAA-approved biometric mechanism.
7.C.2.a(2)Only DAA-approved certification authorities* shall issue certificates that are installed on ISs that process SAP information.
7.C.2.a(3)If the Web client supports other capabilities (e.g., e-mail, collaborative computing, mobile code) in addition to traditional browser capabilities, then the use of these other capabilities shall be consistent with the appropriate guidelines stated elsewhere in this manual or as called for by the DAA.
7.C.2.bIn addition, as Web client updates that address known security flaws become available, the ISSO shall ensure that they are implemented as soon as possible.
7.D.1Various technologies such as Web or file transfer protocol (FTP) provide a convenient means for sharing information. Such technologies are examples of push/pull technology, which allow one entity to push information into a location and another entity to pull it from that location. Documents that an organization wishes to share with other organizations could be placed on (pushed out to) an external Web or FTP server (i.e., outside of the organization's IS), and then anyone able to access the server could access (pull off) the information. Documents that an organization wishes to share internally could be placed on an internal Web or FTP server (i.e., within an organization's IS) and then anyone within the organization able to access the server could obtain (pull off) the information.
7.D.2Because such servers are by their nature relatively accessible, they are potentially subject to attacks that could result in modification or destruction of the operating system, or insertion of malicious code. To address these concerns, unless the DAA provides written permission to do otherwise:
7.D.2.aExternal servers shall be located external to a site's Controlled Interface (e.g., firewall) or shall be on a network separate from the site's intranet.
7.D.2.bThe operating services and programs on servers (external and internal) shall be kept to a minimum, and services that are security risks (e.g., tftp, rlogin, rshell) or not required shall be disabled.
7.D.2.cThe system that supports the server functionality shall, as much as possible, be dedicated to that purpose.
7.D.2.dAll operating system, protocol and application (e.g., FTP and Web) security patches shall be implemented as soon as possible after they become known and their functionality has been tested.
7.D.2.eRemote access to servers by privileged users requires the use of a strong authentication mechanism, and all such accesses shall be audited.
7.D.3Servers can be delineated into two broad categories: public (i.e., general access) servers and restricted access servers, described below.
7.D.3.aPublic Servers. The information that is placed on a public server shall be limited to general access holdings that can be accessed by anyone who has authorized access to the inter/intranet/LAN on which the server resides. Servers employed as public servers shall implement all of the requirements stated in paragraph 7.D.2, above, and no general user accounts shall be permitted on the server.
7.D.3.bRestricted Access Servers. The information that is placed on a restricted access server is information which should only be accessed by authorized, authenticated users. In addition to the requirements stated in paragraph 7.D.2, above, restricted access servers shall implement the following security requirements:
7.D.3.b(1)The underlying operating system shall satisfy the confidentiality requirements of Protection Level 2 or higher, integrity requirements for Basic Level-of- Concern or higher, and availability requirements for Basic Level-of-Concern or higher.
7.D.3.b(2)Web servers shall implement secure Web technology (e.g., Secure Sockets Layer, Secure HTTP) where capable.
7.D.3.b(3)Strong authentication shall be required for all users accessing the restricted servers, and all such accesses shall be audited.
7.E.1Mobile code is code obtained from remote systems,* transmitted across a network, and then downloaded onto and executed on a local system. In recent years mobile code has come to refer to Web-based code downloaded onto a user's client and run by the user's browser. Examples of such Web-based mobile code include Java, JavaScript, and ActiveX. The larger set of mobile code normally involves an explicit decision to execute - either by the user or by an application. Examples of mobile code that are directly executed by the user include Perl, Tcl/TK, REXX, Python, Java, and platform-specific executables (e.g., *.com, *.exe). Examples of mobile code that are executed by an application with little or no explicit user action include macros, ActiveX, PostScript and Java.
7.E.2Executable content is the subset of mobile code that is largely invisible to the user and that operates without a user decision. Executable content consists of code that is referenced or embedded in HyperText Markup Language (HTML) and eXtensible Markup Language (XML) page, or an e-mail message. Typically, executable content is automatically activated upon viewing or loading the containing document, without any specific user interaction. The user may be unaware that a separate executable has been downloaded on the user's machine. Examples of executable content include Java Applets, ActiveX Controls, JavaScript, and VBScript.
7.E.3Hostile mobile code or executable content could be used to introduce viruses or other malicious code, modify programs and allow unauthorized access to a system, corrupt data, or deny service.
7.E.4Hostile mobile code or executable content is completely different from more traditional malicious code such as viruses and worms and is not currently detectable by conventional anti-viral software.
7.E.5Until reliable executable content scanning detection technology* is available (as determined by the DAA) to address the security concerns with regard to mobile code or executable content obtained via the Web, the following requirements apply:
7.E.5.aAll mobile code or executable content employed within an intelligence intranet enclave shall be registered within that enclave unless the DAA authorizes otherwise.
7.E.5.bAs feasible, organizations shall implement a code review and quality control process for deployed mobile code or executable content and shall be responsible for the mobile code or executable content that they deploy.
7.E.5.cFor those instances where there is no operational need to download mobile code or executable content, the ISSO or appropriate privileged user shall configure the IS or Controlled Interface to prevent the downloading of mobile code or executable content.
7.E.5.dUnless a written exception is granted by the DAA, organizations shall not run mobile code or executable content on mission-critical information systems.
7.E.5.eDownloading of mobile code or executable content from a system that processes information of a different classification level shall only be permitted if a Controlled Interface appropriately configured to handle such a download is in place, and with the written approval of the DAA.
7.F.1Encryption and E-Mail. E-mail shall conform to the electronic communications and transmission requirements regarding confidentiality stated elsewhere in this manual. In particular, an e-mail message (and associated attachments) shall be appropriately encrypted if during its transmission it may be accessible to individuals who lack either clearance or formal access approval for the information contained in the e-mail (and associated attachments).
7.F.2Viruses and E-mail
7.F.2.aThe DAA shall ensure that the threat of viruses in e-mail or attachments is addressed.
7.F.2.bWhere technically feasible the DAA shall require the use of anti-viral mechanisms to detect and eradicate viruses in incoming and outgoing e-mail and attachments.
7.F.2.cThe means employed to address the virus threat shall be stated in the SSP.
7.F.2.dThe use of anti-viral procedures and mechanisms to detect and eradicate viruses transported by e-mail or attachments does not relieve the ISSO of ensuring that there are procedures and mechanisms (e.g., central choke points where diskettes are scanned for viruses prior to distribution within the IS) in place to safeguard against virus infection of the IS from other sources.
7.G.1Collaborative computing allows members of a work group to share electronically any information, applications, and hardware to accomplish group assignments. Examples of collaborative computing mechanisms include shared white boards, application sharing, LAN-based video and audio conferencing, screen sharing, and text chatter. Collaborative computing may be done in either a peer-to-peer manner, in which user workstations act as servers to other group users, or in a client-server manner, in which user workstations connect to a common server where the data sharing is handled.
7.G.2If not correctly configured, collaborative computing technologies can allow a user to see and hear everything happening at another user's workstation area, or to read, modify, and delete any information on or accessible to a user's workstation.
7.G.3Until collaborative computing technologies incorporate security capabilities (e.g., I&A, access control, auditing) to the satisfaction of the DAA, the following requirements apply:
7.G.3.aCollaborative computing mechanisms shall be hosted only on systems operating at Protection Levels 1, 2, and 3, and between systems that process information of the same classifications. But hosting collaborative computing mechanisms on systems operating at Protection Level 3 requires the explicit, written approval of the DAA, and the DAA may impose additional technical or other security safeguards as needed.
7.G.3.bCollaborative computing mechanisms shall not be remotely activated. Activation requires an explicit action by the workstation user (e.g., in the case of a desktop video teleconference, the user of the desktop shall be required to take an explicit action to turn on the camera and microphone, remote users shall not be allowed to activate a user's camera or microphone remotely).
7.G.3.cPeer-to-peer collaborative computing mechanisms between systems operating at Protection Level 2 shall be configured to ensure that only the information on the screen is observable to the remote user. Information located elsewhere on the workstation shall not be observable, nor shall the remote user be able to modify or delete any information on the workstation. These restrictions also apply to any other IS to which the user's workstation is logically connected (e.g., any logically mounted disks).
7.G.3.dCollaborative computing mechanisms that provide video and/or audio conference capabilities shall provide some explicit indication that the video and audio mechanisms are operating.
7.G.3.eRunning collaborative computing mechanisms on mission-critical systems is discouraged and shall require explicit, written DAA approval.
7.G.3.fThe server portion of the client-server collaborative computing mechanism shall authenticate all users or processes acting on their behalf.
7.G.3.gWhile conducting a collaborative computing session, the user shall take all reasonable measures to ensure that no sensitive information is inadvertently made either audibly or visually accessible to the collaborative computing mechanism. This includes advising all personnel in the immediate area that the collaborative computing mechanism will be operating.
7.G.3.hOnce the collaborative session is completed, the user shall immediately take an explicit action to disconnect/terminate the collaborative computing mechanism.
7.G.3.iUsers shall not leave the workstation unattended while a peer-to-peer collaborative computing mechanism is in progress.
8.B.1Security Training, Education, and Awareness
8.B.1.aSecurity education, training, and awareness are essential to a successful IS security program. Employees who are informed of applicable organizational policies and procedures can be expected to act effectively to ensure the security of system resources. Instruction is more effective when targeted to a specific audience. General users require different training than those employees with specialized responsibilities.
8.B.1.bAll individuals involved in the Certification and Accreditation (C&A) process shall be trained in that process and in its documentation requirements.
8.B.1.b(1)As a minimum, training shall include the following:
8.B.1.b(1)(a)System security regulations and policies (individuals shall have the ability to implement and interpret national and agency/department regulations and policies).
8.B.1.b(1)(b)Common information security technologies and practices.
8.B.1.b(1)(c)Testing and evaluation techniques.
8.B.1.b(1)(d)Risk management concepts.
8.B.1.b(1)(e)Interconnected systems security concepts.
8.B.1.b(1)(f)Procedures for incident handling.
8.B.1.b(1)(g)C&A concepts, policies, and procedures.
8.B.1.b(1)(h)Audit analysis procedures and tools.
8.B.1.b(2)In addition to the requirements specified in 8.B.1.b(1), above, DAAs and DAA Reps shall have the following training:
8.B.1.b(2)(a)General information security orientation. An overview of what is expected of the person in this position, to include: infrastructure, risk management, the responsibility for accepting risks and the consequences, residual risks, basic security requirements, Protection Levels and Levels-of-Concern, C&A process.
8.B.1.b(2)(b)Software protection and validation techniques.
8.B.1.b(3)In addition to the requirements specified in 8.B.1.b(1) above, ISSMs shall have training in the destruction and release procedures for systems, components, and media.
8.B.1.b(4)In addition to the requirements specified in 8.B.1.b(1) above, ISSOs shall have the following training:
8.B.1.b(4)(a)How to implement common information systems security practices and technologies. This training shall include information on support infrastructures, help teams, and organizations that could assist the ISSO.
8.B.1.b(4)(b)How to implement testing and evaluation procedures.
8.B.1.b(4)(c)How to implement configuration management concepts.
8.B.1.b(4)(d)Destruction and release procedures for systems, components, and media.
8.B.1.b(4)(e)Other security disciplines that affect the ISSO's operations.
8.B.1.cThe following individuals shall be trained in their responsibilities and those of their subordinates:
8.B.1.c(1)Privileged Users, with training to include:
8.B.1.c(1)(a)How to protect the physical area, media, and equipment (e.g., locking doors, care of diskettes).
8.B.1.c(1)(b)How to protect authenticators and operate the applicable system security features.
8.B.1.c(1)(c)Security consequences and costs so that security can be factored into their decisions (manager).
8.B.1.c(1)(d)How to implement and use specific access control products (system administrators).
8.B.1.c(1)(e)How to recognize and report potential security vulnerabilities, threats, security violations, or incidents.
8.B.1.c(1)(f)The organization's policy for protecting information and systems and the roles and responsibilities of various organizational units with which they may have to interact.
8.B.1.c(1)(g)The system security regulations and policies.
8.B.1.c(1)(h)What constitutes misuse or abuse of system privileges.
8.B.1.c(2)General Users, with training to include:
8.B.1.c(2)(a)How to protect the physical area, media, and equipment (e.g., locking doors, care of diskettes).
8.B.1.c(2)(b)How to protect authenticators and operate the applicable system security features.
8.B.1.c(2)(c)How to recognize and report security violations and incidents.
8.B.1.c(2)(d)The organization's policy for protecting information and systems.
8.B.2Marking and Labeling. This subsection sets forth the policy and procedures for use of security markings and labels of system media that may contain classified information under the purview of the signatories of this manual. It implements Information Security Oversight Office (ISOO) Directive 1. It specifies the use of standard external labels for identifying the security classification of removable IS media. Any downgrading or declassification of media shall be clearly reflected in its markings and shall be documented.
8.B.2.aMarking Storage Media
8.B.2.a(1)Removable information storage media shall bear external labels indicating the security classification of the information and applicable associated security markings, such as handling caveats and dissemination control labels. SSPs shall identify the removable storage media to be used with a system. Classified removable media shall be controlled and protected in a manner similar to that used for classified paper materials. Removable media shall be marked as classified if the media has ever been used on the classified system and during any use on the system, was writeable (i.e. the write-protect feature could not be verified).
8.B.2.a(1)(a)In those areas, designated in the SSP, where classified information is processed, unmarked media that are not in factory-sealed packages shall be protected at the highest level of classification processed within the facility, until the media has been reviewed and appropriately labeled.
8.B.2.a(1)(b)In those areas, designated in the SSP, where both classified and unclassified information are processed or stored, UNCLASSIFIED media labels (SF 710) shall be used to identify media that contain only unclassified information.
8.B.2.a(2)Non-removable information storage media shall bear external labels indicating the security classification of the information and applicable associated security markings, such as handling caveats and dissemination control labels. If it is difficult to mark the non-removable media itself, the labels described below may be placed in a readily visible position on the cabinet enclosing the media.
8.B.2.a(3)External Labels
8.B.2.a(3)(a)For a system operating at Protection Level 1, 2, or 3, storage media shall bear external labels indicating the highest classification level and applicable associated security markings of information ever processed on the system, unless a reliable human review of the media's entire contents is performed.
8.B.2.a(3)(b)For a system operating at Protection Level 4 or 5, storage media shall be labeled with the classification level and applicable associated security markings of information on the media.
8.B.2.bMarking Hardware Components. Procedures identified in the SSP shall be implemented to ensure that all components of an IS, including input/output devices that have the potential for retaining information,* terminals, standalone microprocessors, and word processors used as terminals, bear a conspicuous, external label stating the highest classification level and most restrictive classification category of the information accessible to the component in the IS. This labeling may consist of permanent markings on the component or a sign placed on the terminal.
8.B.2.cMarking Human-Readable Output. Human-readable output shall be marked appropriately, on each human-readable page, screen, or equivalent (e.g., the proper classification must appear on each classified microfiche and on each page of text on the fiche).
8.B.2.c(1)Adding a Banner Page. Except as provided by the DAA, the first page of the output (the banner page) shall include a warning message reminding the person receiving the output to control every page according to the markings on the banner page until a reliable human review has determined that the output is marked appropriately.
8.B.2.c(1)(a)If the capability to provide automatic banner pages does not exist, procedures shall be developed to mark manually or otherwise assure review of printed output, as appropriate.
8.B.2.c(1)(b)Using procedures approved by the Data Owner or responsible official, explicit approval shall be obtained from the DAA or his designee before forwarding output, which has not had a reliable human review for appropriate security classification and marking, to recipients who do not have system access. Such approval(s) can be for a specific release, for the overall release procedure(s), or for both.
8.B.2.c(2)Marking Printed Output. Individual pages of output shall be marked as appropriate either (a) to reflect the classification and applicable associated security markings of the data that is printed on each page, or (b) with the highest classification and all applicable associated security markings of the data that is to be printed.
8.B.2.c(3)Marking Output From Shared Printers
8.B.2.c(3)(a)At the DAA's discretion, systems operating at Protection Level 1, 2, or 3 shall mark the beginning (banner) page of all human-readable, paged, hardcopy output (printer output) with a human-readable representation of the system's security parameter, which is the highest classification and all appropriate associated security markings of the information processed by the system. For Protection Level 3, procedures shall be implemented to ensure output is given only to authorized users.
8.B.2.c(3)(b)For systems that operate at Protection Level 4 or 5, the banner page of output shall be marked with the appropriate level of classification contained in the document produced.
8.B.2.dVariations. DAAs or their designees may identify specific types of media or hardware components that need not be marked in accordance with this policy so long as they remain within a single, secure environment, and:
8.B.2.d(1)All systems are operating at the same classification level and access authorizations;
8.B.2.d(2)The media or hardware components are documented in the SSP;
8.B.2.d(3)Mechanisms or procedures have been established to provide the security protection intended by this policy; and
8.B.2.d(4)If removed from the single, secure environment, the media are either appropriately marked or sanitized or declassified in accordance with paragraph 8.B.5, below.
8.B.2.eRemovable system media shall be externally marked with the established classification label (or a facsimile of it), specified in Table 8.1 and published by the Information Security Oversight Office (ISOO).
8.B.2.fDefinition. For the purposes of this subsection, the term portable system media means cassette tapes, floppy disks, cartridge disks, reel tapes, hard disks, compact disks, optical disks, and other removable system devices that store non-volatile data.
8.B.2.gImplementation. Security labels shall be conspicuously placed on media; however, their placement must not adversely affect the operation of the equipment on which the media is used. A security label may be placed on the protective cover rather than on the media only if labeling the media would impair operation or if the media is too small to accommodate a label. The intent of marking is to provide a visible indicator of content to support proper handling and storage of the media.
8.B.2.hThe security marking does not replace internal classification control detail. DAAs or their designees shall approve any other identifying marking (e.g., library retrieval number/locator) to be placed externally on the media.
8.B.2.iThe downgrading or declassification instructions applicable to the data contained on the portable system media shall accompany the data when it is transferred from one security control point to another. These instructions may be internal to the media.
8.B.3Manual Review of Human-Readable Output. Before human-readable output is released outside the security boundary, an appropriately authorized individual shall provide a reliable human review of the output to determine whether it is accurately marked with the appropriate classification and applicable associated security markings. The authorized reviewer shall be knowledgeable enough about the data to determine the presence of improper data in the information being reviewed, and shall be cleared for and have formal access approval for he information being reviewed. The review shall be at a level of detail, as set forth by the DAA, to allow the reviewer to accept security responsibility for releasing the data to its recipient.
8.B.3.aThe electronic output (i.e., softcopy) to be released outside the security boundary shall be verified by a review (in human-readable form) of all data including embedded text (e.g., headers and footers, hidden text, notes, edited text, control characters) before being released.
8.B.3.bInformation on media that is not in human-readable form (e.g., embedded graphics, sound, video, imagery) shall be examined for content with the appropriate software, hardware, and firmware. Care is required to ensure that all layers or levels of the graphics or image are reviewed.
8.B.3.cRandom or representative sampling techniques may be used to verify the proper marking of large volumes of output.
8.B.3.dIf available, automated techniques approved by the DAA may be used to verify the proper output marking of data.
8.B.4Media Accountability. Media accountability shall be implemented that provides a set of protection mechanisms comparable to those required for equivalent paper documents. Additional guidance appears in Chapter 5 of the DoD Overprint to the NISPOMSUP.
8.B.5Media Clearing and Sanitization. Storage media shall be physically controlled and safeguarded in the manner prescribed for the most-sensitive designation, or highest classification level, and category of data ever recorded on it until destroyed or sanitized using approved procedures. The SSP shall specify the approved release procedure for the media of a given system. Procedures to be used for the sanitization, declassification, and reuse of storage media are described below:
8.B.5.aClearing vs. Sanitizing vs. Destroying Media.
8.B.5.a(1)Clearing is the process of eradicating the data on the media before reusing the media in an environment that provides an acceptable level of protection for the data that was on the media before clearing. In general, laboratory techniques allow the retrieval of information that has been cleared, but normal operations do not allow such retrieval. Purging or sanitizing is the process of removing the data from the media before reusing the media in an environment that does not provide an acceptable level of protection for the data that was on the media before purging or sanitizing. In general, laboratory techniques cannot retrieve data that has been purged or sanitized. Destroying is the process of physically damaging the media so that it is not usable as media, and so that no known method can retrieve data from it.
8.B.5.a(2)Overwriting, clearing, purging, degaussing, and sanitizing are not synonymous with declassification. Declassification is the separate administrative process resulting in a determination that given media no longer requires protection as classified information. Procedures for declassifying media require DAA approval.
8.B.5.a(2)(a)Overwriting Media
8.B.5.a(2)(a)(1)Overwriting is a software process that replaces the data previously stored on magnetic storage media with a predetermined set of meaningless data. Overwriting is an acceptable method for clearing.
8.B.5.a(2)(a)(2)Several factors can reduce the effectiveness of overwriting. These include ineffectiveness of the overwrite procedures, equipment failure (e.g., misalignment of read/write heads), and inability to overwrite bad sectors or tracks or information in inter-record gaps.
8.B.5.a(2)(a)(3)To clear magnetic disks, overwrite all locations three times (the first time with a random character, the second time with a specified character, and the third time with the complement of that specified character).
8.B.5.a(2)(b)Degaussing Media
8.B.5.a(2)(b)(1)Degaussing (i.e., demagnetizing) is a procedure that reduces the magnetic flux on media virtually to zero by applying a reverse magnetizing field. Properly applied, degaussing renders any previously stored data on magnetic media unreadable and may be used in the sanitization process. Degaussing is more effective than overwriting magnetic media.
8.B.5.a(2)(b)(2)Magnetic media are divided into three types based on their coercivity. Coercivity of magnetic media defines the magnetic field necessary to reduce a magnetically saturated material's magnetization to zero. Type I degaussers are used to degauss Type I media (i.e., media whose coercivity is no greater than 350 Oersteds [Oe]). Type IIa degaussers are used to degauss Type IIa media (i.e., media whose coercivity is no greater than 900 Oe). Currently, no degaussers can effectively degauss all Type III media (i.e., media whose coercivity is over 900 Oe). Some degaussers are rated up to 1700 Oe, but their specific approved rating must be determined prior to use. The correct use of degaussing products improves assurance that data is no longer retrievable and that inadvertent disclosure will not occur.
8.B.5.a(2)(b)(3)Refer to the current issue of NSA's Information Systems Security Products and Services Catalogue (Degausser Products List Section) for the identification of degaussers acceptable for the procedures specified in this manual. The vendor will provide test procedures to verify continued compliance. The ISSM, using these vendor-supplied test procedures, shall ensure testing at least annually of these products to verify that they continue to meet their manufacturers' specifications.
8.B.5.a(3)Sanitizing Media. Sanitization removes information from media or equipment so that data recovery using any known technique or analysis is prevented. Sanitizing is a two-step process that includes removing data from the media by effectively degaussing the media and removing all sensitivity labels, markings, and activity logs. After magnetic media are properly degaussed in accordance with NSA/CSSM 130-2, and all identifying labels removed, they are considered to be sanitized.
8.B.5.a(4)Destroying Media. Data storage media will be destroyed in accordance with PAA-approved methods.
8.B.5.bMedia containing classified information
8.B.5.b(1)Reuse of media. Cleared or sanitized media that has previously contained classified information may be reused at the same classification level (e.g., TS ?? TS), or at a higher level (e.g., S ???TS). Sanitized media may be downgraded or declassified with the DAA's and, as applicable, the Data Owner's approval as specified in the SSP. Only approved equipment and software shall be used to overwrite and degauss magnetic media containing classified information. Each action or procedure taken to overwrite or degauss such media shall be verified.
8.B.5.b(2)Clearing. Only approved equipment and overwriting software that is compatible with the specific hardware for overwriting shall be used to clear media that have contained classified information. Use of such software shall be coordinated in advance with the DAA. The success of the overwrite procedure shall be verified through random sampling of the overwritten media. Items that have been cleared (i.e., not sanitized) shall remain at the previous level of classification and remain in a secure, controlled environment.
8.B.5.b(3)Sanitizing
8.B.5.b(3)(a)Magnetic media containing classified information can be sanitized by use of an approved degaussing procedure. The DAA, with the Data Owner's approval (if applicable), can allow overwriting of some types of classified information as a sanitizing procedure.
8.B.5.b(3)(b)Media that have ever contained Sensitive Compartmented Information, other intelligence information, TOP SECRET SAP information, or Restricted Data cannot be sanitized by overwriting; such media shall be degaussed before release. Media that has ever contained COMSEC material cannot be sanitized at all; it shall be destroyed before release.
8.B.5.b(4)Optical Disks. Optical disks (including compact disk/read only memory, write once/read many, Digital Versatile Disk, and writeable compact discs) offer no mechanism for sanitization and must be destroyed via incineration or any other NSA-approved method. They should be placed in a classified trash bag labeled "non-soluble" and disposed as classified waste.
8.B.5.cMalfunctioning Media. Magnetic storage media that malfunctions or contains features that inhibit overwriting or degaussing shall be reported to the ISSO, who will coordinate repair or destruction with the responsible DAA.
8.B.5.dRelease of Memory Components and Boards
8.B.5.d(1)Before the release of any components or boards from an area used to process or store classified information, whether because they are malfunctioning or because they are no longer needed, the requirements of subsections (2) and (3), below, shall be met. This section applies only to components identified by the vendor or other technically-knowledgeable individual as having the capability of retaining user-addressable data and does not apply to other items (e.g., cabinets, covers, electrical components not associated with data), which may be released without reservation. For the purposes of this document, a memory component is the Lowest Replaceable Unit (LRU) in a hardware device. Memory components reside on boards, modules, and sub-assemblies. A board can be a module, or may consist of several modules and sub-assemblies. Unlike magnetic media sanitization, clearing may be an acceptable method of sanitizing components for release (see NSA/CSSM 130-2). Memory components are specifically handled as either volatile or nonvolatile, as described below.
8.B.5.d(2)Volatile Memory Components. Memory components that do not retain data after removal of all electrical power sources, and when re-inserted into a similarly configured system do not contain residual data, are considered volatile memory components. Volatile components that have contained classified information may be released only in accordance with procedures developed by the ISSO and stated in the SSP. A record shall be maintained of the equipment release indicating that, per a best engineering assessment, all component memory is volatile and that no data remains in or on the component when power is removed.
8.B.5.d(3)Nonvolatile Memory Components. Components that do retain data when all power sources are discontinued are nonvolatile memory components; these include read-only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), or erasable PROM (EPROM), and their variants. Those that have been programmed at the vendor's commercial manufacturing facility, and are considered to be unalterable in the field, may be released. All other nonvolatile components may be released after successful completion of the procedures outlined in NSA/CSSM 130-2. Failure to accomplish these procedures shall require the ISSO to coordinate with the DAA for a determination of releasability.
8.B.5.eRelease of Systems and Components. The ISSO shall develop equipment removal procedures for systems and components that have processed or contained classified or extremely sensitive information; these procedures shall be stated in the SSP. When such equipment is no longer needed, it can be released after:
8.B.5.e(1)Inspection of the system equipment by the ISSO or designee. This review shall assure that all media, including internal disks, have been removed or sanitized.
8.B.5.e(2)Creation of a record of the equipment release indicating the procedure used for sanitization, and to whom the equipment was released. This record shall be retained for a period prescribed by the DAA.
8.B.5.e(3)Using procedures specified by the DAA, notification to the DAA of the release of the equipment.
8.B.5.fDisposal of Printer Cartridges and Ribbons
8.B.5.f(1)Disposal of laser cartridges will be in accordance with DCID 6/9, Annex D, Part II.
8.B.5.f(2)Disposal of thermal ribbons and impact-type ribbons will be in accordance with the DoD Overprint to the NISPOMSUP, Chapter 5, Section 7.
8.B.6Co-Location
8.B.6.aDAA approval is necessary to co-locate classified and unclassified ISs in a Special Access Program Facility (SAPF).
8.B.6.bThe following conditions shall be adhered to:
8.B.6.b(1)An IS approved for processing unclassified information must be clearly marked as such when located within a SAPF.
8.B.6.b(2)An IS approved for processing unclassified information must be physically separated from any classified IS.
8.B.6.b(3)An IS approved for processing unclassified information must not be connected to any classified IS without the PAA's written approval.
8.B.6.b(4)Users must be provided with co-location process and procedures as part of their required security and awareness training.
8.B.6.b(5)The ISSO must document in the SSP the procedures and technical safeguards to ensure the protection of classified information.
8.B.6.b(6)All unmarked media must be treated as classified at the highest level processed by the facility until reviewed and verified.
8.B.6.cAn unclassified portable IS (including personally owned ISs) is prohibited in a SAPF unless the DAA specifically permits its use. If permitted, all personnel shall adhere to the following procedures:
8.B.6.c(1)Connection of an unclassified portable IS to a classified IS is prohibited.
8.B.6.c(2)Connection of an unclassified IS to another unclassified IS may be done only with the DAA's written approval.
8.B.6.c(3)Use of an internal or external modem with the IS device is prohibited within the SAPF without the DAA's written approval.
8.B.6.c(4)The portable ISs and the contained data are subject to random reviews and inspections by the ISSO/ISSM. If classified information is found on the portable IS it shall be handled in accordance with the incident handling policy.
8.B.7Incident Reporting and Response
8.B.7.aA formal incident-reporting program shall be put in place, and it shall be evaluated on a regular basis by the DAA. All security incidents shall be reported to the DAA and the Data Owner through the incident-reporting system. All incidents that may affect (or have affected) systems under more than one DAA shall be reported to the DAA responsible for the affected system. As appropriate, the information shall be forwarded to other involved DAAs and Data Owners. Additionally, organizational investigative agencies shall be immediately apprised of all security incidents and, if deemed necessary and appropriate, shall participate in their resolution.
8.B.7.bProcedures shall be developed by the ISSM and approved by the DAA to provide the appropriate responses to incidents.
8.B.7.cPAAs shall ensure the establishment of an incident reporting and response capability in the components under their purview. Notification to the PAA shall made within 24 hours of incidents involving intelligence information which, if compromised, could affect the safety of human life or could cause exceptionally grave damage to the national security. The PAA shall be notified within 4 days after the determination of:
8.B.7.c(1)The compromise of SAP information resulting from the failure of systems covered by this manual; or
8.B.7.c(2)Attempts by hostile elements (e.g., agents of a foreign intelligence service, recruited insiders, hostile outsiders) to penetrate any of these systems; or
8.B.7.c(3)The discovery of flaws or vulnerabilities that could result in the compromise of DoD SAP information.
8.B.7.dIn the case of interconnected systems or systems that involve two or more PAAs:
8.B.7.d(1)Each DAA with responsibility for the affected system shall report all security-relevant events to affected parties, Data Owners, and all involved PAAs.
8.B.7.d(2)Each system's audit information shall be made available for investigations of security-relevant events.
8.B.8Maintenance. An IS is particularly vulnerable to security threats during maintenance activities. The level of risk is a factor of the nature of the maintenance person's duties, the security awareness of the employees, and the maintenance person's access to classified and unclassified information and facilities. System maintenance requirements and vulnerabilities shall be addressed during all phases of the system life cycle. Specifically, contract negotiations shall consider the security implications of system maintenance. This subsection details requirements necessary for maintaining system security during maintenance.
8.B.8.aCleared Maintenance Personnel
8.B.8.a(1)Except as authorized by the DAA, personnel who perform maintenance on systems shall be cleared to the highest classification level of information on the system, and indoctrinated for all information processed on that system. Cleared personnel who perform maintenance or diagnostics on an IS do not require an escort, unless need-to-know controls must be enforced. However, an appropriately cleared and, when possible, technically knowledgeable, facility employee shall be present within the area where the maintenance is being performed to assure that the proper security and safety procedures are being followed.
8.B.8.a(2)Cleared foreign nationals may be utilized as maintenance personnel for those systems jointly owned and operated by the US and a foreign allied government, or those owned and operated by foreign allied governments. Approvals, consents, and detailed operational conditions must be fully documented within a Memorandum of Agreement and approved by the DAA.
8.B.8.bUncleared (or Lower Cleared) Maintenance Personnel
8.B.8.b(1)If appropriately cleared personnel are unavailable to perform maintenance, an uncleared person, or one cleared to a lower level, may be used provided a fully cleared and technically qualified escort monitors and records that person's activities in a maintenance log.
8.B.8.b(2)For US-owned and operated ISs, uncleared/lower-cleared maintenance personnel must be US citizens. For systems jointly owned and operated by the US and a foreign allied government, or those owned and operated by foreign allied governments, uncleared/lower-cleared foreign nationals may be used. Approvals, consents, and detailed operational conditions must be fully documented within a Memorandum of Agreement and approved by the DAA.
8.B.8.b(3)Prior to maintenance by uncleared/lower-cleared personnel, the IS shall be completely cleared and all nonvolatile data storage media removed or physically disconnected and secured. When a system cannot be cleared, DAA-approved procedures shall be enforced to deny the uncleared/lower-cleared individual visual and electronic access to any classified or sensitive data that is contained on the system.
8.B.8.b(4)A separate, unclassified copy of the operating system and application software, including any micro-coded floppy disks, cassettes, or optical disks that are integral to the IS, shall be used for all maintenance operations performed by uncleared/lower-cleared personnel. The copy shall be labeled "UNCLASSIFIED-FOR MAINTENANCE ONLY" and protected in accordance with procedures established in the SSP. The ISSM must consider on a case-by-case basis maintenance procedures for an information system whose operating system resides on a non-removable storage device.
8.B.8.cGeneral Maintenance Requirements
8.B.8.c(1)A maintenance log shall be maintained. The maintenance log shall include the date and time of maintenance, name of the individual performing the maintenance, name of escort, and a description of the type of maintenance performed, to include identification of replacement parts.
8.B.8.c(2)Maintenance of systems shall be performed on-site whenever possible. Equipment repaired off-site and intended for reintroduction into a facility may require protection from association with that particular facility or program.
8.B.8.c(3)If systems or system components are to be removed from the facility for repair, they shall first be purged, and downgraded to an appropriate level, or sanitized of all classified data and declassified in accordance with DAA-approved procedures. The ISSO or designee shall approve the release of all systems and all parts removed from the system (see section on Release of Memory Components and Boards).
8.B.8.c(4)Introduction of network analyzers (e.g., sniffers) that would allow the maintenance personnel the capability to do promiscuous mode (real time) monitoring shall be approved by the ISSM or designee prior to being introduced into an IS.
8.B.8.c(5)If maintenance personnel bring diagnostic test programs (e.g., software/firmware used for maintenance or diagnostics) into a facility, the media containing the programs (1) shall be checked for malicious code before the media is connected to the system, (2) shall remain within the facility, and (3) shall be stored and controlled at the level of the IS. Prior to entering the facility, the maintenance personnel shall be advised that they will not be allowed to remove media from the facility. If deviation from this procedure is required under special circumstances, then each time the diagnostic test media is introduced into a facility, the media shall undergo stringent integrity checks (e.g., virus scanning, checksum) prior to being used on the IS and, before leaving the facility, the media shall be checked to assure that no classified information has been written on it. Such a deviation requires approval by the ISSM.
8.B.8.c(6)All diagnostic equipment and other devices carried into a facility by maintenance personnel shall be handled as follows:
8.B.8.c(6)(a)Systems and system components being brought into the facility shall be inspected for obvious improper modification.
8.B.8.c(6)(b)Maintenance equipment that has the capability of retaining information shall be appropriately sanitized by procedures outlined in paragraph 8.B.5 before being released. If the equipment cannot be sanitized, the equipment shall remain within the facility, be destroyed, or be released under procedures approved by the DAA and the Data Owner(s) or responsible official(s).
8.B.8.c(6)(c)Replacement components that are brought into the facility for the purpose of swapping with facility components are allowed. However, any component placed into an IS shall remain in the facility until proper release procedures are completed. Any component that is not placed in an IS may be released from the facility.
8.B.8.c(6)(d)Communication devices with transmit capability (e.g., pagers, [RF] LAN connections) belonging to the maintenance personnel or any data storage media not required for the maintenance visit shall remain outside the system facility for return to the maintenance personnel upon departure from the facility.
8.B.8.c(7)Maintenance changes that impact the security of the system shall receive a configuration management review.
8.B.8.c(8)After maintenance has been performed, the security features on the IS shall be checked to assure that the IS is still functioning properly.
8.B.8.dRemote Maintenance (To be used on SAP systems only as approved by the DAA)
8.B.8.d(1)Remote diagnostic or maintenance services are acceptable if performed by a service or organization that provides the same level and category(ies) of security as the IS. The communications links connecting the components of the systems, associated data communications, and networks shall be protected in accordance with national policies and procedures applicable to the sensitivity level of the data that may be transmitted over the link.
8.B.8.d(2)If remote diagnostic or maintenance services are required from a service or organization that does not provide the same level of security required for the system being maintained, the IS shall be sanitized and physically separated from other information systems prior to the connection of the remote access line. If the system cannot be sanitized (e.g., due to a system failure), remote maintenance shall not be allowed.
8.B.8.d(3)Initiation and termination of the remote access shall be performed by the ISSO or designee. Keystroke monitoring shall be performed on all remote diagnostic or maintenance services. A technically qualified person shall review the maintenance log, and if appropriate, the audit log to assure the detection of unauthorized changes. The ISSM/ISSO shall assure that maintenance technicians responsible for performing remote diagnosis/maintenance are advised (e.g., contractually, verbally, or by banner) prior to remote diagnostics/maintenance activities that keystroke monitoring will be performed. Unless an exception has been granted by the DAA, maintenance personnel accessing the information systems at the remote site shall be cleared to the highest level of information processed on that system, even if the system was downgraded/sanitized prior to remote access. Installation and use of remote diagnostic links shall be specifically addressed in the SSP and agreed to by the DAA. An audit log shall be maintained of all remote maintenance, diagnostic, and service transactions including all commands performed and all responses. The log shall be periodically reviewed by the ISSO.
8.B.8.d(4)In addition, other techniques to consider for improving the security of remote maintenance include encryption and decryption of diagnostic communications, strong identification and authentication techniques, such as tokens, and remote disconnect verification. Where possible remote sessions should involve an interactive window for coordination with the information system's ISSM or ISSO. When the work has been completed, the sessions are terminated and the remote connection is physically broken.
8.B.8.d(5)Passwords used during the maintenance process shall be changed following each remote diagnostic maintenance service. All passwords are assigned and controlled by the information system's ISSM or ISSO.
8.B.9Records Management. Records management for information stored in a system or on external media shall be governed by the records management policies of the appropriate agency, based on the guidelines from the National Archives and Records Agency.
8.C.1Communications Security. The communications links connecting the components of the systems, associated data communications, and networks shall be protected in accordance with national policies and procedures applicable to the sensitivity level of the data being transmitted.
8.C.2Protected Hardware, Software, and Firmware
8.C.2.aAll hardware, software, firmware, documentation, and sensitive data handled by the system shall be protected throughout its life cycle to prevent intentional or unintentional disclosure, destruction, or modification (i.e., data integrity shall be maintained). This includes having appropriate personnel, physical, administrative, and configuration controls. Such controls shall be provided for unclassified hardware, software, or firmware, or documentation that may be used to eliminate, circumvent, or otherwise render ineffective the security safeguards for classified information. Unless otherwise specified by the accrediting authority, the degree of control and protection for all IS components shall be at least equal to the highest classification and most restrictive control measures required for the processed data.
8.C.2.bUncleared personnel developing hardware, firmware, software, or data files shall not, to the maximum extent possible, have any knowledge that the software, hardware, firmware or data files will be used in a classified area. Before hardware, firmware, software, or data files that are developed or modified by uncleared personnel can be used in a classified processing period, appropriately cleared, technically knowledgeable personnel shall review them to ensure that no security vulnerabilities or malicious code exist. Software, hardware, and firmware used for maintenance or diagnostics shall be maintained within the secure computing facility and, even though unclassified, shall be separately controlled.
8.C.2.cPersonnel responsible for installing modifications to system- or security-related software, hardware, and firmware or data files on a classified IS shall be cleared to the highest level of information processed or stored. Software, hardware, and firmware that contains security-relevant functions (e.g., sanitization, access control, auditing) shall be validated by the ISSO to confirm that security-related features are fully functional, protected from modification, and effective.
8.C.3EMSEC/TEMPEST. The components of the systems, associated data communications, and networks shall be protected in accordance with national EMSEC/TEMPEST policies and procedures applicable to the sensitivity level of the data being transmitted.
8.C.4Technical Surveillance Countermeasures (TSCM). The components of the systems, associated data communications, and networks shall be protected in accordance with national TSCM policies and procedures applicable to the sensitivity level of the data being transmitted.
8.D.1All technical security safeguards base their effectiveness on the assumption, either explicit or implicit, that all segments of the Security Support Structure have adequate physical security protection.
8.D.2All systems shall comply with the applicable standards for physical protection of the data processed, stored, or transported therein. For facilities housing ISs processing SAP information, the applicable standard is JAFAN 6/9, Physical Security Standards for Special Access Program Facilities (SAPF). Unencrypted SAP information shall be processed only in a SAPF. A Temporary SAPF (TSAPF), set up and formally accredited, is an approved SAPF that may be used to process SAP information for a limited time period.
8.E.1Access by Foreign Nationals to Systems Processing Classified Information. US Government classified information is not releasable to foreign nationals except as authorized by the US Government. Data Owners can designate their information as releasable to individuals of specific nationalities. PAAs/DAAs shall obtain the written permission of all applicable Data Owners before allowing access by foreign nationals to a system that contains information not releasable to individuals of those nationalities. The decision to allow access by foreign nationals to systems that process classified information shall be explicit and shall be in writing.
9.A.1Risk management is the discipline of identifying and measuring security risks associated with an IS, and controlling and reducing those risks to an acceptable level. The goal of risk management is to invest organizational resources to mitigate security risks in a cost-effective manner, while enabling timely and effective mission accomplishment.
9.A.2The risk management process identifies assets to be protected, potential threats and vulnerabilities, and countermeasures and safeguards that can eliminate vulnerabilities or reduce them to levels acceptable for IS accreditation. Risk management is based on careful identification and evaluation of the threats and vulnerabilities that apply to a given IS and its operational environment.
9.A.3The certification process validates that appropriate Levels-of-Concern for integrity and availability and an appropriate Protection Level for confidentiality have been selected from the tables and descriptions (Chapters 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, and Appendix D) in this manual, and that the required safeguards have been implemented on the system as described in the SSP. This process culminates in the accreditation (permission for the system to operate processing specific classification and compartments of information at the approved Protection Level for confidentiality and approved Levels-of-Concern for integrity and availability) by the DAA.
9.A.4The certification and accreditation process, from initial certification and accreditation to the withdrawal of accreditation, covers the entire life cycle of an IS.
9.B.1Risk management is relevant to the entire life cycle of an IS. During IS development, security countermeasures are chosen. During IS implementation and operation, the effectiveness of in-place countermeasures is reconfirmed, and the effect of current threat conditions on system security is assessed to determine if additional countermeasures are needed to sustain the accredited IS's security. In scheduling risk management activities and designating resources, careful consideration should be given to Certification and Accreditation (C&A) goals and milestones. Associated risks can then be assessed and corrective action taken for unacceptable risks. Risk management requires the routine tracking and evaluation of the security state of an IS.
9.B.2The risk management process includes:
9.B.2.aAnalysis of the threats to and vulnerabilities of an information system, as well as of the potential impact that losing the system's information or capabilities would have on national security. This analysis forms a basis for identifying appropriate and cost-effective countermeasures.
9.B.2.bRisk mitigation. Analysis of trade-offs among alternative sets of possible safeguards.
9.B.2.cResidual risk determination. Identification of the risk remaining after applying safeguards.
9.B.2.dAcceptable level of risk. Judicious and carefully considered assessment by the appropriate DAA that the residual risk inherent in operating the IS after implementing all proposed security features is acceptable.
9.B.2.eA reactive or responsive risk management process. To facilitate investigation of, and response to, incidents.
9.B.3For interconnected systems, all of the requirements stated in paragraph 9.B.2, above, shall be applied to connections, including any changes or requested changes to, and exploitation (potential or real) of, connections.
9.B.4Initial information gathering for the risk management process determines mission requirements (e.g., requirements for timeliness, confidentiality, availability, and correctness of information), resources available to mitigate risks (e.g., financial, staffing), constraints (e.g., commitment to use specific information technologies, architectures, or products), and applicable policies and requirements. This information should be made available and updated as necessary throughout the IS life cycle. Risk management activities provide important information for DAAs and typically include:
9.B.4.aRisk analysis. The analysis and assessment of information regarding threats, vulnerabilities and assets.
9.B.4.bCost/benefit analysis. An analysis of the costs of providing and maintaining a safeguard versus the cost of losing or compromising the information or IS resource, including the operational impact of implementing a security safeguard.
9.B.4.cSecurity test and evaluation. An analysis of the safeguards protecting an IS in a given operational environment, for the purpose of determining the security posture of that system.
9.B.4.dCountermeasure implementation. The implementation of any action, device, procedure, technique, or other measure that reduces risk.
9.B.4.ePenetration testing. Security testing in which the testers attempt to circumvent the security features of an IS based on their understanding of the system design and implementation.
9.B.4.fIS review. A periodic review of the security posture of an IS, done at regular intervals and whenever there are any major changes to the IS.
9.B.5Chapters 3, 4, 5, and 6 provide guidance for determining the correct safeguards to employ at the selected Integrity and Availability Levels-of-Concern and the Confidentiality Protection Level. Chapter 7 provides guidance regarding the appropriate safeguards to employ when interconnecting information systems and using advanced technology. This guidance is generic, and addresses only minimum security requirements. Specific threats, vulnerabilities, or constraints associated with an IS and its environment may impose additional security requirements on an IS or the substitution of safeguards from different security disciplines.
9.B.6The following, additional risk management considerations apply when systems are interconnected:
9.B.6.aThe risk management process must address new risks encountered by individual systems and the interconnected infrastructures to which they will connect.
9.B.6.bThe risk management process must address the concerns and requirements of the organizations and elements (e.g., Data Owners) that are part of the information infrastructure being used to achieve interconnectivity.
9.B.6.cAdditional constraints can arise due to organizational commitments to specific technologies or architectures, variations in policies or treaty agreements.
9.B.6.dRisk management responsibilities may be shared by multiple DAAs.
9.C.1Certification is the comprehensive evaluation of the technical and non-technical security features of an IS and other safeguards, made as part of and in support of the accreditation process, to establish the extent to which a particular design and implementation meet a specified set of security requirements.
9.C.2The certification process validates that appropriate Levels-of-Concern for integrity and availability and an appropriate Confidentiality Protection Level have been selected from the tables and descriptions (Chapters 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, and Appendix D) in this manual, and that the required safeguards have been implemented on the system as described in the SSP.
9.C.3The ISSM shall provide a package of certification documentation to the DAA. This certification package shall include (1) the SSP; (2) the test plans, if system testing is required; (3) the test results (or, at the DAA's discretion, a summary of the test results); (4) a statement that the system implements the required security safeguards as described in the SSP; (5) an identification of any additional safeguards required by the DAA; (6) an identification of factors mitigating potential risk; and (7) a recommendation for DAA approval or disapproval.
9.C.4The certification process culminates in an accreditation decision by the DAA.
9.D.1Overview
9.D.1.aThe accreditation of an IS is the official management decision to operate an IS in a specified environment. The certification findings for the IS are the principal technical inputs to the accreditation decision. Therefore, the DAA is involved from the start of the system to ensure that accreditation goals are clearly defined. A DAA assumes responsibility for the decision to allow an IS to operate and therefore must be satisfied that the certification can support an informed decision. The accreditation statement is the DAA's acceptance of responsibility for the appropriateness of IS security as implemented.
9.D.1.bAn IS accreditation provides formal approval for an IS to operate, and identifies the following:
9.D.1.b(1)Stated operational concept and environment, including mission criticality and characterization of user communities (i.e., approximate number of users, clearance, formal access approvals, need-to-know, privileges).
9.D.1.b(2)Classification and sensitivity of the information on the IS, including specific applicable classifications, compartments, caveats, control markings, and special handling instructions that may be handled by the IS.
9.D.1.b(3)A given Confidentiality Protection Level.
9.D.1.b(4)A given Integrity Level-of-Concern.
9.D.1.b(5)A given Availability Level-of-Concern.
9.D.1.b(6)Specified operating conditions, including prescribed safeguards.
9.D.1.b(7)Stated interconnections with other ISs, when applicable.
9.D.1.b(8)A specified period of time.
9.D.1.cA DAA's accreditation of an IS and its environment is an assertion of an acceptable level of security risk. Acceptable security risk is the expectation that an IS will adequately protect against unauthorized access, alteration, or use of an IS's resources, and against denial of the IS's services to authorized users. This expectation is based on the assumption of continuous employment of administrative, procedural, physical, personnel, communications security, emanations security, and IS security controls. IS security controls can be features of the software, hardware, or firmware of an IS, or associated security-specific devices.
9.D.1.dBoth ISs under development and ISs in operation can be accredited. ISs in operation shall be re-accredited whenever security-relevant changes occur in an IS or its operational environment. Even if no security-relevant changes occur, the accreditations shall be re-evaluated every three years.
9.D.2Accreditation Authority
9.D.2.aSAP System Accreditations
9.D.2.a(1)For the Department of the Air Force, Special Access Program Information Systems or components of such systems (e.g., automated guards, security filters, or controlled interfaces) that operate at Protection Levels 4 and 5 may be accredited only by their respective PAA, who is the Director, Security and Special Programs Oversight, Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force. The PAA may delegate, in writing, to the extent the PAA considers appropriate, the authority to accredit systems operating at Protection Levels 1, 2, or 3; but the PAA retains the ultimate responsibility for the security for the information processed in those systems.
9.D.2.a(2)For the Department of the Army, Special Access Program Information Systems or components of such systems (e.g., automated guards, security filters, or controlled interfaces) that operate at Protection Levels 4 and 5 may only be accredited by their respective PAA, who is US Army Technology Management Office, DACS-DMP. The PAA may delegate, in writing, to the extent the PAA considers appropriate, the authority to accredit systems operating at Protection Levels 1, 2, or 3; but the PAA retains the ultimate responsibility for the security for the information processed in those systems.
9.D.2.a(3)For the Department of the Navy, Special Access Program Information Systems or components of such systems (e.g., automated guards, security filters, or controlled interfaces) that operate at Protection Levels 4 and 5 may only be accredited by their respective PAA, who is the Director of Special Programs (N7SP), Department of Navy. The PAA may delegate, in writing, to the extent the PAA considers appropriate, the authority to accredit systems operating at Protection Levels 1, 2, or 3; but the PAA retains the ultimate responsibility for the security for the information processed in those systems.
9.D.2.bJoint Accreditations
9.D.2.b(1)For systems operating under the purview of more than one PAA, the following guidelines shall be followed:
9.D.2.b(1)(a)For systems processing DoD SAP data:
9.D.2.b(1)(a)(1)Systems operating at Protection Levels 4 or 5 that are under the purview of three or more PAAs shall be jointly certified by a panel or board consisting of representatives of the affected parties.
9.D.2.b(1)(a)(2)Systems operating at Protection Level 3 that are under the purview of three or more PAAs shall be jointly certified by a panel or board consisting of representatives of the affected parties, and accredited by a single accrediting authority by mutual agreement.
9.D.2.b(1)(a)(3)Systems operating at Protection Level 2 that are under the purview of three or more PAAs may be jointly certified by a panel or board consisting of representatives of the affected parties, and accredited by a single accrediting authority by mutual agreement.
9.D.2.b(1)(b)For systems processing intelligence and DoD SAP data. Systems shall be accredited separately (i.e., via two separate accreditations) or jointly by the cognizant intelligence DAA and SAP DAA as per the guidance in paragraph
9.D.2.a,above, and in DCID 6/3.
9.D.2.b(2)For systems processing DoD SAP information, operating under the purview of more than one PAA, and that are not jointly certified by a panel or board:
9.D.2.b(2)(a)A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) shall be required between the cognizant PAAs; the MOA should name a lead PAA, who will be responsible for the system certification. If no lead PAA is named, then both parties shall share responsibility.
9.D.2.b(2)(b)The MOA shall be included in the SSP.
9.D.3Accreditation Process. Before accrediting a system to operate, the DAA shall (1) determine the IS's Confidentiality Protection Levels, and the Integrity and Availability Levels-of Concern, (2) inform the ISSM/ISSO of the DAA determination, (3) ensure that satisfactory safeguards (i.e., those requirements specified in Chapters 4, 5, and 6 for the Confidentiality Protection Level, and the Integrity and Availability Levels-of-Concern, respectively) have been implemented, (4) ensure that the applicable requirements specified in Chapter 7 ("Requirements for Interconnected Systems and Advanced Technology") and Chapter 8 ("Administrative Security Requirements") have been implemented, and (5) ensure that the residual risk is within acceptable limits. An impartial party selected by the DAA shall determine the level of residual risk. The impartial party may not be the system developer(s). However, the ultimate responsibility for accepting the residual risk rests with the DAA. While the DAA assumes formal responsibility for operating a system (and accepting the risk of such operation), the Data Owner has statutory responsibility for the information processed on the system. As such, the Data Owner has the authority to revoke permission to process information on the system if unsatisfied with the protection provided by the system. The Data Owner shall notify the PAA/DAA of any decision to revoke access to information.
9.D.3.aAccreditation of Similar Systems
9.D.3.a(1)At the DAA's discretion, the DAA can determine that systems in a group are, for accreditation purposes, essentially the same. Systems can be considered as "essentially the same" if (1) the Protection Levels and the Levels-of-Concern are the same; (2) the users have at least the required clearances and access approvals for all information on the systems; (3) the systems are processing the same level(s) and specific set(s) of information; (4) the system configurations are essentially the same; and (5) the environments of the systems are essentially the same. If the DAA chooses to accredit this set of systems as a unit, then an SSP may be written and approved by the DAA, to cover all of the similar systems. This type of approval applies only to systems operating at Protection Levels 1 and 2 (Chapter 3), and under the purview of a single DAA. The SSP for these systems shall specify the information required for certification of each system to be accredited under this procedure. The DAA shall accredit the first system under the SSP. All of the other individual systems to be operated under such an SSP shall be tested by the ISSO and certified by the ISSM as meeting the conditions of the approved SSP. This certification, in effect, accredits the individual system to operate under the SSP. The ISSM shall retain a copy of each certification report with the approved copy of the SSP and make a copy available to the DAA.
9.D.3.a(2)In determining whether two sets of systems are "similar" for the purposes of this section, consideration must be given to any required changes to the SSP. Adding similar systems requires changes only in identification, such as location, internal system configuration, and so forth. Any other required changes, such as administrative control outside the purview of a single DAA, indicate that the systems are not "similar" within the meaning of this section.
9.D.3.a(3)A Master System Security Plan (MSSP) may also be used to refer to and identify common security information for "similar systems" at a given site or facility as specified above. In this case, the MSSP shall include the identity of all systems covered. Such a listing can be as simple as a reference to a particular database containing the identifying information and locations of applicable systems.
9.D.3.bSite-Based Accreditation
9.D.3.b(1)The DAA may choose an alternate accreditation approach that consolidates all systems at a location into a single management entity called a "Site". The size and bounds of each site are determined by the relationship of each system (component) to the infrastructure, command lines of authority, and the span of control of the site's ISSM. Site accreditation begins with all systems at the site being evaluated and certified. The site is then accredited as a single entity, and the ISSM may be delegated the authority to add more systems to the site.
9.D.3.b(2)A Site Security CONOPS and a Site Security Architecture are required for site-based accreditation and shall contain a listing of all systems covered under the site-based accreditation, a description of how the site complies with the requirements of this manual, and a wiring diagram showing external connections.
9.D.3.cInterconnected Systems
9.D.3.c(1)The accreditor for a system that is to be connected to another system shall consider the security characteristics of the other system, as well as the security characteristics of all systems directly connected to the other systems. This has been described as considering connections "one layer further." If any of the systems that are "one layer further" are considered a greater security risk (e.g., having users of a lower security level), then the accreditor should consider increasing the Protection Level or Integrity Level-of-Concern, or both.
9.D.3.c(2)The DAA for each interconnected system is responsible for ensuring that all data is properly protected by each system that is directly connected to the DAA's system.
9.D.3.c(3)The security requirements applicable to the interconnected systems are determined by (a) the Confidentiality Protection Level and the Integrity and Availability Levels-of-Concern of the interconnected systems (Chapters 4, 5, and 6, and Appendix D), (b) their interface characteristics (Chapter 7), and (c) their operational environment.
9.D.3.c(4)An Interconnection Security Agreement (ISA) is required whenever an accredited system is connected to a system accredited by a different DAA*. The contents of such an ISA are specified in Appendix A.
9.D.3.c(5)Chapter 7 of this manual contains further requirements for interconnected systems.
9.D.4Accreditation Decision. Based on all available documentation and mitigating factors, the DAA shall decide whether to grant:
9.D.4.aAccreditation approval for the system to operate as certified.
9.D.4.bAccreditation disapproval, including recommendations and time lines for correcting specified deficiencies.
9.D.4.cInterim approval to operate, identifying the steps and any additional controls to be completed prior to full accreditation.
9.D.4.c(1)The DAA may grant interim approval to operate a system to meet written validated requirements or to permit a major conversion of a system. This interim accreditation may be granted for up to 180 days and can be renewed once for an additional 180 days. By the end of the second 180-day period, the system shall either be accredited or cease operation.
9.D.4.c(2)Protection measures specified by the DAA shall be in place and functioning during the period of interim approval.
9.D.4.c(3)A system that is under development or major modification, and is expected to be under development or major modification for an extended period, can be accredited to operate in such an environment. Such an accreditation shall include detailed descriptions of changes (or types of changes) that would not require additional DAA approvals, and changes (or types of changes) that would require additional DAA approvals.
9.D.5Invalidation of an Accreditation. An accreditation immediately becomes invalid whenever detrimental, security-relevant changes occur to any of the following: the required Protection Level, the operational environment, the operational concept, or the interconnections. Any non-DAA-approved security-relevant changes to the IS may result in the invalidation of the accreditation.
9.D.6Withdrawal of Accreditation
9.D.6.aThe DAA shall withdraw accreditation and suspend operation if the security measures and controls established and approved for the system do not remain effective.
9.D.6.bThe DAA shall withdraw accreditation when the system is no longer required to process SAP information, or if the operational need for the system no longer outweighs the risk of operating the system.
9.D.7Re-evaluation of an Accreditation
9.D.7.aAn accreditation shall be re-evaluated within three years after it is issued or whenever any security-relevant change occurs. An accreditation shall immediately be re-evaluated upon a detrimental, security-relevant change in the threat to, or vulnerability of the system; a change to the technical or non-technical security requirements; or a significant increase in the level of residual risk.
9.D.7.bRe-evaluation of an accreditation involves a determination by the DAA, based on a recommendation by the ISSM, whether the original accreditation is still valid. The DAA can re-accredit the system or require further action.
9.E.1The C&A process (from initial certification and accreditation to the withdrawal of accreditation) covers the entire life cycle of an IS. The C&A process depends upon careful identification of the security-relevant aspects of an IS. A complete IS certification considers a large number of factors associated with the IS and its operational environment. These factors include identification of the DAA; mission criticality; functional requirements; IS security boundaries; applicable security policies; security CONOPS; IS configuration; IS components; user characteristics and authorizations (e.g., includes foreign nationals, integrees, contractors); IS applications; site/facility locations; external interfaces and interconnections; Protection Level; Levels of Concern; classification of the data and associated caveats; IS and data ownership; risk analysis, including threat and vulnerability assessments and countermeasure implications; and counterintelligence aspects.
9.E.2This section discusses the points in the IS life cycle (both development and operation) at which the requirements of this document are usually applied.
9.E.2.aSystems Under Development. The various phases of system development are described below and depicted in Table 9.1.
9.E.2.a(1)Design and Development Phase
9.E.2.a(1)(a)The Confidentiality Protection Level and the Availability and Integrity Levels-of-Concern are determined. See Chapters 4, 5, and 6 for specific requirements.
9.E.2.a(1)(b)The security requirements are defined using the matrices and requirements tables in this document.
9.E.2.a(1)(c)The threats to an IS and its vulnerabilities to the threats are identified. All known hardware, software, firmware, operational, and environmental vulnerabilities are identified. A determination is made whether or not the requirements of this manual satisfactorily mitigate the vulnerabilities. If they do not, it may be necessary to specify additional security requirements.
9.E.2.a(1)(d)The SSP for the IS is developed and submitted to the DAA (or a DAA representative) for approval. This step is a prerequisite for starting the IS's Fabrication and Production Phase.
9.E.2.a(2)First Test and Evaluation (T&E I) Phase. During T&E I, the Certification Test Plan and Test Procedures are developed. The Certification Test Plan outlines the IS certification test. It describes the test sets needed to demonstrate that the IS implements its security requirements. The plan also gives specific guidelines for conducting the tests. Certification test procedures expand the test set descriptions into step-by-step descriptions of the security requirement tests.
9.E.2.a(3)Second Test and Evaluation (T&E II) Phase
9.E.2.a(3)(a)Most of the C&A process is conducted during T&E II. Once functional testing is complete, the security test and evaluation is conducted based on the Certification Test Plan and Test Procedures. Shortfalls and vulnerabilities are identified, and risks are analyzed. The outcome of the risk analysis is used to develop a plan to address shortfalls. The plan includes actions required to fix or work around particular shortfalls. The Certification Package (see paragraph 9.C, above) is then prepared and submitted to the DAA.
9.E.2.a(3)(b)The DAA reviews the Certification Package and uses its information as the basis for the accreditation decision. The DAA considers all relevant factors in determining whether to accredit a system. These factors include security environment, system mission, availability and cost of alternative countermeasures, and residual risks. The DAA may also consider factors that transcend security, such as program and schedule risks.
9.E.2.a(4)Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Phase. Changes to the IS's security structure may require recertification and reaccreditation (see paragraphs 9.C and 9.D, above).
9.E.2.a(5)Disposal Phase. When the IS is no longer required, the process ends with its secure disposal.
9.E.2.bOperational Systems. These systems shall be accredited under the requirements of this document. All of the steps listed in paragraph 9.E.2.a, above, will be conducted. Except for disposal, this process will be conducted under the O&M Phase. Prudent risk management dictates that careful consideration be given before adding expensive additional safeguards to a system that has an extensive history of operation with effective security. DAAs accrediting existing systems are strongly encouraged to give appropriate weight to the system's operating history.
9.F.1Limitations in resources and technical capabilities may prevent the satisfaction of all security requirements without introducing unacceptable delay in achieving the operational requirements that the system was intended to satisfy. Therefore, DAAs are authorized to grant written exceptions* to some security requirements identified in this manual under the following conditions:
9.F.1.aThe written request for an exception shall state explicitly:
9.F.1.a(1)The requirements that are to be excepted and for what duration. The request shall include evidence stating why the identified requirements cannot be implemented, and indicate the countermeasures that are to be substituted.
9.F.1.a(2)What aspect of the threat or associated vulnerabilities is related to the proposed request. The request shall include evidence that the consequent risk to the system and to the information it processes, stores, or transmits will be acceptable based on other countermeasures that will be employed over the specified period.
9.F.1.a(3)A plan for implementing the "excepted" security requirements later in the life cycle of the system shall be developed.
9.F.1.a(4)Approval of the exception will make it incumbent upon the accrediting authority responsible for the system to ensure that the necessary programmatic, planning, and funding steps are taken to ensure implementation of any security requirements that are temporarily postponed as a consequence of approval of the exception.
9.F.2There shall be no exceptions to the following requirements:
9.F.2.aDevelopment of a System Security Plan (including a User's Security Guide when applicable).
9.F.2.bImplementation of a security training and awareness program.
9.F.2.cCompliance with all applicable physical, personnel, and communications security requirements.
9.F.2.dThe appointment of an ISSO.
9.F.2.eCompletion of risk management requirements described in paragraph 9.B, above, the certification process described in paragraph 9.C, above, and the formal acceptance of the risk of operation by the designated accrediting authority as specified in paragraph
2.B.4,above.
9.G.1General
9.G.1.aThis subsection describes several categories (e.g., dedicated servers, embedded systems, tactical systems) of ISs that can often be adequately secured without implementation of all the technical features specified in Chapters 4, 5, and 6. These systems are not exceptions or special cases of the requirements specified in Chapters 4, 5, and 6.
9.G.1.bUnthinkingly applying the technical security requirements specified in Chapters 4, 5, and 6 to these ISs could result in unnecessary costs and operational impacts. In general, the technical question is where, when, and how to apply a given set of safeguards, rather than whether to apply the safeguards. For many of these special ISs (such as dedicated servers, and tactical, data acquisition, and embedded systems), the physical security protections for the IS provide the required access control, while the application running on the platform provides the required user separation.
9.G.1.cThese special systems still must undergo the C&A process (including risk management) described earlier in this chapter. A key part of that C&A process for these systems is determining whether all of the technical features specified in Chapters 4, 5, and 6 are applicable.
9.G.2Dedicated Servers
9.G.2.aCertain specialized ISs, when acting as part of a network as dedicated servers, may need fewer technical security countermeasures. These ISs have the characteristics listed below:
9.G.2.a(1)No user code is present on the IS.
9.G.2.a(2)Only IS administrators and maintainers can access the system.
9.G.2.a(3)The IS provides non-interactive services to clients (e.g., packet routing or messaging services).
9.G.2.a(4)The hardware and/or application providing network services otherwise meets the security requirements of the network.
9.G.2.a(5)The risk of attack against the Security Support Structure using network communications paths is low.
9.G.2.a(6)The risk of attack against the Security Support Structure using physical access to the system itself is sufficiently low.
9.G.2.bThe platform (i.e., hardware and operating system) on which the dedicated server runs usually needs meet no more than Protection Level 2 security requirements. The dedicated server may have a large number of clients (i.e., individuals who use the server's functional capabilities in a severely constrained way). The server application itself will have to provide the more stringent technical protections appropriate for the system's Protection Level and operational environment. Assurances appropriate to the Protection Level and Levels-of-Concern for the IS shall be implemented.
9.G.2.cAn IS that does have general users or does execute general user code is not a dedicated server within the meaning of this section, and so shall meet all security requirements specified for its Protection Level and operational environment.
9.G.2.dThe term "dedicated server" is not intended to limit the applicability of this section to systems that have traditionally been referred to as servers. For example, a messaging system implemented on a general-purpose computer platform could be accredited under this manual and, if such a system meets the specifications in a., above, the system's technical requirements could be characterized by this section.
9.G.2.eThe use of the above technical security requirements does not imply any relaxation in other security requirements (e.g., physical and communications security requirements), which are determined by the information handled or protected by the IS. Changes to technical requirements are predicated upon adequate application of physical security and other appropriate security disciplines.
9.G.3Embedded and Special-Purpose ISs. Some ISs have no general users, are incapable of alteration by users, and are designed and implemented to provide a very limited set of predetermined functions. For such ISs, if the DAA determines that the applications running on the IS provide an adequate level of security, then the security requirements specified in Chapters 4, 5, and 6 do not apply.
9.G.4Tactical or Deployable Systems. A tactical system may be part of a fixed location or maintained in a deployable configuration so that it can be moved quickly to another location to support operational mission requirements. The system can operate in a stand-alone mode or be attached via communications to a mobile or fixed facility under an extended LAN or WAN configuration. Tactical systems shall provide the appropriate Protection Level and Levels-of-Concern based upon the operating environment, network connection requirements, portability, and degree of access to other systems. The Protection Level and Levels-of-Concern shall be applied while the system is in-garrison, in-transit, and/or deployed. The DAA may require additional security requirements or safeguards for tactical systems while in-transit or in the deployed environment.
9.G.5ISs With Group Authenticators
9.G.5.aMany of the security measures specified in this manual assume that an IS includes an acceptable level of individual accountability. This is normally assured by the use of unique user identifiers and authenticators. Operationally, the design of some ISs necessitates more than one individual using the same identifier/authenticator combination. Such situations are often referred to as requiring the use of group authenticators.
9.G.5.bIn general, the use of group authenticators precludes the association of a particular act with the individual who initiated that act. In turn, this can preclude assignment of responsibility and can exacerbate the difficulties involved in incident investigation. DAAs shall avoid situations in which the group authenticator is effectively the sole access control mechanism for the system. Use of group authenticators for broader access after the use of a unique authenticator for initial identification and authentication carries much less risk. The use of group authenticators shall be explicitly authorized by the DAA.
9.G.5.cPositions and applications requiring the use of group authenticators shall be discussed in the SSP.
9.G.6Information Systems Using Periods Processing
9.G.6.aAn IS is said to operate in a periods processing environment if it is appropriately sanitized between operations in differing Protection Level periods, or with differing user communities or data.
9.G.6.bAs long as the sanitization procedures between each Protection Level segment have been approved by the DAA based on guidelines from the Data Owner(s) or responsible official(s), the IS need meet only the security requirements of each processing period, while in that period. If the sanitization procedures for use between periods are approved by the DAA(s), the security requirements for a given period are considered in isolation, without consideration of other processing periods. Such sanitization procedures shall be detailed in the SSP.
9.G.6.cUnder periods processing, the highest sensitivity level and the most restrictive data processed on the system will determine the DAA. The DAA shall coordinate authorizations for using the system at lower or less restrictive levels.
9.G.7Single-User, Standalone ISs. Extensive technical safeguards are normally inappropriate and inordinately expensive for single-user, standalone ISs. DAAs can approve administrative and environmental protections for such ISs, in lieu of technical safeguards. Except for systems that operate in a periods processing environment as specified above, ISs that have one user at a time, but have a total of more than one user, are multi-user ISs, and the DAA shall consider the systems as such in determining the Protection Level and the resulting security requirements.