AT-2(5)_advanced-persistent-threat

AT-2(5) Advanced Persistent Threat

Enhancement of: AT-2

High-Level Description

Family: Awareness and Training (AT) Framework: NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5

An effective way to detect advanced persistent threats (APT) and to preclude successful attacks is to provide specific literacy training for individuals. Threat literacy training includes educating individuals on the various ways that APTs can infiltrate the organization (e.g., through websites, emails, advertisement pop-ups, articles, and social engineering). Effective training includes techniques for recognizing suspicious emails, use of removable systems in non-secure settings, and the potential targeting of individuals at home.

What to Check

• Verify AT-2(5) Advanced Persistent Threat is documented in SSP
• Confirm control is operating effectively
• Review evidence of continuous monitoring for AT-2(5)
• Verify enhancement builds upon base control AT-2

How to Test

Step 1: Review Documentation

Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for AT-2(5) 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

Provide literacy training on the advanced persistent threat.

Implementation Guidance

An effective way to detect advanced persistent threats (APT) and to preclude successful attacks is to provide specific literacy training for individuals. Threat literacy training includes educating individuals on the various ways that APTs can infiltrate the organization (e.g., through websites, emails, advertisement pop-ups, articles, and social engineering). Effective training includes techniques for recognizing suspicious emails, use of removable systems in non-secure settings, and the potential targeting of individuals at home.

Risk Assessment

CWE Categories

References

• NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 - AT-2(5)
• 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