cyberstrikeus SA-15(13) Logging Syntax
Enhancement of: SA-15
High-Level Description
Family: System and Services Acquisition (SA) Framework: NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5
In support of better incident response and the ability to more quickly reconstruct security-related actions, identifying specific requirements for secure logging facilitates the ability to connect application-produced audit event logs with operational data. Event types are consistent with the event types defined in AU-02.
What to Check
- Verify SA-15(13) Logging Syntax is documented in SSP
- Confirm control is operating effectively
- Review evidence of continuous monitoring for SA-15(13)
- Verify enhancement builds upon base control SA-15
How to Test
Step 1: Review Documentation
Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for SA-15(13) 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
| Tool | Purpose | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Manual Review | Documentation and interview-based | N/A |
Remediation Guide
Control Statement
Require the developer of the system or system component to minimize the use of personally identifiable information in development and test environments.
Implementation Guidance
In support of better incident response and the ability to more quickly reconstruct security-related actions, identifying specific requirements for secure logging facilitates the ability to connect application-produced audit event logs with operational data. Event types are consistent with the event types defined in AU-02.
Risk Assessment
| Finding | Severity | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| SA-15(13) Logging Syntax not implemented | Medium | System and Services Acquisition |
| SA-15(13) partially implemented | Low | Incomplete System and Services Acquisition |
CWE Categories
| CWE ID | Title |
|---|---|
| CWE-16 | Configuration |
References
- NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 - SA-15(13)
- 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 (AU-2, AU-3, IR-4, IR-8, SA-5) reviewed