| name | MA-7_field-maintenance |
| description | Restrict or prohibit field maintenance on [organization-defined] to [organization-defined]. |
| category | configuration |
| version | 5.2.0 |
| author | cyberstrike-official |
| tags | ["nist","sp800-53","rev5","ma-7","ma"] |
| tech_stack | ["linux","windows"] |
| cwe_ids | [] |
| chains_with | ["MA-2","MA-4","MA-5"] |
| prerequisites | [] |
| severity_boost | {"MA-2":"Chain with MA-2 for comprehensive security coverage","MA-4":"Chain with MA-4 for comprehensive security coverage","MA-5":"Chain with MA-5 for comprehensive security coverage"} |
MA-7 Field Maintenance
High-Level Description
Family: Maintenance (MA)
Framework: NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5
Field maintenance is the type of maintenance conducted on a system or system component after the system or component has been deployed to a specific site (i.e., operational environment). In certain instances, field maintenance (i.e., local maintenance at the site) may not be executed with the same degree of rigor or with the same quality control checks as depot maintenance. For critical systems designated as such by the organization, it may be necessary to restrict or prohibit field maintenance at the local site and require that such maintenance be conducted in trusted facilities with additional controls.
What to Check
How to Test
Step 1: Review Documentation
Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for MA-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
Restrict or prohibit field maintenance on [organization-defined] to [organization-defined].
Implementation Guidance
Field maintenance is the type of maintenance conducted on a system or system component after the system or component has been deployed to a specific site (i.e., operational environment). In certain instances, field maintenance (i.e., local maintenance at the site) may not be executed with the same degree of rigor or with the same quality control checks as depot maintenance. For critical systems designated as such by the organization, it may be necessary to restrict or prohibit field maintenance at the local site and require that such maintenance be conducted in trusted facilities with additional controls.
