mp-6-7-dual-authorization

name	MP-6(7)_dual-authorization
description	Enforce dual authorization for the sanitization of [organization-defined].
category	configuration
version	5.2.0
author	cyberstrike-official
tags	["nist","sp800-53","rev5","mp-6-7","mp","enhancement"]
tech_stack	["linux","windows"]
cwe_ids	[]
chains_with	["AC-3","MP-2"]
prerequisites	["MP-6"]
severity_boost	{"AC-3":"Chain with AC-3 for comprehensive security coverage","MP-2":"Chain with MP-2 for comprehensive security coverage"}

MP-6(7) Dual Authorization

Enhancement of: MP-6

High-Level Description

Family: Media Protection (MP) Framework: NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5

Organizations employ dual authorization to help ensure that system media sanitization cannot occur unless two technically qualified individuals conduct the designated task. Individuals who sanitize system media possess sufficient skills and expertise to determine if the proposed sanitization reflects applicable federal and organizational standards, policies, and procedures. Dual authorization also helps to ensure that sanitization occurs as intended, protecting against errors and false claims of having performed the sanitization actions. Dual authorization may also be known as two-person control. To reduce the risk of collusion, organizations consider rotating dual authorization duties to other individuals.

What to Check

• Verify MP-6(7) Dual Authorization is documented in SSP
• Confirm control is operating effectively
• Review evidence of continuous monitoring for MP-6(7)
• Verify enhancement builds upon base control MP-6

How to Test

Step 1: Review Documentation

Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for MP-6(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

Enforce dual authorization for the sanitization of [organization-defined].

Implementation Guidance

Organizations employ dual authorization to help ensure that system media sanitization cannot occur unless two technically qualified individuals conduct the designated task. Individuals who sanitize system media possess sufficient skills and expertise to determine if the proposed sanitization reflects applicable federal and organizational standards, policies, and procedures. Dual authorization also helps to ensure that sanitization occurs as intended, protecting against errors and false claims of having performed the sanitization actions. Dual authorization may also be known as two-person control. To reduce the risk of collusion, organizations consider rotating dual authorization duties to other individuals.