SC-45(1)_synchronization-with-authoritative-time-source

SC-45(1) Synchronization with Authoritative Time Source

Enhancement of: SC-45

High-Level Description

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

Synchronization of internal system clocks with an authoritative source provides uniformity of time stamps for systems with multiple system clocks and systems connected over a network.

What to Check

• Verify SC-45(1) Synchronization with Authoritative Time Source is documented in SSP
• Validate all 2 control requirements are implemented
• Confirm control is operating effectively
• Review evidence of continuous monitoring for SC-45(1)
• Verify enhancement builds upon base control SC-45

How to Test

Step 1: Review Documentation

Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for SC-45(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

Compare the internal system clocks [organization-defined] with [organization-defined] ; and Synchronize the internal system clocks to the authoritative time source when the time difference is greater than [organization-defined].

Implementation Guidance

Synchronization of internal system clocks with an authoritative source provides uniformity of time stamps for systems with multiple system clocks and systems connected over a network.

Risk Assessment

CWE Categories

References

• NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 - SC-45(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 (none) reviewed