Requirement
Protect the confidentiality of backup “Controlled Unclassified Information” (CUI) at storage locations.
Assessment Objectives
- The confidentiality of backup CUI is protected at storage locations
Potential Assessment Methods and Objects [NIST SP 800-171A]
Examine
- Procedures addressing system backup
- System configuration settings and associated documentation
- Security plan
- Backup storage locations
- System backup logs or records
- Other relevant documents or records
Interview
- Personnel with system backup responsibilities
- Personnel with information security responsibilities
Test
- Organizational processes for conducting system backups
- Mechanisms supporting or implementing system backups
Discussion [NIST SP 800-171 REV. 2]
Organizations can employ cryptographic mechanisms or alternative physical controls to protect the confidentiality of backup information at designated storage locations. Backed-up information containing CUI may include system-level information and user-level information. System-level information includes system-state information, operating system software, application software, and licenses. User-level information includes information other than system-level information.
Further Discussion
You protect CUI to ensure that it remains private (confidentiality) and unchanged (integrity). Methods to ensure confidentiality may include: encrypting files or media; managing who has access to the information; and physically securing devices and media that contain CUI. Storage locations for information are varied, and may include: external hard drives; USB drives; magnetic media (tape cartridge); optical disk (CD, DVD); Networked Attached Storage (NAS); servers; and cloud backup. This requirement, MP.L2-3.8.9, requires the confidentiality of backup information at storage locations.
Examples
Example 1
You are in charge of protecting CUI for your company. Because the company's backups contain CUI, you work with IT to protect the confidentiality of backup data. You agree to encrypt all CUI data as it is saved to an external hard drive [a].
Potential Assessment Considerations
- Are data backups encrypted on media before removal from a secured facility [a]?
- Are cryptographic mechanisms FIPS validated [a]?
References
- NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2 3.8.9
