SC-42(5)_collection-minimization

SC-42(5) Collection Minimization

Enhancement of: SC-42

High-Level Description

Family: System and Communications Protection (SC) Framework: NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5

Although policies to control for authorized use can be applied to information once it is collected, minimizing the collection of information that is not needed mitigates privacy risk at the system entry point and mitigates the risk of policy control failures. Sensor configurations include the obscuring of human features, such as blurring or pixelating flesh tones.

What to Check

• Verify SC-42(5) Collection Minimization is documented in SSP
• Confirm control is operating effectively
• Review evidence of continuous monitoring for SC-42(5)
• Verify enhancement builds upon base control SC-42

How to Test

Step 1: Review Documentation

Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for SC-42(5) 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

Employ [organization-defined] that are configured to minimize the collection of information about individuals that is not needed.

Implementation Guidance

Although policies to control for authorized use can be applied to information once it is collected, minimizing the collection of information that is not needed mitigates privacy risk at the system entry point and mitigates the risk of policy control failures. Sensor configurations include the obscuring of human features, such as blurring or pixelating flesh tones.

Risk Assessment

CWE Categories

References

• NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 - SC-42(5)
• 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 (SA-8, SI-12) reviewed