CP-2(6)_alternate-processing-and-storage-sites

CP-2(6) Alternate Processing and Storage Sites

Enhancement of: CP-2

High-Level Description

Family: Contingency Planning (CP) Framework: NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5

Organizations may choose to conduct contingency planning activities for alternate processing and storage sites as part of business continuity planning or business impact analyses. Primary processing and/or storage sites defined by organizations as part of contingency planning may change depending on the circumstances associated with the contingency.

What to Check

• Verify CP-2(6) Alternate Processing and Storage Sites is documented in SSP
• Confirm control is operating effectively
• Review evidence of continuous monitoring for CP-2(6)
• Verify enhancement builds upon base control CP-2

How to Test

Step 1: Review Documentation

Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for CP-2(6) 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

Plan for the transfer of [organization-defined] mission and business functions to alternate processing and/or storage sites with minimal or no loss of operational continuity and sustain that continuity through system restoration to primary processing and/or storage sites.

Implementation Guidance

Organizations may choose to conduct contingency planning activities for alternate processing and storage sites as part of business continuity planning or business impact analyses. Primary processing and/or storage sites defined by organizations as part of contingency planning may change depending on the circumstances associated with the contingency.

Risk Assessment

CWE Categories

References

• NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 - CP-2(6)
• 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