Beyond CMMC Level 1
The free web app covers the 17 CMMC Level 1 practices. This requirement is part of the full NIST 800-171 set — get the desktop app to work on all 110 requirements with SPRS scoring. Previously saved data is shown read-only below, and your data always remains exportable in full.
Get the desktop appSecurity Requirements for 03.07.02 System Maintenance Control
This requirement addresses security-related issues with maintenance tools that are not within the organizational system boundaries that process, store, or transmit CUI, but are used specifically for diagnostic and repair actions on those systems. Organizations have flexibility in determining the controls in place for maintenance tools, but can include approving, controlling, and monitoring the use of such tools. Maintenance tools are potential vehicles for transporting malicious code, either intentionally or unintentionally, into a facility and into organizational systems. Maintenance tools can include hardware, software, and firmware items, for example, hardware and software diagnostic test equipment and hardware and software packet sniffers.
Assessment GuidanceExamine 0/7
How an assessor determines this requirement is met. Source: CMMC Assessment Guide – Level 2, Version 2.13 (NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2).
Discussion
Tools used to perform maintenance must remain secure so they do not introduce viruses or other malware into your system. Controlling your maintenance techniques prevents intentional or unintentional harm to your network and systems. Additionally, the personnel responsible for maintenance activities should be supervised considering their elevated privilege on company assets.
Examples
- Example 1
You are responsible for maintenance activities on your company’s machines. To avoid introducing additional vulnerability into the systems you are maintaining, you make sure that all maintenance tools are approved and their usage is monitored and controlled [a, b]. You ensure the tools are kept current and up-to-date [a]. You and your backup are the only people authorized to use these tools and perform system maintenance [d].
Assessment Methods
Not all of the evidence listed is required to meet this requirement — check the items your organization has collected.
- Personnel with system maintenance responsibilities
- Personnel with information security responsibilities
- Organizational processes for approving, controlling, and monitoring maintenance tools
- Mechanisms supporting or implementing approval, control, and monitoring of maintenance tools
- Organizational processes for inspecting maintenance tools
- Mechanisms supporting or implementing inspection of maintenance tools
- Organizational process for inspecting media for malicious code
- Mechanisms supporting or implementing inspection of media used for maintenance
Potential Assessment Considerations
- Are physical or logical access controls used to limit access to maintenance tools to authorized personnel [a]?
- Are physical or logical access controls used to limit access to system documentation and organizational maintenance process documentation to authorized personnel [b]?
- Are physical or logical access controls used to limit access to automated mechanisms (e.g., automated scripts, scheduled jobs) to authorized personnel [c]?
- Are physical or logical access controls used to limit access to the system entry points that enable maintenance (e.g., administrative portals, local and remote console access, and physical equipment panels) to authorized personnel [d]?