| name | MA-5(1)_individuals-without-appropriate-access |
| description | Implement procedures for the use of maintenance personnel that lack appropriate security clearances or are not U.S. |
| category | configuration |
| version | 5.2.0 |
| author | cyberstrike-official |
| tags | ["nist","sp800-53","rev5","ma-5-1","ma","enhancement"] |
| tech_stack | ["linux","windows"] |
| cwe_ids | [] |
| chains_with | ["MP-6","PL-2"] |
| prerequisites | ["MA-5"] |
| severity_boost | {"MP-6":"Chain with MP-6 for comprehensive security coverage","PL-2":"Chain with PL-2 for comprehensive security coverage"} |
MA-5(1) Individuals Without Appropriate Access
Enhancement of: MA-5
High-Level Description
Family: Maintenance (MA)
Framework: NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5
Procedures for individuals who lack appropriate security clearances or who are not U.S. citizens are intended to deny visual and electronic access to classified or controlled unclassified information contained on organizational systems. Procedures for the use of maintenance personnel can be documented in security plans for the systems.
What to Check
How to Test
Step 1: Review Documentation
Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for MA-5(1) 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 procedures for the use of maintenance personnel that lack appropriate security clearances or are not U.S. citizens, that include the following requirements:
Maintenance personnel who do not have needed access authorizations, clearances, or formal access approvals are escorted and supervised during the performance of maintenance and diagnostic activities on the system by approved organizational personnel who are fully cleared, have appropriate access authorizations, and are technically qualified; and
Prior to initiating maintenance or diagnostic activities by personnel who do not have needed access authorizations, clearances or formal access approvals, all volatile information storage components within the system are sanitized and all nonvolatile storage media are removed or physically disconnected from the system and secured; and
Develop and implement [organization-defined] in the event a system component cannot be sanitized, removed, or disconnected from the system.
