AU.L2-3.3.2 User Accountability

Ensure that the actions of individual system users can be uniquely traced to those users, so they can be held accountable for their actions.

Source: NIST SP 800-171 Rev 2 3.3.2

Discussion: This requirement ensures that the contents of the audit record include the information needed to link the audit event to the actions of an individual to the extent feasible. Organizations consider logging for traceability including results from monitoring of account usage, remote access, wireless connectivity, mobile device connection, communications at system boundaries, configuration settings, physical access, nonlocal maintenance, use of maintenance tools, temperature and humidity, equipment delivery and removal, system component inventory, use of mobile code, and use of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).

Assessment Objectives:

Determine if:

• [a] the content of the audit records needed to support the ability to uniquely trace users to their actions is defined; and
• [b] audit records, once created, contain the defined content.

Examine: [SELECT FROM: Audit and accountability policy; procedures addressing audit records and event types; security plan; system design documentation; system configuration settings and associated documentation; system audit logs and records; system events; system incident reports; other relevant documents or records].

Interview: [SELECT FROM: Personnel with audit and accountability responsibilities; personnel with information security responsibilities; system or network administrators].

Test: [SELECT FROM: Mechanisms implementing system audit logging].

SPRS Score: 3

POA&M Allowed: No