3.14.3
SI.L2-3.14.3 · Level 2
Monitor system security alerts and advisories and take action in response.
NIST SP 800-171 Rev 2 · §3.14.3
Monitor system security alerts and advisories and take action in response.
Assessment objectives
From NIST SP 800-171A · 3 objectives must be met to satisfy this control
Examine
[SELECT FROM: System and information integrity policy; procedures addressing security alerts, advisories, and directives; security plan; records of security alerts and advisories; other relevant documents or records].
Interview
[SELECT FROM: Personnel with security alert and advisory responsibilities; personnel implementing, operating, maintaining, and using the system; personnel, organizational elements, and external organizations to whom alerts, advisories, and directives are to be disseminated; system or network administrators; personnel with information security responsibilities].
Test
[SELECT FROM: Organizational processes for defining, receiving, generating, disseminating, and complying with security alerts, advisories, and directives; mechanisms supporting or implementing definition, receipt, generation, and dissemination of security alerts, advisories, and directives; mechanisms supporting or implementing security directives].
Examine
[SELECT FROM: System and information integrity policy; procedures addressing security alerts, advisories, and directives; security plan; records of security alerts and advisories; other relevant documents or records].
Interview
[SELECT FROM: Personnel with security alert and advisory responsibilities; personnel implementing, operating, maintaining, and using the system; personnel, organizational elements, and external organizations to whom alerts, advisories, and directives are to be disseminated; system or network administrators; personnel with information security responsibilities].
Test
[SELECT FROM: Organizational processes for defining, receiving, generating, disseminating, and complying with security alerts, advisories, and directives; mechanisms supporting or implementing definition, receipt, generation, and dissemination of security alerts, advisories, and directives; mechanisms supporting or implementing security directives].
Examine
[SELECT FROM: System and information integrity policy; procedures addressing security alerts, advisories, and directives; security plan; records of security alerts and advisories; other relevant documents or records].
Interview
[SELECT FROM: Personnel with security alert and advisory responsibilities; personnel implementing, operating, maintaining, and using the system; personnel, organizational elements, and external organizations to whom alerts, advisories, and directives are to be disseminated; system or network administrators; personnel with information security responsibilities].
Test
[SELECT FROM: Organizational processes for defining, receiving, generating, disseminating, and complying with security alerts, advisories, and directives; mechanisms supporting or implementing definition, receipt, generation, and dissemination of security alerts, advisories, and directives; mechanisms supporting or implementing security directives].
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.