SC-7(26)_classified-national-security-system-connections

SC-7(26) Classified National Security System Connections

Enhancement of: SC-7

High-Level Description

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

A direct connection is a dedicated physical or virtual connection between two or more systems. Organizations typically do not have complete control over external networks, including the Internet. Boundary protection devices (e.g., firewalls, gateways, and routers) mediate communications and information flows between classified national security systems and external networks. In addition, approved boundary protection devices (typically managed interface or cross-domain systems) provide information flow enforcement from systems to external networks.

What to Check

• Verify SC-7(26) Classified National Security System Connections is documented in SSP
• Confirm control is operating effectively
• Review evidence of continuous monitoring for SC-7(26)
• Verify enhancement builds upon base control SC-7

How to Test

Step 1: Review Documentation

Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for SC-7(26) 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

Prohibit the direct connection of a classified national security system to an external network without the use of [organization-defined].

Implementation Guidance

A direct connection is a dedicated physical or virtual connection between two or more systems. Organizations typically do not have complete control over external networks, including the Internet. Boundary protection devices (e.g., firewalls, gateways, and routers) mediate communications and information flows between classified national security systems and external networks. In addition, approved boundary protection devices (typically managed interface or cross-domain systems) provide information flow enforcement from systems to external networks.

Risk Assessment

CWE Categories

References

• NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 - SC-7(26)
• 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