Requirement
Ensure that personnel are trained to carry out their assigned information security related duties and responsibilities.
Assessment Objectives
- Information security-related duties, roles, and responsibilities are defined
- Information security-related duties, roles, and responsibilities are assigned to designated personnel
- Personnel are adequately trained to carry out their assigned information security-related duties, roles, and responsibilities
Potential Assessment Methods and Objects [NIST SP 800-171A]
Examine
- Security awareness and training policy
- Procedures addressing security training implementation
- Codes of federal regulations
- Security training curriculum
- Security training materials
- System security plan
- Training records
- Other relevant documents or records
Interview
- Personnel with responsibilities for role-based security training
- Personnel with assigned system security roles and responsibilities
- Personnel with responsibilities for security awareness training
- Personnel with information security responsibilities
- Personnel representing the general system user community
Test
- Mechanisms managing role-based security training
- Mechanisms managing security awareness training
Discussion [NIST SP 800-171 REV. 2]
Organizations determine the content and frequency of security training based on the assigned duties, roles, and responsibilities of individuals and the security requirements of organizations and the systems to which personnel have authorized access. In addition, organizations provide system developers, enterprise architects, security architects, acquisition/procurement officials, software developers, systems integrators, system/network administrators, personnel conducting configuration management and auditing activities, personnel performing independent verification and validation, security assessors, and other personnel having access to system-level software, security-related technical training specifically tailored for their assigned duties. Comprehensive role-based training addresses management, operational, and technical roles and responsibilities covering physical, personnel, and technical controls. Such training can include policies, procedures, tools, and artifacts for the security roles defined. Organizations also provide the training necessary for individuals to carry out their responsibilities related to operations and supply chain security within the context of organizational information security programs. NIST SP 800-181 provides guidance on role-based information security training in the workplace. SP 800-161 provides guidance on supply chain risk management.
Further Discussion
Training imparts skills and knowledge to enable staff to perform a specific job function. Training should be available to all employees for all organizational roles to accommodate role changes without being constrained by the training schedule. Awareness training and role-based training are different. Awareness training provides general security training to influence user behavior and is covered by AT.L2-3.2.1. This requirement covers role-based training that focuses on the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to complete a specific job. Role-based training may include awareness topics specific to individual roles such as ensuring systems administrators understand the risk associated with using an administrative account.
Examples
Example 1
Your company upgraded the firewall to a newer, more advanced system to protect the CUI it stores. You have been identified as an employee who needs training on the new device [a,b,c]. This will enable you to use the firewall effectively and efficiently. Your company considered training resources when it planned for the upgrade and ensured that training funds were available as part of the upgrade project [c].
Potential Assessment Considerations
- Are the duties, roles, and responsibilities that impact, directly or indirectly, the information security of the company or its systems defined and documented [a]?
- Do information security-related tasks have accountable owners, and is a strictly limited group of individuals assigned to perform them [b]?
- Are personnel who are assigned information security-related duties, roles, and responsibilities trained on those responsibilities, including the security requirements unique or inherent to their roles or responsibilities [c]?
References
- NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2 3.2.2
