AC-4(29)_filter-orchestration-engines

AC-4(29) Filter Orchestration Engines

Enhancement of: AC-4

High-Level Description

Family: Access Control (AC) Framework: NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5

Content filtering is the process of inspecting information as it traverses a cross-domain solution and determines if the information meets a predefined security policy. An orchestration engine coordinates the sequencing of activities (manual and automated) in a content filtering process. Errors are defined as either anomalous actions or unexpected termination of the content filter process. This is not the same as a filter failing content due to non-compliance with policy. Content filter reports are a commonly used mechanism to ensure that expected filtering actions are completed successfully.

What to Check

• Verify AC-4(29) Filter Orchestration Engines is documented in SSP
• Validate all 2 control requirements are implemented
• Confirm control is operating effectively
• Review evidence of continuous monitoring for AC-4(29)
• Verify enhancement builds upon base control AC-4

How to Test

Step 1: Review Documentation

Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for AC-4(29) implementation details. Verify the organization has documented how this control is satisfied.

Step 2: Validate Implementation

# For cloud environments, use cloud-audit-mcp tools
# For on-premises, review system configurations directly

# Example: Check if account management policies exist
grep -r "account.management\|access.control" /etc/security/ 2>/dev/null

Step 3: Test Operating Effectiveness

Verify the control is actively functioning, not just documented. Check logs, configurations, and operational evidence.

Tools

Remediation Guide

Control Statement

When transferring information between different security domains, employ content filter orchestration engines to ensure that: Content filtering mechanisms successfully complete execution without errors; and Content filtering actions occur in the correct order and comply with [organization-defined].

Implementation Guidance

Content filtering is the process of inspecting information as it traverses a cross-domain solution and determines if the information meets a predefined security policy. An orchestration engine coordinates the sequencing of activities (manual and automated) in a content filtering process. Errors are defined as either anomalous actions or unexpected termination of the content filter process. This is not the same as a filter failing content due to non-compliance with policy. Content filter reports are a commonly used mechanism to ensure that expected filtering actions are completed successfully.

Risk Assessment

CWE Categories

References

• NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 - AC-4(29)
• NIST SP 800-53A Rev 5 (Assessment Procedures)
• NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 Full Catalog

Checklist

• Control documented in SSP
• Implementation evidence collected
• Operating effectiveness validated
• Continuous monitoring in place
• Related controls (none) reviewed