Overview:
Periodically assess the security controls in organizational information systems to determine if the controls are effective in their application.
Action Items:
3.12.1[a]
Determine if: the frequency of security control assessments is defined.
3.12.1[b]
Determine if: security controls are assessed with the defined frequency to determine if the controls are effective in their application.
POTENTIAL ASSESSMENT METHODS AND OBJECTS
1
Examine: Security assessment and authorization policy; procedures addressing security assessment planning; procedures addressing security assessments; security assessment plan; system security plan; other relevant documents or records].
2
Interview: Personnel with security assessment responsibilities; personnel with information security responsibilities].
3
Test: Mechanisms supporting security assessment, security assessment plan development, and security assessment reporting].
Related Documents (document name and content will vary by organization):
1) Security assessment and authorization policy
2) procedures addressing security assessment planning
3) procedures addressing security assessments
4) security assessment plan
5) system security plan
6) other relevant documents or records
Additional Guidance:
Organizations assess security controls in organizational systems and the environments in which those systems operate as part of system development life cycle activities. Security assessments ensure that information security is built into organizational systems; identify weaknesses and deficiencies early in the development process; provide essential information needed to make riskbased decisions; and ensure compliance to vulnerability mitigation procedures. Assessments are conducted on the implemented security controls as documented in system security plans.
Security assessment reports document assessment results in sufficient detail as deemed necessary by organizations, to determine the accuracy and completeness of the reports and whether the security controls are implemented correctly, operating as intended, and producing the desired outcome with respect to meeting security requirements. Security assessment results are provided to the individuals or roles appropriate for the types of assessments being conducted.
Organizations ensure that security assessment results are current, relevant to the determination of security control effectiveness, and obtained with the appropriate level of assessor independence. Organizations can choose to use other types of assessment activities such as vulnerability scanning and system monitoring to maintain the security posture of systems during the life cycle. NIST Special Publication 800-53A provides guidance on developing security assessment plans and for conducting assessments. NIST Special Publication 800-53 provides guidance on security and privacy controls for systems and organizations
Article ID: 189
Created: September 26, 2022
Last Updated: September 26, 2022
Author: Matthew Burdick
Online URL: http://www.compliancewiki.org/article/nist-800-171-periodic-security-assessments-3-12-1-189.html