SA-17(2) Security-relevant Components
Enhancement of: SA-17
High-Level Description
Family: System and Services Acquisition (SA) Framework: NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5
The security-relevant hardware, software, and firmware represent the portion of the system, component, or service that is trusted to perform correctly to maintain required security properties.
What to Check
- Verify SA-17(2) Security-relevant Components is documented in SSP
- Validate all 2 control requirements are implemented
- Confirm control is operating effectively
- Review evidence of continuous monitoring for SA-17(2)
- Verify enhancement builds upon base control SA-17
How to Test
Step 1: Review Documentation
Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for SA-17(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
| Tool | Purpose | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Manual Review | Documentation and interview-based | N/A |
Remediation Guide
Control Statement
Require the developer of the system, system component, or system service to: Define security-relevant hardware, software, and firmware; and Provide a rationale that the definition for security-relevant hardware, software, and firmware is complete.
Implementation Guidance
The security-relevant hardware, software, and firmware represent the portion of the system, component, or service that is trusted to perform correctly to maintain required security properties.
Risk Assessment
| Finding | Severity | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| SA-17(2) Security-relevant Components not implemented | Medium | System and Services Acquisition |
| SA-17(2) partially implemented | Low | Incomplete System and Services Acquisition |
CWE Categories
| CWE ID | Title |
|---|---|
| CWE-16 | Configuration |
References
- NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 - SA-17(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 (AC-25, SA-5) reviewed