RA-5(6)_automated-trend-analyses

RA-5(6) Automated Trend Analyses

Enhancement of: RA-5

High-Level Description

Family: Risk Assessment (RA) Framework: NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5

Using automated mechanisms to analyze multiple vulnerability scans over time can help determine trends in system vulnerabilities and identify patterns of attack.

What to Check

• Verify RA-5(6) Automated Trend Analyses is documented in SSP
• Confirm control is operating effectively
• Review evidence of continuous monitoring for RA-5(6)
• Verify enhancement builds upon base control RA-5

How to Test

Step 1: Review Documentation

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

Compare the results of multiple vulnerability scans using [organization-defined].

Implementation Guidance

Using automated mechanisms to analyze multiple vulnerability scans over time can help determine trends in system vulnerabilities and identify patterns of attack.

Risk Assessment

CWE Categories

References

• NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 - RA-5(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