CM.L2-3.4.9 User-Installed Software

Control and monitor user-installed software.

Source: NIST SP 800-171 Rev 2 3.4.9

Discussion: Users can install software in organizational systems if provided the necessary privileges. To maintain control over the software installed, organizations identify permitted and prohibited actions regarding software installation through policies. Permitted software installations include updates and security patches to existing software and applications from organization-approved “app stores.” Prohibited software installations may include software with unknown or suspect pedigrees or software that organizations consider potentially malicious. The policies organizations select governing user-installed software may be organization-developed or provided by some external entity. Policy enforcement methods include procedural methods, automated methods, or both.

Assessment Objectives:

Determine if:

Examine: [SELECT FROM: Configuration management policy; procedures addressing user installed software; configuration management plan; security plan; system design documentation; system configuration settings and associated documentation; list of rules governing user-installed software; system monitoring records; system audit logs and records; continuous monitoring strategy; other relevant documents or records].

Interview: [SELECT FROM: Personnel with responsibilities for governing user-installed software; personnel operating, using, or maintaining the system; personnel monitoring compliance with user-installed software policy; personnel with information security responsibilities; system or network administrators].

Test: [SELECT FROM: Organizational processes governing user-installed software on the system; mechanisms enforcing rules or methods for governing the installation of software by users; mechanisms monitoring policy compliance].

SPRS Score: 1

POA&M Allowed: Yes