PS-3(1)_classified-information

PS-3(1) Classified Information

Enhancement of: PS-3

High-Level Description

Family: Personnel Security (PS) Framework: NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5

Classified information is the most sensitive information that the Federal Government processes, stores, or transmits. It is imperative that individuals have the requisite security clearances and system access authorizations prior to gaining access to such information. Access authorizations are enforced by system access controls (see AC-3 ) and flow controls (see AC-4).

What to Check

• Verify PS-3(1) Classified Information is documented in SSP
• Confirm control is operating effectively
• Review evidence of continuous monitoring for PS-3(1)
• Verify enhancement builds upon base control PS-3

How to Test

Step 1: Review Documentation

Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for PS-3(1) 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

Verify that individuals accessing a system processing, storing, or transmitting classified information are cleared and indoctrinated to the highest classification level of the information to which they have access on the system.

Implementation Guidance

Classified information is the most sensitive information that the Federal Government processes, stores, or transmits. It is imperative that individuals have the requisite security clearances and system access authorizations prior to gaining access to such information. Access authorizations are enforced by system access controls (see AC-3 ) and flow controls (see AC-4).

Risk Assessment

CWE Categories

References

• NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 - PS-3(1)
• 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 (AC-3, AC-4) reviewed