DCI Directives

For Official Use Only

DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE DIRECTIVE 6/3
PROTECTING SENSITIVE COMPARTMENTED INFORMATION WITHIN INFORMATION SYSTEMS

MANUAL

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION

1.A    Purpose and Content
1.B    Applicability
1.C    Administration
1.D    Background
1.E    System Information Collection
1.F    How To Use This Manual
1.G    Use of Cryptography
1.H    General Notes

2 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

2.A    Overview

2.A.1    Separation of Roles
2.A.2    Applicability

2.B    Roles and Responsibilities

2.B.1    Special Provision for Waivers of Citizenship Requirements.
2.B.2    Principal Accrediting Authority
2.B.3    Data Owner
2.B.4    Designated Accrediting Authority
2.B.5    Designated Accrediting Authority Representative (DAA Rep)
2.B.6    Information System Security Manager (ISSM)
2.B.7    Information System Security Officer (ISSO)
2.B.8    Privileged Users
2.B.9    General Users

3 LEVELS-OF-CONCERN AND PROTECTION LEVELS

3.A    Overview

3.A.1    Conformance with technical security requirements
3.A.2    Non-Multi-User Systems

3.B    Description of Levels-of-Concern

3.B.1    Overview
3.B.2    Determining the Level-of-Concern

3.C    Protection Levels

3.C.1    Protection Level Overview
3.C.2    Determining Protection Levels

3.D    Determining Security Features and Assurances

4 CONFIDENTIALITY SYSTEM SECURITY FEATURES AND ASSURANCES

4.A    Overview

4.B    Confidentiality Requirements

4.B.1    Protection Level 1
4.B.2    Protection Level 2
4.B.3    Protection Level 3
4.B.4    Protection Level 4
4.B.5    Protection Level 5

5 INTEGRITY SYSTEM SECURITY FEATURES AND ASSURANCES

5.A    Overview

5.B    Integrity Requirements

5.B.1    Integrity - Basic
5.B.2    Integrity - Medium
5.B.3    Integrity - High

6 AVAILABILITY SYSTEM SECURITY FEATURES AND ASSURANCES

6.A    Overview

6.B    Availability Requirements

6.B.1   Availability - Basic
6.B.2    Availability - Medium
6.B.3    Availability - High

7 REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERCONNECTED ISs AND ADVANCED TECH.

7.A    Overview

7.B    Controlled Interface

7.C    Web Security

7.D    Securing Servers

7.E    Mobile Code and Executable Content

7.F    Electronic Mail (E-mail)

7.G    Collaborative Computing

7.H    Distributed Processing.

8 ADMINISTRATIVE SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

8.A    Overview

8.B    Procedural Security

8.B.1    Security Training, Education, and Awareness
8.B.2    Marking and Labeling
8.B.3    Manual Review of Human-Readable Output.
8.B.4    Media Accountability.
8.B.5    Media Clearing and Sanitization.
8.B.6    Co-Location
8.B.7    Incident Reporting and Response
8.B.8    Maintenance
8.B.9    Records Management.

8.C    Environmental Security

8.C.1    Communications Security
8.C.2    Protected Hardware, Software, and Firmware
8.C.3    EMSEC/TEMPEST
8.C.4    Technical Surveillance Countermeasures (TSCM)

8.D    Physical Security

8.E    Personnel Security

8.F    Access by Foreign Nationals to Systems Processing Intelligence Information

8.G    Handling Caveats and Handling Restrictions

9 RISK MANAGEMENT, CERTIFICATION, AND ACCREDITATION

9.A    Overview

9.B    Risk Management

9.C    Certification

9.D    Accreditation

9.D.1    Overview
9.D.2    Accreditation Authority
9.D.3    Accreditation Process.
9.D.4    Accreditation Decision.:
9.D.5    Invalidation of an Accreditation.
9.D.6    Withdrawal of Accreditation
9.D.7    Re-evaluation of an Accreditation

9.E    The Certification and Accreditation (C&A) Process

9.F    C&A Process: Exceptions

9.G    Special Categories of ISs

9.G.1    General
9.G.2    Dedicated Servers
9.G.3    Embedded and Special-Purpose ISs.
9.G.4    Tactical or Deployable Systems.
9.G.5    ISs With Group Authenticators
9.G.6    Information Systems Using Periods Processing
9.G.7    Single-User, Standalone ISs.

Appendices

A

Contents of an Interconnection Security Agreement

B

Glossary of Terms

C

Sample System Security Plan

D

Required System Security Features and Assurances

E

Bibliography

F

Acronyms
  1. INTRODUCTION
    1. Purpose and Content
      1. This manual provides uniform policy guidance and requirements for ensuring adequate protection of certain categories of intelligence information (hereinafter intelligence information) that is stored or processed on an information system (IS). For purposes of this manual, intelligence information refers to Sensitive Compartmented Information and special access programs for intelligence under the purview of the DCI. An information system is defined as any telecommunications and/or computer related equipment or interconnected system or subsystems of equipment that is used in the acquisition, storage, manipulation, management, movement, control, display, switching, interchange, transmission, or reception of voice and/or data (digital or analog); it includes software, firmware, and hardware. The Director of Central Intelligence requires all United States Government departments and agencies, their contractors, and Allied governments processing intelligence information to establish, implement, maintain, and abide by the protection measures identified in this manual.
      2. This manual includes:
        1. Requirements for an Information System Security Program;
        2. Guidance on an approach to risk management for systems;
        3. Technical and administrative security requirements for a system in a given environment; and
        4. Examples of appropriate documentation.
      3. This manual provides guidance to assist a Designated Accrediting Authority (DAA) or DAA Representative (described in Chapter 2) in determining the appropriate set of technical and non-technical safeguards for protecting the information in a given system.
      4. This manual provides guidance to assist an Information System Security Manager (ISSM) or Information System Security Officer/Network Security Officer (ISSO/NSO) in structuring and implementing the security protections for a system.
    2. Applicability
      1. This manual applies to all entities that process, store, or communicate intelligence information, including United States government organizations, their commercial contractors, and Allied governments.
      2. The term "information system," as defined in this manual, makes the distinction between traditional systems (e.g., computers, hosts) and networks irrelevant to the selection of protection requirements. Unless noted otherwise, the terms "system" and "information system" and "IS" are used interchangeably throughout this manual.
      3. Traditionally, providing security for a system has meant protecting the confidentiality of the information on it, although for some systems protecting data integrity and system and data availability has always been a concern. While the traditional operational concern over confidentiality of classified information has not diminished, integrity and availability have become critical parts of security for all systems. The requirements in this manual reflect that understanding.
      4. The operational elements of a government organization have, in the past, been concerned with and fiscally responsible for ensuring the integrity and availability of the information on the system. While this manual describes requirements for ensuring the integrity and availability of the system and of the information on it, nothing in this manual shall be construed to state or imply that there has been a transfer of fiscal responsibility to the security element(s) from the operational element(s).
      5. This manual establishes the security requirements for all applicable systems. Accrediting authorities may establish additional security measures, if deemed appropriate. Any such measures shall comply with the relevant references listed in this manual.
    3. Administration
      1. The DDCI/CM has designated the Community Management Staff (CMS) to act in matters pertaining to the administration of this manual for intelligence related issues.
      2. The DDCI/CM shall review any unresolved conflicts relating to this manual or its associated policy and will either attain agreed-to resolution of them by all affected parties or forward them with recommendations for resolution to the DCI.
      3. CMS shall maintain a current directory of DAAs and a current directory of Data Owners.
      4. This manual supersedes Director of Central Intelligence Directive (DCID) 1/16 Supplement dated July 1988.
    4. Background
      1. United States intelligence information has three attributes that require protection: confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The degree of emphasis on each varies with the type of information processed and the mission of the organization responsible for the data.
      2. This manual recognizes the contributions to security made by operating environments, and allows the technical safeguards of systems to be modified accordingly. For example, while encryption can be an effective way to protect the confidentiality of information during transmission, if the information passes only through areas that are approved for open storage of the information or across a protected distribution system within an inspectable space, then encryption of the information for that purpose may be unnecessary.
      3. The requirements specified in this manual are based on the assumption that the system is otherwise protected at an appropriate level for the information processed on it. These other protections include appropriate levels of physical, personnel, communications, emanations, and technical surveillance countermeasures (TSCM) security, as required in other directives.
    5. System Information Collection. The following information must be collected to determine the requirements for operating a system:
      1. The category, classification, and all applicable security markings for all of the information on, or to be put on, the system;
      2. The need-to-know status of the users on the system, including their formal access approval(s), clearance(s), and nationality(ies);
      3. The perimeter and boundary of the system;
      4. The operating environment of the system and connecting systems, including the service provided (e.g., electronic mail, Internet access), and foreign access to the system, connecting systems, and the facilities housing these systems; and
      5. The technical and administrative security requirements of the system.
    6. How To Use This Manual. Eleven steps are required to accredit an IS. The following summarizes those steps and in each case refers to the relevant chapter or chapters of this manual:
      1. Determine Levels-of-Concern (Ch. 3). The DAA, using formal specifications from the Data Owner, examines the information* characteristics in light of the material in Table 3.1 and determines the appropriate Level-of-Concern ratings, one each for confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The Level-of-Concern ratings for integrity and availability are each Basic, Medium, or High. Because all of the ISs covered by this manual process intelligence information, the Level-of-Concern rating for confidentiality is always High.

        2. [*In this context, information is expressed as human-recognizable data and machine-recognizable data, in hardware, software, firmware, and, especially, data that is used to control security functions, such as router table entries.]
      2. Determine Protection Level (Ch. 3). Based on the guidance provided in Chapter 3, the DAA determines a Protection Level for confidentiality for the system and also determines any threats unique to the system or the information.
      3. Determine Interconnected System Requirements (Ch. 7) and Administrative Requirements (Ch. 8). The DAA determines the appropriate security requirements for interconnected systems and for the use of advanced technology specified in Chapter 7 and the administrative requirements specified in Chapter 8.
      4. Identify Technical Security and Assurance Requirements (Ch. 4, 5, and 6). The applicable technical security requirements and assurances are identified. Chapter 4 presents the technical security requirements and assurances for confidentiality organized by Protection Levels. Chapters 5 and 6 present the technical security requirements and assurances for integrity and availability, respectively, organized by Levels-of-Concern.
      5. Determine Required Documentation and Testing Activities (Ch. 4, 5, and 6). The assurance requirements in Chapters 4, 5, and 6 are examined to determine the appropriate documentation and testing activities required for the system.
      6. Write the System Security Plan (Ch. 9 and Appendix C). The System Security Plan (SSP), described in Appendix C, is written to describe the planned operating conditions of the system and the expected residual risk of operating the system (Chapter 9). The DAA and/or ISSM approves the SSP, and the system is then implemented with the security requirements that have been determined for it (paragraphs 1.F.1 through 1.F.5). In the case of operational systems (with their security requirements already implemented), the SSP is written to describe the operating conditions of the system and the residual risk of operating the system.
      7. Validate Security in Place. The ISSO ensures that the security requirements and procedures are in place for the system.
      8. Testing against Security Requirements (Ch. 4, 5, and 6) The system is tested based on the security testing requirements in Chapters 4, 5, and 6 .
      9. Prepare Certification Package (Ch. 4, 5, 6, 9). The ISSO and ISSM prepare the certification package, based on the documentation requirements in Chapters 4, 5, and 6, and the certification package requirements specified in Chapter 9.
      10. Forward Certification Package. The certification package is presented to the DAA for accreditation.
      11. Accreditation Decision by the DAA. The DAA* determines whether the level of residual risk is acceptable and consistent with that indicated in the SSP, and if it is, accredits the system. Testing shall be performed to validate the extent of residual risk.

        12. [*When this manual refers to the DAA, the DAA Representative is assumed to be included, at the discretion of the DAA.]

        1. If the DAA accredits the system, the system goes into operation (or continues to operate) according to the accreditation.
        2. If the DAA grants an interim approval to operate, the system may be operated for up to 180 days, and the interim approval to operate can be renewed once for an additional 180 days. The DAA must indicate, in the agreement granting interim approval to operate, the actions necessary to meet accreditation. By the end of the second 180-day period, the system shall either be accredited or cease operation.
        3. If the DAA neither accredits the system, nor grants an interim approval to operate, then the requester must modify the system or its safeguards, and the process repeats from paragraph 1.F.6, above, until the DAA accredits the system, grants an interim approval to operate, or decides to disallow system operation.
    7. Use of Cryptography
      1. Cryptography is a critical tool used to protect confidentiality of data, to assure the authenticity of information, and to detect the alteration of information. National policy requires the National Security Agency (NSA) to review and approve all cryptography used to protect classified information from access by unauthorized persons (i.e., not cleared for the information).
      2. Cryptography may also be used to separate compartments or protect "need-to-know" among cleared users on classified systems. For such uses the DAA may select the cryptographic mechanisms (including commercially available products) to be used after consulting with the Data Owner on requirements. DAAs should also consult with NSA for assistance and advice regarding the security of the proposed implementation. They should pay particular attention to key management, since appropriate secure key management is an important factor in overall system security.
    8. General Notes
      1. In the following pages, the term "good engineering practice" refers to the state of the engineering art for commercial systems that have equivalent problems and solutions; a good engineering practice by definition meets commercial requirements. These practices are usually part of the normal installation and operating procedures for systems. When placing security reliance on items that implement good engineering practice (such as commercial off-the shelf [COTS] software), the DAAs or their designees shall verify that the item(s) are set up properly and are operating as expected.
      2. In this manual, the word "or" is used in its common English meaning that includes all three cases of a single element in a list, any combination of elements in a list, and all elements in the list.
      3. Conventionally, information protection has been expressed as a combination of the following characteristics: confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Other expressions include other characteristics (such as utility, user accountability, authenticity, possession, currency, and non-repudiation), but most of these other characteristics are not independent of confidentiality, integrity, and availability. In other words, these additional characteristics can be expressed as some function of confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Thus, this manual will use the conventional characteristics (confidentiality, integrity, and availability) as the appropriate descriptive elements, while recognizing that some systems have additional operational requirements for services.
      4. The Security Support Structure consists of those components (hardware, firmware, and software) that are essential to maintaining the security policies of the system. To prevent access by general users, the Security Support Structure is normally protected at a greater level than the rest of the system.
      5. While this manual primarily discusses protection mechanisms for the information on systems, it explicitly assumes that the hardware, software, and firmware related to the system are given appropriate levels of protection.
      6. The terms "department" and "agency" refer to the organization that is responsible for information systems security in a given situation. When stating requirements, the terms "department" or "agency" are not limiting, but rather are intended to include all subordinate organizations involved in a given information systems security situation.
  2. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
    1. Overview. This chapter describes eight roles pertaining to IS security and assigns responsibilities to each.
      1. Separation of Roles
        1. Some systems are extensive enough to require a different individual to fill each of the eight roles.
        2. More typically, however, the eight roles can be collapsed into four or five, depending on whether the Principal Accrediting Authority (PAA) is also the Data Owner. There is only one restriction on collapsing roles: at the operational level, implementers and examiners shall not be the same person. For example, this structure prohibits the Designated Accrediting Authority from also being the Information System Security Officer. In some agencies, the same individual (e.g., a PAA) may fill management roles at a high level, as both chief examiner and chief implementer, but no single individual can fill both operational roles.
        3. The SSP shall specify which roles may be collapsed and which must remain separate.
      2. Applicability. In the following subsections, the "system" referred to is the system or systems under the purview of the individual whose roles are being defined.
    2. Roles and Responsibilities
      1. Special Provision for Waivers of Citizenship Requirements. All concerned PAAs and Data Owners shall approve any exception to the citizenship requirements set forth below, including for systems jointly operated by the US and a foreign allied government.
      2. Principal Accrediting Authority
        1. Definition: For intelligence data, the designated PAAs, with responsibility for all intelligence systems within their respective purviews, are the DCI, EXDIR/CIA, AS/DOS (Intelligence & Research), DIRNSA, DIRDIA, ADIC/FBI (National Security Div), D/Office of Intelligence/DOE, SAS/Treasury (National Security), D/NIMA, and the D/NRO.
        2. Responsibilities of the PAA include:
          1. Establishing and maintaining the PAA’s department or agency’s Information System Security Program, including the certification and accreditation programs.
          2. Requiring the establishment and operation of similar certification and accreditation programs in those components to which the PAAs have delegated accreditation authority.
          3. Ensuring the formal written appointment of DAAs and approval or disapproval of the further delegation of the DAA's authority.
          4. Exercising top-level management oversight of the development, implementation, and evaluation of the information system security program in the PAA’s organization. In general, much of the PAA’s operational authority is delegated to DAAs.
          5. Implementing the security policy requirements set forth in this manual.
          6. Ensuring the establishment of an information security incident response and reporting capability.
          7. Ensuring accountability for the protection of the information under the PAA’s purview, including maintenance of required documents concerning the accreditation status of systems.
          8. Establishing IS security education, training, and awareness programs to ensure consistency and reciprocity.
          9. Establishing a compliance validation and oversight mechanism to ensure consistent implementation of the security policy requirements set forth in this manual.
          10. When justified, approving the operation of a system that does not meet the requirements specified in this manual. However, such approval shall be in writing, and the PAA granting such approval shall also accept, in writing, the responsibility for the resulting residual risks and shall inform the other PAAs responsible for systems interconnected to this system. The PAA may choose to delegate this authority to the DAA.
          11. Ensuring that security is incorporated as an element of the life-cycle process.
      3. Data Owner
        1. Definition: The head of the organization that has final statutory and operational authority for specified information. (In the Intelligence Community, the Data Owner is usually the agency head who establishes the controls used for the collection, processing, and dissemination of specified information.)
        2. Responsibilities of the Data Owner include:
          1. Providing instruction to the PAA/DAA concerning the sensitivity of information under the Data Owner's purview to assist in the PAA/DAA's decision regarding the Levels-of-Concern for confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
          2. Determining whether foreign nationals may access information systems accredited under this manual. Access must be consistent with DCID 1/7 and DCID 5/6.
        3. The Data Owner may revoke permission to process the information on any system if unsatisfied with the protections it provides, and will notify the PAA/DAA of any decision to revoke.
      4. Designated Accrediting Authority
        1. Definition: The official with the authority to assume formal responsibility for operating a system at an acceptable level of risk based on the implementation of an approved set of technical, managerial, and procedural safeguards.
        2. The DAA shall:
          1. Be a United States citizen;
          2. Be an employee of United States government;
          3. Have a level of authority commensurate with accepting, in writing, the risk of operating all ISs under the DAA’s jurisdiction. Though the DAA need not be technically trained to evaluate an IS, the appointing authority shall ensure that the DAA is supported by individuals knowledgeable in all areas of security such that a technically correct assessment of the security characteristics of the IS can be made.
          4. Understand the operational need for the system(s) in question and the operational consequences of not operating the system(s).
        3. The DAA grants formal accreditation to operate a system processing intelligence information. The DAA has the authority to withdraw accreditation, suspend operations, grant interim approval to operate, or grant variances when circumstances warrant. The approval shall be a written, dated statement of accreditation that clearly sets forth any conditions or restrictions to system operation. DAAs are responsible and accountable for the security of the information and systems that they accredit.
        4. The DAA has the authority to specify, notwithstanding the requirements of this manual, a greater Level-of-Concern or amount of protection for any given system in any given environment.
        5. Responsibilities of the DAA include:
          1. Ensuring that each system is properly accredited based on (a) its environment and sensitivity levels, and (b) the review and approval of security safeguards and the issuing of written accreditation statements.
          2. Providing written notification to the cognizant PAA and Data Owner prior to granting any foreign national access to the system.
          3. Ensuring documentation is maintained for all IS accreditations under the DAA’s purview.
          4. Ensuring all of the appropriate roles and responsibilities outlined in this directive are accomplished for each IS.
          5. Ensuring that operational IS security policies are promulgated for each system, project, program, and site for which the DAA has approval authority.
          6. Ensuring an IS’s security education, training, and awareness program is developed and implemented.
          7. Overseeing and periodically reviewing system security to accommodate possible changes that may have taken place.
          8. Ensuring that organizations plan, budget, allocate, and spend adequate resources in support of IS security.
          9. Determining the Levels-of-Concern for confidentiality, integrity, and availability for the data on a system, and informing the ISSM/ISSO of the determination.
          10. Ensuring that security is incorporated as an element of the life-cycle process.
          11. Ensuring that the responsibilities of the DAA Representative (see paragraph 2.B.5, below) are performed.
          12. Approving incident reporting procedures developed by the ISSM.
          13. Reporting security-related events to affected parties (i.e., interconnected systems), Data Owners, and all involved PAAs.
          14. Ensuring consideration and acknowledgment of Counter Intelligence activities during the C&A process.
        6. Should the DAA choose to accredit a system even though the system implementers are unable (within fiscal and operational constraints) to implement all the requirements as specified in this manual, the DAA shall, prior to accreditation:
          1. Identify in writing to the Data Owner(s) of all data on the system any requirements that are not being implemented and which mitigating safeguards are being applied to the system.
          2. Identify in writing to the DAAs of directly connected systems any requirements that are not being implemented and which mitigating safeguards are being employed on the system.
          3. State in writing that the DAA accepts responsibility for the risk of operating the system with lessened protection.
      5. Designated Accrediting Authority Representative (DAA Rep)
        1. Definition: The technical expert responsible to the DAA for ensuring that security is integrated into and implemented throughout the life cycle of a system. The DAA assigns responsibilities to the DAA Rep. The responsibilities listed below are those normally performed by a DAA Rep. In any given organization, there need not be a DAA Rep (i.e., the DAA or ISSM could perform these functions).
        2. The DAA Rep shall:
          1. Be a United States citizen.
          2. Have a working knowledge of system function, security policies, technical security safeguards, and operational security measures.
        3. Responsibilities of the DAA Rep (under the direction of the DAA) include:
          1. Developing and overseeing the implementation of the security policy and providing guidance for securing ISs.
          2. Ensuring that security testing and evaluation are completed and documented.
          3. Advising the DAA on the selection and effective use of specific security mechanisms.
          4. Maintaining appropriate system accreditation documentation.
          5. Evaluating threats and vulnerabilities to ascertain whether additional safeguards are needed.
          6. Ensuring that a record of all security-related vulnerabilities and incidents is maintained, and reporting serious or unresolved violations to the DAA.
          7. Ensuring that certification is accomplished for each IS.
          8. Evaluating certification documentation and providing written recommendations for accreditation to the DAA.
          9. Ensuring that all ISSMs and ISSOs receive technical and security education and training to carry out their duties.
          10. Assessing changes in the system, its environment, and operational needs that could affect the accreditation.
      6. Information System Security Manager (ISSM)
        1. Definition: The manager responsible for an organization's IS security program.
        2. The ISSM shall:
          1. Be a United States citizen.
          2. Have a working knowledge of system functions, security policies, technical security safeguards, and operational security measures.
          3. Hold US Government security clearances/access approvals commensurate with the level of information processed by the system.
          4. Access only that data, control information, software, hardware, and firmware for which they are authorized access and have a need-to-know, and assume only those roles and privileges for which they are authorized.
        3. Responsibilities of the ISSM include:
          1. Developing and maintaining a formal Information Systems Security Program.
          2. Implementing and enforcing IS security policies.
          3. Reviewing all SSPs (described in Appendix C) and endorsing those found to be acceptable.
          4. Overseeing all ISSOs to ensure that they are following established information security policies and procedures.
          5. Ensuring that all ISSOs receive the necessary technical and security training to carry out their duties.
          6. Ensuring the development of system certification documentation by reviewing and endorsing such documentation and recommending action by the DAA.
          7. Ensuring approved procedures are in place for clearing, purging, declassifying, and releasing system memory, media, and output.
          8. Maintaining, as required by the DAA, a repository for all system certification documentation and modifications.
          9. Coordinating IS security inspections, tests, and reviews.
          10. Developing procedures for responding to security incidents, and for investigating and reporting (to the DAA Representative and to local management) security violations and incidents, as appropriate.
          11. Ensuring proper protection or corrective measures have been taken when an incident or vulnerability has been discovered within a system.
          12. Ensuring that data ownership and responsibilities are established for each IS, to include accountability, access rights, and special handling requirements.
          13. Ensuring development and implementation of an information security education, training, and awareness program.
          14. Ensuring development and implementation of procedures for authorizing the use of software, hardware, and firmware on the system.
          15. If a configuration management board exists, serving as a member of the board. (However, the ISSM may elect to delegate this responsibility to the ISSO).
      7. Information System Security Officer (ISSO)
        1. Definition: The person responsible to the ISSM for ensuring that operational security is maintained for a specific IS; sometimes referred to as a Network Security Officer.
        2. The ISSO shall:
          1. Be a United States citizen.
          2. Have a working knowledge of system functions, security policies, technical security safeguards, and operational security measures.
          3. Hold US Government security clearances/access approvals commensurate with the level of information processed by the system.
          4. Access only that data, control information, software, hardware, and firmware for which they are authorized access and have a need-to-know, and assume only those roles and privileges for which they are authorized.
        3. Responsibilities of the ISSO include:
          1. Ensuring systems are operated, maintained, and disposed of in accordance with internal security policies and practices outlined in the security plan.
          2. Ensuring that all users have the requisite security clearances, authorization, and need-to-know, and are aware of their security responsibilities before granting access to the IS.
          3. Reporting all security-related incidents to the ISSM.
          4. Initiating, with the approval of the ISSM, protective or corrective measures when a security incident or vulnerability is discovered.
          5. Developing and maintaining an SSP as described in Appendix C.
          6. Conducting periodic reviews to ensure compliance with the SSP.
          7. Ensuring configuration management (CM) for security-relevant IS software, hardware, and firmware is maintained and documented. If a CM board exists, the ISSO may be a member of the CM board if so designated by the ISSM.
          8. Ensuring that system recovery processes are monitored to ensure that security features and procedures are properly restored.
          9. Ensuring all IS security-related documentation is current and accessible to properly authorized individuals.
          10. Formally notifying the ISSM and the DAA when a system no longer processes intelligence or SAP information.
          11. Formally notifying the ISSM and the DAA when changes occur that might affect accreditation.
          12. Ensuring that system security requirements are addressed during all phases of the system life cycle.
          13. Following procedures developed by the ISSM, authorizing software, hardware, and firmware use before implementation on the system.
      8. Privileged Users
        1. Definition: A user who has access to system control, monitoring, or administration functions. Example of privileged users include:
          1. Users having "superuser," "root," or equivalent access to a system (e.g., system administrators, computer operators, perhaps ISSOs); users with near or complete control of an IS or who set up and administer user accounts, authenticators, and the like.
          2. Users having access to change control parameters (routing tables, path priorities, addresses, etc.) on routers, multiplexers, and other key IS equipment.
          3. Users who have been given the authority to control and change other users’ access to data or program files (e.g., applications software administrators, administrators of specialty file systems, database managers).
          4. Users who have been given special access for troubleshooting or monitoring an IS’s security functions (e.g., those using IS analyzers, management tools).
        2. Privileged users shall:
          1. Be United States citizens.
          2. Have a working knowledge of system functions, security policies, technical security safeguards, and operational security measures.
          3. Be limited to the absolute minimum number of privileged users needed to manage the system.
          4. Where technically feasible, be limited to the minimum number of privileges needed to perform their assigned duties.
          5. Possess a clearance equal to or higher than the highest classification of data processed on or maintained by the IS.
          6. Access only that data, control information, software, hardware, and firmware for which they are authorized access and have a need-to-know, and assume only those roles and privileges for which they are authorized.
        3. Responsibilities of privileged users include:
          1. Protecting the root or superuser authenticator at the highest level of data it secures and not sharing the authenticator and/or account.
          2. Reporting all suspected security-related IS problems to the ISSO or ISSM.
          3. Using special access or privileges granted only to perform authorized tasks and functions.
          4. Enrolling authorized users in an IS.
          5. Notifying the ISSO of any system configuration changes that might adversely impact system security.
      9. General Users
        1. Definition: An individual who can receive information from, input information to, or modify information on, a system without a reliable human review.
        2. General users shall:
          1. Access only that data, control information, software, hardware, and firmware for which they are authorized access and have a need-to-know, and assume only those roles and privileges for which they are authorized.
          2. Immediately report all security incidents and potential threats and vulnerabilities involving an IS to the appropriate ISSO.
          3. Protect their authenticators and report any compromise or suspected compromise of an authenticator to the appropriate ISSO.
          4. Ensure that system media and system output are properly classified, marked, controlled, stored, transported, and destroyed.
          5. Protect terminals/workstations from unauthorized access.
          6. Inform the ISSO when access to a particular IS is no longer required (e.g., completion of project, transfer, retirement, resignation).
          7. Observe rules and regulations governing the secure operation and authorized use of an IS.
          8. Use the IS only for authorized purposes.
          9. Not introduce malicious code into any IS or physically damage the system.
          10. Not bypass, strain, or test security mechanisms. If security mechanisms must be bypassed for any reason, users shall coordinate the procedure with the ISSO and receive written permission from the ISSM for the procedure.
          11. Not introduce or use unauthorized software, firmware, or hardware on an IS.
          12. Not relocate or change IS equipment or the network connectivity of IS equipment without proper security authorization.
  3. LEVELS-OF-CONCERN AND PROTECTION LEVELS
    1. Overview. This chapter introduces and defines the concepts of Levels-of-Concern and Protection Levels, and explains how to use them to ascertain the appropriate technical security requirements for confidentiality, integrity, and availability that each IS must meet.
      1. Conformance with Technical Security Requirements. In order to be certified and accredited, each IS must conform to a set of technical security requirements for confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The specific technical security requirements and associated assurances with which an IS must comply are provided in Chapters 4 (confidentiality), 5 (integrity), and 6 (availability) of this manual. To determine which of these requirements are appropriate for a given IS, the DAA must first ascertain the appropriate Levels-of-Concern and Protection Level for the IS.
      2. Non-Multi-User Systems. The technical requirements provided in Chapters 4, 5, and 6 are intended for multi-user systems. Applying them by rote to non-multi-user systems is likely to result in unnecessary costs and detrimental operational impact. Chapter 9, paragraph 9.G, provides supplemental guidance for dealing with "special" systems that may be secured without applying all of the technical requirements of Chapters 4, 5, and 6.
    2. Description of Levels-of-Concern
      1. Overview
        1. The DAA, using guidance from the Data Owner, and after examining the information characteristics of the IS in question, must determine the appropriate Levels-of-Concern ratings for confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The Level-of-Concern rating for each of these areas can be either Basic, Medium, or High. The Level-of-Concern rating is independent for each of these three areas. Thus, for example, a system’s Level-of-Concern for confidentiality could be High, for integrity could be Basic, and for availability could be Medium. When a system has more than one kind of information on it, the Level-of-Concern assigned is the highest Level-of-Concern for any information on the system.
        2. The DAA shall determine and assign a Level-of-Concern rating for confidentiality, integrity, and availability for each IS that is to be accredited.
        3. The decision regarding the Levels-of-Concern shall be explicit for all (including interconnected) systems. The record of this decision shall be written, and the DAA shall ensure that these records are retained for the operational life of the system(s) involved. At the DAA's discretion, the decision can be made for groups of systems, but it shall be explicit.
      2. Determining the Level-of-Concern
        1. Confidentiality. Here the Level-of-Concern rating is based on the sensitivity of the information that the IS maintains, processes, and transmits. The more sensitive the information, the higher the IS’s Level-of-Concern. Systems that process intelligence information require a High Level-of-Concern. Since all systems accredited under the authority of this manual by definition process intelligence information, all systems accredited under this manual must be assigned a High Confidentiality Level-of-Concern.
        2. Integrity. Here the Level-of-Concern rating is based on the degree of resistance to unauthorized modification of the information maintained, processed, and transmitted by the IS that is necessary for accomplishing the mission of its users. The greater the needed degree of resistance to unauthorized modification, the higher is the Level-of-Concern.
        3. Availability. Here the Level-of-Concern rating is based on the degree of ready availability required for the information maintained, processed, and transmitted by the IS in order to accomplish the mission of its users. The greater the need for rapid information availability the higher the Level-of-Concern.
        4. Table 3.1 is designed to assist those involved in system development, implementation, certification, and accreditation in determining the appropriate Levels-of-Concern for confidentiality, integrity and availability for a given system processing a given set of information.
    3. Protection Levels
      1. Protection Level Overview
        1. The concept of Protection Levels applies only to confidentiality. Having verified that an IS will maintain, process, or transmit intelligence information and therefore that its Level of Concern for confidentiality must be High, the DAA must next ascertain the appropriate Protection Level for the IS based on the required clearance(s), formal access approval(s), and need-to-know of all direct and indirect users who receive information from the IS without manual intervention and reliable human review. It indicates an implicit level of trust that is placed in the system’s technical capabilities.
        2. The DAA must assign a Protection Level to each IS that is to be accredited. The decision regarding the Protection Levels shall be explicit for all (including interconnected) systems. The record of this decision shall be in writing, and the DAA shall ensure that these records are retained for the operational life of the system(s) involved. At the DAA’s discretion, the decision can be made for groups of systems, but it shall be explicit.
      2. Determining Protection Levels
        1. Table 4.1 presents the criteria for determining which of the five Protection Levels is appropriate for the IS being accredited.
          1. An IS operates at Protection Level 1 when all users have all required approvals for access to all information on the IS. This means that all users have all required clearances, formal access approvals, and the need to know for all information on the IS.
          2. An IS operates at Protection Level 2 when all users have all required formal approvals for access to all information on the IS, but at least one user lacks administrative approval for some of the information on the IS. This means that all users have all required clearances and all required formal access approvals, but at least one user lacks the need to know for some of the information on the IS.
          3. An IS operates at Protection Level 3 when at least one user lacks at least one required formal approval for access to all information on the IS. This means that all users have all required clearances, but at least one user lacks formal access approval for some of the information on the IS.
          4. An IS operates at Protection Level 4 when at least one user lacks sufficient clearance for access to some of the information on the IS, but all users have at least a Secret clearance.
          5. An IS operates at Protection Level 5 when at least one user lacks any clearance for access to some of the information on the IS.
        2. An IS operating at Protection Level 3 presents a potential risk of loss of compartmented information to users lacking the necessary formal access approvals. An IS operating at Protection Levels 4 or 5 presents a potential risk of the loss of classified information to users lacking the necessary clearance. DAAs must recognize the technical risk of operating such ISs, and shall require all reasonably available assurances of the effectiveness of the protection mechanisms for such ISs.
    4. Determining Security Features and Assurances
      1. Having determined the appropriate Levels-of-Concern and Protection Level for an IS, the DAA next needs to ascertain the specific technical security requirements and assurances for confidentiality, integrity, and availability provided in Chapters 4, 5, and 6, respectively. For example, assume that a system has a Protection Level of 2, a Medium Integrity Level-of-Concern, and a High Availability Level-of-Concern. That system would have to conform to the security features and assurance requirements of Protection Level 2 in Chapter 4, the security features and assurance requirements for a Medium Integrity Level-of-Concern provided in Chapter 5, and the security features and assurance requirements for a High Availability Level-of-Concern provided in Chapter 6.
      2. The security features and assurances for confidentiality, integrity, and availability are independent of each other. The DAA is responsible for ascertaining the appropriate security features and assurances for confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

    TABLE 3.1 Consolidated Levels-of-Concern

    Level of Concern

    Confidentiality Indicators
    (Chapter 4)

    Integrity Indicators

    (Chapter 5)

    Availability Indicators

    (Chapter 6)

    Basic

    Not applicable to this manual.

    Reasonable degree of resis-tance required against unau-thorized modification, or loss of integrity will have an adverse effect.

    Information must be available with flexible tolerance for delay,1 or loss of availability will have an adverse effect.

    Medium

    Not applicable to this manual.

    High degree of resistance required against unauthorized modification, or bodily injury might result from loss of integrity, or loss of integrity will have an adverse effect on organizational-level interests.

    Information must be readily available with minimum tolerance for delay,2 or bodily injury might result from loss of availability, or loss of availability will have an ad-verse effect on organiza-tional-level interests.

    High3

    All Information Protect-ing Intelligence Sources, Methods and Analytical Procedures.

    All Sensitive Compart-mented Information.

    Very high degree of resis-tance required against unau-thorized modification, or loss of life might result from loss of integrity, or loss of integrity will have an adverse effect on national-level interests, or loss of integrity will have an adverse effect on confiden-tiality.

    Information must always be available upon request, with no tolerance for delay, or loss of life might result from loss of availability, or loss of availability will have an adverse effect on national-level interests, or loss of availability will have an adverse effect on confiden-tiality.

    Notes

    1 In this context, "flexible tolerance for delay" means that routine system outages do not endanger mission accomplishment; however, extended system outages (days to weeks) may endanger the mission.

    2 In this context, "minimum tolerance for delay" means that routine system outages do not endanger mission accomplishment; however, extended system outages (seconds to hours) may endanger the mission.

    3 See Table 4.1 (Protection Levels) for more information regarding confidentiality requirements for High Level-of-Concern.
  4. CONFIDENTIALITY SYSTEM SECURITY FEATURES AND ASSURANCES
    1. Overview
      1. This chapter provides the detailed confidentiality* technical security features and assurances. As noted in Chapter 3, the DAA must select the appropriate technical security features and assurances for an IS based on the Protection Level of the IS.

        2. [*Integrity and availability security features and assurances are provided in Chapters 5 and 6, respectively. As noted in Chapter 3, the DAA must ascertain the technical security requirements and assurances for confidentiality, integrity, and availability prior to accrediting an IS.]
      2. The chapter separately sets forth the confidentiality requirements for systems operating at each of the five Protection Levels.
      3. The underscored terms in brackets preceding the sets of requirements (e.g., [Access1]) indicate how those requirements are identified in the tabular presentation in Appendix D.
      4. The annotations in the upper outside margin are intended to aid the readers in quickly determining which Protection Level they are examining. The notations PL1, PL2, PL3, PL4, and PL5 refer to Protection Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively.
      5. Requirements listed in boldface type are in addition to (or different from) the requirements for the previous Protection Level. Entries for Protection Level 1 are in boldface type because the lowest level is the first entry for a given requirement.
    2. Confidentiality Requirements. Each IS shall incorporate security features that will control the release of information commensurate with the sensitivity of the information being processed, as well as with the clearance, formal access approval, and need-to-know of the users* of the IS, as determined by the Protection Level assigned. For each IS, assurance commensurate with the Protection Level shall be provided. Table 4.1 identifies the factors used to select the appropriate Protection Level, and cites the paragraphs of this chapter where the relevant requirements can be located.

      3. [*As noted in the previous chapter, the Protection Level for confidentiality is based on clearance(s), formal access approval(s), and need-to-know of all users, where users refers to direct and indirect users who receive information from the IS without manual intervention and reliable human review. But, when applying the confidentiality requirements of this chapter the term user refers only to the direct users of the system.]

      TABLE 4.1 Protection Levels

      Lowest Clearance

      Formal Access Approval

      Need To Know

      Protection Level

      At Least Equal to Highest Data

      All Users Have ALL

      All Users Have ALL

      1

      (paragraph 4.B.1)

      At Least Equal to Highest Data

      All Users Have ALL

      NOT ALL Users Have ALL

      2

      (paragraph 4.B.2)

      At Least Equal to Highest Data

      NOT ALL users have ALL

      Not Contributing to Decision

      3

      (paragraph 4.B.3)

      Secret

      Not Contributing to Decision

      Not Contributing to Decision

      4

      (paragraph 4.B.4)

      Uncleared

      Not Contributing to Decision

      Not Contributing to Decision

      5

      (paragraph 4.B.5)
      1. Protection Level 1
        1. A system operating at Protection Level 1 shall employ the following features:
          1. [Access1] Access control, including:
            1. Denial of physical access by unauthorized individuals unless under constant supervision of technically qualified, authorized personnel.
            2. Procedures for controlling access by users and maintainers to IS resources, including those that are at remote locations.
          2. [I&A1] Identification and Authentication (I&A) procedures that include provisions for uniquely identifying and authenticating the users. Procedures can be external to the system (e.g., procedural or physical controls) or internal to the system (i.e., technical). Electronic means shall be employed where technically feasible.
          3. [ParamTrans] Parameter Transmission. Security parameters (e.g., labels, markings) shall be reliably associated (either explicitly or implicitly) with information exchanged between systems.
          4. [Recovery] Recovery procedures and technical system features to assure that system recovery is done in a trusted and secure manner. If any circumstances can cause an untrusted recovery, such circumstances shall be documented and appropriate mitigating procedures shall be put in place.
          5. [ScrnLck] Screen Lock. Unless there is an overriding technical or operational problem, a terminal/desktop/laptop screen-lock functionality shall be associated with each terminal/desktop/laptop computer. When activated, a screen-lock function shall place an unclassified pattern onto the entire screen of the terminal/desktop/laptop, totally hiding what was previously visible on the screen. Such a capability shall:
            1. Be enabled either by explicit user action or if the terminal/desktop/laptop is left idle for a specified period of time (e.g., 15 minutes or more).
            2. Ensure that once the terminal/desktop/laptop security/screen-lock software is activated, access to the terminal/desktop/laptop requires knowledge of a unique authenticator.
            3. Not be considered a substitute for logging out (unless a mechanism actually logs out the user when the user idle time is exceeded).
          6. [SessCtrl1] Session Controls, including:
            1. Notification to all users prior to gaining access to a system that system usage may be monitored, recorded, and subject to audit. Electronic means shall be employed where technically feasible.
            2. Notification to all users that use of the system indicates (1) the consent of the user to such monitoring and recording and (2) that unauthorized use is prohibited and subject to criminal and civil penalties. Electronic means shall be employed where technically feasible.
          7. [Storage] Data Storage, implementing at least one of the following:
            1. Information stored in an area approved for open storage* of the information.

              2. [*In the context of storage confidentiality, "approved for open storage" must include consideration of the possibility of access by all users who have direct access to the system or network, wherever physically located.]
            2. Information stored in an area approved for continuous personnel access control (when continuous personnel access control is in effect), i.e., a 24-hour, 7-day-per-week operational area.
            3. Information secured as appropriate for closed storage.
            4. Information encrypted using NSA-approved encryption mechanisms appropriate (see paragraph 1.G.1) for the classification of stored data.
          8. [Trans1] Data Transmission.
            1. Data transmission that implements at least one of the following:
              1. Information distributed only within an area approved for open storage of the information.
              2. Information distributed via a Protected Distribution System* (PDS).

                3. [*A PDS provides physical protection or intrusion detection for communications lines. A PDS can also provide need-to-know isolation for communications lines.]
              3. Information distributed using NSA-approved encryption mechanisms appropriate (see paragraph 1.G.1) for the classification of the information.
              4. Information distributed using a trusted courier.
            2. Dial-up lines, other than those that are protected with nationally certified cryptographic devices or PDSs, shall not be used for gaining access to system resources that process intelligence information unless the DAA provides specific written authorization for a system to operate in this manner.
        2. If the DAA requires technical controls, a system operating at Protection Level 1 shall employ all of the following features in addition to those mandated in paragraph 4.B.1.a:
          1. [AcctMan] Account Management procedures that include:
            1. Identifying types of accounts (individual and group, conditions for group membership, associated privileges).
            2. Establishing an account (i.e., required paperwork and processes).
            3. Activating an account.
            4. Modifying an account (e.g., disabling an account, changing privilege level, group memberships, authenticators).
            5. Terminating an account (i.e., processes and assurances).
          2. [Audit1] Auditing procedures, including:
            1. Providing the capability to ensure that all audit records include enough information to allow the ISSO to determine the date and time of action (e.g., common network time), the system locale of the action, the system entity that initiated or completed the action, the resources involved, and the action involved.
            2. Protecting the contents of audit trails against unauthorized access, modification, or deletion.
            3. Maintaining collected audit data at least 5 years and reviewing at least weekly.
            4. The system’s creating and maintaining an audit trail that includes selected records of:
              1. Successful and unsuccessful logons and logoffs.
              2. Accesses to security-relevant objects and directories, including opens, closes, modifications, and deletions.
              3. Activities at the system console (either physical or logical consoles), and other system-level accesses by privileged users.
          3. [I&A2] An Identification and Authentication (I&A) management mechanism that ensures a unique identifier for each user and that associates that identifier with all auditable actions taken by the user. The following must be specified:*

            4. [*Alternative controls, such as biometrics or smart cards, may be used at the discretion of the DAA. These alternative methods may have similar requirements. For example, the electronically stored version of biometric authentication patterns needs to be protected, as do password authenticators.]

            1. Initial authenticator content and administrative procedures for initial authenticator distribution.
            2. Individual and Group authenticators. (Group authenticators may only be used in conjunction with an individual/unique authenticator, that is, individuals must be authenticated with an individual authenticator prior to use of a group authenticator).
            3. Length, composition, and generation of authenticators.
            4. Change Processes (periodic and in case of compromise).
            5. Aging of static authenticators (i.e., not one-time passwords or biometric patterns)
            6. History of static authenticator changes, with assurance of non-replication of individual authenticators, per direction in approved SSP.
            7. Protection of authenticators to preserve confidentiality and integrity.
          4. [I&A3] Identification and Authentication (I&A). Access to the IS by privileged users who either reside outside of the IS’s perimeter or whose communications traverse data links (extranets, Internet, phone lines) that are outside of the IS’s perimeter shall require the use of strong authentication (i.e., an I&A technique that is resistant to replay attacks).
        3. Requirements for system assurance at Protection Level 1.
          1. [Doc1] Documentation shall include:
            1. A System Security Plan (see Appendix C).
            2. A Security Concept of Operations (CONOPS). (The Security CONOPS may be included in the System Security Plan). The CONOPS shall at a minimum include a description of the purpose of the system, a description of the system architecture, the system’s accreditation schedule, the system’s Protection Level, integrity Level-of-Concern, availability Level-of-Concern, and a description of the factors that determine the system’s Protection Level, integrity Level-of-Concern, and availability Level-of-Concern.
          2. [SysAssur1] System Assurance shall include:
            1. Features and procedures to validate the integrity and the expected operation of the security-relevant software, hardware, and firmware.
            2. Features or procedures for protection of the operating system from improper changes.
          3. [Test1] Assurance shall be provided by the ISSM to the DAA that the system operates in accordance with the approved SSP, and that the security features, including access controls and configuration management, are implemented and operational.
      2. Protection Level 2
        1. A system operating at Protection Level 2 shall employ the following features:
          1. [Access1] Access control, including:
            1. Denial of physical access by unauthorized individuals unless under constant supervision of technically qualified, authorized personnel.
            2. Procedures for controlling access by users and maintainers to IS resources, including those that are at remote locations.
          2. [Access2] Access Control, including a Discretionary Access Control (DAC) Policy. A system has implemented DAC when the Security Support Structure defines and controls access between named users and named objects (e.g., files and programs) in the system. The DAC policy includes administrative procedures to support the policy and its mechan