AU-13(2)_review-of-monitored-sites

AU-13(2) Review of Monitored Sites

Enhancement of: AU-13

High-Level Description

Family: Audit and Accountability (AU) Framework: NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5

Reviewing the current list of open-source information sites being monitored on a regular basis helps to ensure that the selected sites remain relevant. The review also provides the opportunity to add new open-source information sites with the potential to provide evidence of unauthorized disclosure of organizational information. The list of sites monitored can be guided and informed by threat intelligence of other credible sources of information.

What to Check

• Verify AU-13(2) Review of Monitored Sites is documented in SSP
• Confirm control is operating effectively
• Review evidence of continuous monitoring for AU-13(2)
• Verify enhancement builds upon base control AU-13

How to Test

Step 1: Review Documentation

Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for AU-13(2) 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

Review the list of open-source information sites being monitored [organization-defined].

Implementation Guidance

Reviewing the current list of open-source information sites being monitored on a regular basis helps to ensure that the selected sites remain relevant. The review also provides the opportunity to add new open-source information sites with the potential to provide evidence of unauthorized disclosure of organizational information. The list of sites monitored can be guided and informed by threat intelligence of other credible sources of information.

Risk Assessment

CWE Categories

References

• NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 - AU-13(2)
• 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