CA.L2-3.12.2 Plan of Action

Develop and implement plans of action designed to correct deficiencies and reduce or eliminate vulnerabilities in organizational systems.

Source: NIST SP 800-171 Rev 2 3.12.2

Discussion: The plan of action is a key document in the information security program. Organizations develop plans of action that describe how any unimplemented security requirements will be met and how any planned mitigations will be implemented. Organizations can document the system security plan and plan of action as separate or combined documents and in any chosen format. Federal agencies may consider the submitted system security plans and plans of action as critical inputs to an overall risk management decision to process, store, or transmit CUI on a system hosted by a nonfederal organization and whether it is advisable to pursue an agreement or contract with the nonfederal organization. [NIST CUI] provides supplemental material for Special Publication 800-171 including templates for plans of action.

Assessment Objectives:

Determine if:

• [a] deficiencies and vulnerabilities to be addressed by the plan of action are identified;
• [b] a plan of action is developed to correct identified deficiencies and reduce or eliminate identified vulnerabilities; and
• [c] the plan of action is implemented to correct identified deficiencies and reduce or eliminate identified vulnerabilities.

Examine: [SELECT FROM: Security assessment and authorization policy; procedures addressing plan of action; security plan; security assessment plan; security assessment report; security assessment evidence; plan of action; other relevant documents or records].

Interview: [SELECT FROM: Personnel with plan of action development and implementation responsibilities; personnel with information security responsibilities].

Test: [SELECT FROM: Mechanisms for developing, implementing, and maintaining plan of action].

SPRS Score: 3

POA&M Allowed: No