| name | AC-20(5)_portable-storage-devices-prohibited-use |
| description | Prohibit the use of organization-controlled portable storage devices by authorized individuals on external systems. |
| category | authorization |
| version | 5.2.0 |
| author | cyberstrike-official |
| tags | ["nist","sp800-53","rev5","ac-20-5","ac","enhancement"] |
| tech_stack | ["aws","azure","gcp","linux","windows"] |
| cwe_ids | ["CWE-284"] |
| chains_with | ["MP-7","PL-4","PS-6","SC-41"] |
| prerequisites | ["AC-20"] |
| severity_boost | {"MP-7":"Chain with MP-7 for comprehensive security coverage","PL-4":"Chain with PL-4 for comprehensive security coverage","PS-6":"Chain with PS-6 for comprehensive security coverage"} |
AC-20(5) Portable Storage Devices — Prohibited Use
Enhancement of: AC-20
High-Level Description
Family: Access Control (AC)
Framework: NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5
Limits on the use of organization-controlled portable storage devices in external systems include a complete prohibition of the use of such devices. Prohibiting such use is enforced using technical methods and/or nontechnical (i.e., process-based) methods.
What to Check
How to Test
Step 1: Review Documentation
Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for AC-20(5) 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 |
|---|
| cloud-audit-mcp | Check IAM policies and access controls | cloud_audit_iam_policies |
| hackbrowser-mcp | Test web application access controls | browser_auth_test |
Remediation Guide
Control Statement
Prohibit the use of organization-controlled portable storage devices by authorized individuals on external systems.
Implementation Guidance
Limits on the use of organization-controlled portable storage devices in external systems include a complete prohibition of the use of such devices. Prohibiting such use is enforced using technical methods and/or nontechnical (i.e., process-based) methods.
