PS-7 External Personnel Security
High-Level Description
Family: Personnel Security (PS)
Framework: NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5
External provider refers to organizations other than the organization operating or acquiring the system. External providers include service bureaus, contractors, and other organizations that provide system development, information technology services, testing or assessment services, outsourced applications, and network/security management. Organizations explicitly include personnel security requirements in acquisition-related documents. External providers may have personnel working at organizational facilities with credentials, badges, or system privileges issued by organizations. Notifications of external personnel changes ensure the appropriate termination of privileges and credentials. Organizations define the transfers and terminations deemed reportable by security-related characteristics that include functions, roles, and the nature of credentials or privileges associated with transferred or terminated individuals.
What to Check
How to Test
Step 1: Review Documentation
Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for PS-7 implementation details. Verify the organization has documented how this control is satisfied.
Step 2: Validate Implementation
# For cloud environments, use cloud-audit-mcp tools
# For on-premises, review system configurations directly
# Example: Check if account management policies exist
grep -r "account.management\|access.control" /etc/security/ 2>/dev/null
Step 3: Test Operating Effectiveness
Verify the control is actively functioning, not just documented. Check logs, configurations, and operational evidence.
Tools
| Tool | Purpose | Usage |
|---|
| Manual Review | Documentation and interview-based | N/A |
Remediation Guide
Control Statement
Establish personnel security requirements, including security roles and responsibilities for external providers;
Require external providers to comply with personnel security policies and procedures established by the organization;
Document personnel security requirements;
Require external providers to notify [organization-defined] of any personnel transfers or terminations of external personnel who possess organizational credentials and/or badges, or who have system privileges within [organization-defined] ; and
Monitor provider compliance with personnel security requirements.
Implementation Guidance
External provider refers to organizations other than the organization operating or acquiring the system. External providers include service bureaus, contractors, and other organizations that provide system development, information technology services, testing or assessment services, outsourced applications, and network/security management. Organizations explicitly include personnel security requirements in acquisition-related documents. External providers may have personnel working at organizational facilities with credentials, badges, or system privileges issued by organizations. Notifications of external personnel changes ensure the appropriate termination of privileges and credentials. Organizations define the transfers and terminations deemed reportable by security-related characteristics that include functions, roles, and the nature of credentials or privileges associated with transferred or terminated individuals.
Risk Assessment
| Finding | Severity | Impact |
|---|
| PS-7 External Personnel Security not implemented | Medium | Personnel Security |
| PS-7 partially implemented | Low | Incomplete Personnel Security |
CWE Categories
| CWE ID | Title |
|---|
| N/A | No direct CWE mapping |
References
Checklist
