NIST Special Publication 800-171 Revision 2
Date Published: January 28th, 2021
Withdrawn on May 14, 2024. Superseded by SP 800-171 Rev. 3
Author(s): Ron Ross (NIST), Victoria Pillitteri (NIST), Kelley Dempsey (NIST), Mark Riddle (NARA), Gary Guissanie (IDA)
Note: A Class Deviation is in effect as of May 2, 2024 (DEVIATION 2024O0013). The deviation clause requires contractors, who are subject to 252.204-7012, to comply with National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication (SP) 800-171 Revision 2, instead of the version of NIST SP 800-171 in effect at the time the solicitation is issued or as authorized by the contracting officer. Click Here
AC-3.1.12 Monitor and control remote access sessions.
Control Family: Access Control
Control Type: Derived
SPRS Value: 5
SPRS Supplemental Guidance:
Do not subtract points if remote access not permitted
CMMC Level(s):
AC.L2-3.1.12
Top Ten Failed Requirement:
No
Referenced in:
DFARS 252.204-7012
Derived From: NIST SP 800-53r4
AC-17(1)
NIST Supplemental Guidance:
NIST SP 800-46
NIST SP 800-77
NIST SP 800-113
Discussion:
Remote access is access to organizational systems by users (or processes acting on behalf of users) communicating through external networks (e.g., the Internet). Remote access methods include dial-up, broadband, and wireless. Organizations often employ encrypted virtual private networks (VPNs) to enhance confidentiality over remote connections. The use of encrypted VPNs does not make the access non-remote; however, the use of VPNs, when adequately provisioned with appropriate control (e.g., employing encryption techniques for confidentiality protection), may provide sufficient assurance to the organization that it can effectively treat such connections as internal networks. VPNs with encrypted tunnels can affect the capability to adequately monitor network communications traffic for malicious code. Automated monitoring and control of remote access sessions allows organizations to detect cyberattacks and help to ensure ongoing compliance with remote access policies by auditing connection activities of remote users on a variety of system components (e.g., servers, workstations, notebook computers, smart phones, and tablets). [SP 800-46], [SP 800-77], and [SP 800-113] provide guidance on secure remote access and virtual private networks.
Determining Statements (NIST SP 800-171Ar2)
Upon assessment, assessors must determine if-
3.1.12[a] remote access sessions are permitted.
3.1.12[b] the types of permitted remote access are identified.
3.1.12[c] remote access sessions are controlled.
3.1.12[d] remote access sessions are monitored.
Assessors are instructed to-
Examine: [SELECT FROM: Access control policy; procedures addressing remote access implementation and usage (including restrictions); configuration management plan; system security plan; system design documentation; system configuration settings and associated documentation; remote access authorizations; system audit logs and records; other relevant documents or records].
Interview: [SELECT FROM: Personnel with responsibilities for managing remote access connections; system or network administrators; personnel with information security responsibilities].
Test: [SELECT FROM: Remote access management capability for the system].
Potential Solutions Based on Staffing
1-10 FTE |
10-49 FTE |
50-249 FTE |
250-999 FTE |
1000+ FTE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WatchGuard Firebox UTM | WatchGuard Firebox UTM | WatchGuard Firebox UTM | Multiple Options | Multiple Options |
| Netwrix Auditor | Netwrix Auditor | Netwrix Auditor | Netwrix Auditor | Netwrix Auditor |
| Microsoft Intune | Microsoft Intune | Microsoft Intune | Microsoft Intune | Microsoft Intune |
| DISA STIGs | DISA STIGs | Tripwire Enterprise | Tripwire Enterprise | Tripwire Enterprise |
| CIS Benchmarks | CIS Benchmarks | DISA STIGs | DISA STIGs | DISA STIGs |
| CIS SecureSuite | CIS SecureSuite | CIS Benchmarks | CIS Benchmarks | CIS Benchmarks |
| CIS SecureSuite | CIS SecureSuite | CIS SecureSuite |