CP-9(8) Cryptographic Protection
Enhancement of: CP-9
High-Level Description
Family: Contingency Planning (CP)
Framework: NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5
The selection of cryptographic mechanisms is based on the need to protect the confidentiality and integrity of backup information. The strength of mechanisms selected is commensurate with the security category or classification of the information. Cryptographic protection applies to system backup information in storage at both primary and alternate locations. Organizations that implement cryptographic mechanisms to protect information at rest also consider cryptographic key management solutions.
What to Check
How to Test
Step 1: Review Documentation
Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for CP-9(8) 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
Implement cryptographic mechanisms to prevent unauthorized disclosure and modification of [organization-defined].
Implementation Guidance
The selection of cryptographic mechanisms is based on the need to protect the confidentiality and integrity of backup information. The strength of mechanisms selected is commensurate with the security category or classification of the information. Cryptographic protection applies to system backup information in storage at both primary and alternate locations. Organizations that implement cryptographic mechanisms to protect information at rest also consider cryptographic key management solutions.
Risk Assessment
| Finding | Severity | Impact |
|---|
| CP-9(8) Cryptographic Protection not implemented | Medium | Contingency Planning |
| CP-9(8) partially implemented | Low | Incomplete Contingency Planning |
CWE Categories
| CWE ID | Title |
|---|
| N/A | No direct CWE mapping |
References
Checklist