Requirement
Route remote access via managed access control points.
Assessment Objectives
- Managed access control points are identified and implemented
- Remote access is routed through managed network access control points
Potential Assessment Methods and Objects [NIST SP 800-171A]
Examine
- Access control policy
- Procedures addressing remote access to the system
- System security plan
- System design documentation
- List of all managed network access control points
- System configuration settings and associated documentation
- System audit logs and records
- Other relevant documents or records
Interview
- System or network administrators
- Personnel with information security responsibilities
Test
- Mechanisms routing all remote accesses through managed network access control points
Discussion [NIST SP 800-171 REV. 2]
Routing remote access through managed access control points enhances explicit, organizational control over such connections, reducing the susceptibility to unauthorized access to organizational systems resulting in the unauthorized disclosure of CUI.
Further Discussion
The OSA can route all remote access through a limited number of remote access control points to reduce the attack surface and simplify network management. This allows for better monitoring and control of the remote connections. This requirement, AC.L2-3.1.14, limits remote access to specific access control points and complements five other requirements dealing with remote access (AC.L2-3.1.12, AC.L2-3.1.13, AC.L2-3.1.15, IA.L2-3.5.3, and MA.L2-3.7.5).
Examples
Example 1
You manage systems for a company that processes CUI at multiple locations, and several employees at different locations need to connect to the organization's networks while working remotely. Because each company location has a direct connection to headquarters, you decide to route all remote access through the headquarters location [a]. All remote traffic is routed through a single location to simplify monitoring [b].
Potential Assessment Considerations
- How many managed access control points are implemented [a]?
- Is all remote access routed through the managed access control points [b]?
References
- NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2 3.1.14
