SA-3(1)_manage-preproduction-environment

SA-3(1) Manage Preproduction Environment

Enhancement of: SA-3

High-Level Description

Family: System and Services Acquisition (SA) Framework: NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5

The preproduction environment includes development, test, and integration environments. The program protection planning processes established by the Department of Defense are examples of managing the preproduction environment for defense contractors. Criticality analysis and the application of controls on developers also contribute to a more secure system development environment.

What to Check

• Verify SA-3(1) Manage Preproduction Environment is documented in SSP
• Confirm control is operating effectively
• Review evidence of continuous monitoring for SA-3(1)
• Verify enhancement builds upon base control SA-3

How to Test

Step 1: Review Documentation

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

Protect system preproduction environments commensurate with risk throughout the system development life cycle for the system, system component, or system service.

Implementation Guidance

The preproduction environment includes development, test, and integration environments. The program protection planning processes established by the Department of Defense are examples of managing the preproduction environment for defense contractors. Criticality analysis and the application of controls on developers also contribute to a more secure system development environment.

Risk Assessment

CWE Categories

References

• NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 - SA-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 (CM-2, CM-4, RA-3, RA-9, SA-4) reviewed