3.14.1
SI.L1-3.14.1 · Level 1 + 2
Identify, report, and correct system flaws in a timely manner.
NIST SP 800-171 Rev 2 · §3.14.1
Identify, report, and correct system flaws in a timely manner.
Assessment objectives
3.14.1[a]
the time within which to identify system flaws is specified.
Examine
[SELECT FROM: System and information integrity policy; procedures addressing flaw remediation; procedures addressing configuration management; security plan; list of flaws and vulnerabilities potentially affecting the system; list of recent security flaw remediation actions performed on the system (e.g., list of installed patches, service packs, hot fixes, and other software updates to correct system flaws); test results from the installation of software and firmware updates to correct system flaws; installation/change control records for security-relevant software and firmware updates; other relevant documents or records].
Interview
[SELECT FROM: System or network administrators; personnel with information security responsibilities; personnel installing, configuring, and maintaining the system; personnel with responsibility for flaw remediation; personnel with configuration management responsibility].
Test
[SELECT FROM: Organizational processes for identifying, reporting, and correcting system flaws; organizational process for installing software and firmware updates; mechanisms supporting or implementing reporting, and correcting system flaws; mechanisms supporting or implementing testing software and firmware updates].
3.14.1[b]
system flaws are identified within the specified time frame.
Examine
[SELECT FROM: System and information integrity policy; procedures addressing flaw remediation; procedures addressing configuration management; security plan; list of flaws and vulnerabilities potentially affecting the system; list of recent security flaw remediation actions performed on the system (e.g., list of installed patches, service packs, hot fixes, and other software updates to correct system flaws); test results from the installation of software and firmware updates to correct system flaws; installation/change control records for security-relevant software and firmware updates; other relevant documents or records].
Interview
[SELECT FROM: System or network administrators; personnel with information security responsibilities; personnel installing, configuring, and maintaining the system; personnel with responsibility for flaw remediation; personnel with configuration management responsibility].
Test
[SELECT FROM: Organizational processes for identifying, reporting, and correcting system flaws; organizational process for installing software and firmware updates; mechanisms supporting or implementing reporting, and correcting system flaws; mechanisms supporting or implementing testing software and firmware updates].
3.14.1[c]
the time within which to report system flaws is specified.
Examine
[SELECT FROM: System and information integrity policy; procedures addressing flaw remediation; procedures addressing configuration management; security plan; list of flaws and vulnerabilities potentially affecting the system; list of recent security flaw remediation actions performed on the system (e.g., list of installed patches, service packs, hot fixes, and other software updates to correct system flaws); test results from the installation of software and firmware updates to correct system flaws; installation/change control records for security-relevant software and firmware updates; other relevant documents or records].
Interview
[SELECT FROM: System or network administrators; personnel with information security responsibilities; personnel installing, configuring, and maintaining the system; personnel with responsibility for flaw remediation; personnel with configuration management responsibility].
Test
[SELECT FROM: Organizational processes for identifying, reporting, and correcting system flaws; organizational process for installing software and firmware updates; mechanisms supporting or implementing reporting, and correcting system flaws; mechanisms supporting or implementing testing software and firmware updates].
3.14.1[d]
system flaws are reported within the specified time frame.
Examine
[SELECT FROM: System and information integrity policy; procedures addressing flaw remediation; procedures addressing configuration management; security plan; list of flaws and vulnerabilities potentially affecting the system; list of recent security flaw remediation actions performed on the system (e.g., list of installed patches, service packs, hot fixes, and other software updates to correct system flaws); test results from the installation of software and firmware updates to correct system flaws; installation/change control records for security-relevant software and firmware updates; other relevant documents or records].
Interview
[SELECT FROM: System or network administrators; personnel with information security responsibilities; personnel installing, configuring, and maintaining the system; personnel with responsibility for flaw remediation; personnel with configuration management responsibility].
Test
[SELECT FROM: Organizational processes for identifying, reporting, and correcting system flaws; organizational process for installing software and firmware updates; mechanisms supporting or implementing reporting, and correcting system flaws; mechanisms supporting or implementing testing software and firmware updates].
3.14.1[e]
the time within which to correct system flaws is specified.
Examine
[SELECT FROM: System and information integrity policy; procedures addressing flaw remediation; procedures addressing configuration management; security plan; list of flaws and vulnerabilities potentially affecting the system; list of recent security flaw remediation actions performed on the system (e.g., list of installed patches, service packs, hot fixes, and other software updates to correct system flaws); test results from the installation of software and firmware updates to correct system flaws; installation/change control records for security-relevant software and firmware updates; other relevant documents or records].
Interview
[SELECT FROM: System or network administrators; personnel with information security responsibilities; personnel installing, configuring, and maintaining the system; personnel with responsibility for flaw remediation; personnel with configuration management responsibility].
Test
[SELECT FROM: Organizational processes for identifying, reporting, and correcting system flaws; organizational process for installing software and firmware updates; mechanisms supporting or implementing reporting, and correcting system flaws; mechanisms supporting or implementing testing software and firmware updates].
3.14.1[f]
system flaws are corrected within the specified time frame.
Examine
[SELECT FROM: System and information integrity policy; procedures addressing flaw remediation; procedures addressing configuration management; security plan; list of flaws and vulnerabilities potentially affecting the system; list of recent security flaw remediation actions performed on the system (e.g., list of installed patches, service packs, hot fixes, and other software updates to correct system flaws); test results from the installation of software and firmware updates to correct system flaws; installation/change control records for security-relevant software and firmware updates; other relevant documents or records].
Interview
[SELECT FROM: System or network administrators; personnel with information security responsibilities; personnel installing, configuring, and maintaining the system; personnel with responsibility for flaw remediation; personnel with configuration management responsibility].
Test
[SELECT FROM: Organizational processes for identifying, reporting, and correcting system flaws; organizational process for installing software and firmware updates; mechanisms supporting or implementing reporting, and correcting system flaws; mechanisms supporting or implementing testing software and firmware updates].
What we look for in practice
The following are placeholder notes that should be refined based on practice experience.
What assessors look for in practice. Documented evidence that this control is implemented across all CUI-handling systems within scope. Specific artifacts vary, but expect requests for written procedures, system configurations, and operational records demonstrating the control is active.
Common failure patterns. Typical issues include incomplete documentation, inconsistent implementation across systems, and missing periodic review records. Refine this section as your practice accumulates direct assessment experience.
Strong evidence looks like. Formal policy referencing this control, technical configurations demonstrating enforcement, periodic review logs with sign-off, and procedures for handling exceptions.
Scoring and POA&M context. 5-point control under the DoD Assessment Methodology. Highest scoring impact — treat as a foundational requirement. Not POA&M-eligible — must be implemented at assessment time.