BRACKETOLOGY | FEDRAMP

AC-19: ACCESS CONTROL FOR MOBILE DEVICES

  • FedRAMP Baseline Membership AC-19:
  • LOW
  • MODERATE
  • HIGH
FedRAMP Bracketology

Use the FedRAMP Control Membership information above to determine if a control or control enhancement is required for each Impact Baseline — LOW, MODERATE, or HIGH

Click on the panel below each control or control enhancement to review the FedRAMP Impact Baseline-specific control configuration requirements for each of the [BRACKETS] in each control and/or control enhancement.

Review and use Additional Requirements and Guidance to build FedRAMP-compliant controls for your risk-based cybersecurity program.

To change the baseline view in the panel, click on LOW, MODERATE, or HIGH when the panel is open

Panels only appear where there are [BRACKETS] in the control or enhancement or where there is FedRAMP-specific requirements or guidance available.

The organization:

    • a. Establishes usage restrictions, configuration requirements, connection requirements, and implementation guidance for organization-controlled mobile devices; and
    • b. Authorizes the connection of mobile devices to organizational information systems.

SUPPLEMENTAL GUIDANCE

A mobile device is a computing device that: (i) has a small form factor such that it can easily be carried by a single individual; (ii) is designed to operate without a physical connection (e.g., wirelessly transmit or receive information); (iii) possesses local, non-removable or removable data storage; and (iv) includes a self-contained power source. Mobile devices may also include voice communication capabilities, on-board sensors that allow the device to capture information, and/or built-in features for synchronizing local data with remote locations. Examples include smart phones, E-readers, and tablets. Mobile devices are typically associated with a single individual and the device is usually in close proximity to the individual; however, the degree of proximity can vary depending upon on the form factor and size of the device. The processing, storage, and transmission capability of the mobile device may be comparable to or merely a subset of desktop systems, depending upon the nature and intended purpose of the device. Due to the large variety of mobile devices with different technical characteristics and capabilities, organizational restrictions may vary for the different classes/types of such devices. Usage restrictions and specific implementation guidance for mobile devices include, for example, configuration management, device identification and authentication, implementation of mandatory protective software (e.g., malicious code detection, firewall), scanning devices for malicious code, updating virus protection software, scanning for critical software updates and patches, conducting primary operating system (and possibly other resident software) integrity checks, and disabling unnecessary hardware (e.g., wireless, infrared). Organizations are cautioned that the need to provide adequate security for mobile devices goes beyond the requirements in this control. Many safeguards and countermeasures for mobile devices are reflected in other security controls in the catalog allocated in the initial control baselines as starting points for the development of security plans and overlays using the tailoring process. There may also be some degree of overlap in the requirements articulated by the security controls within the different families of controls. AC-20 addresses mobile devices that are not organization-controlled.

CONTROL ENHANCEMENTS

AC-19 (1) ACCESS CONTROL FOR MOBILE DEVICES | USE OF WRITABLE / PORTABLE STORAGE DEVICES

[Withdrawn: Incorporated into MP-7].

AC-19 (2) ACCESS CONTROL FOR MOBILE DEVICES | USE OF PERSONALLY OWNED PORTABLE STORAGE DEVICES

[Withdrawn: Incorporated into MP-7].

AC-19 (3) ACCESS CONTROL FOR MOBILE DEVICES | USE OF PORTABLE STORAGE DEVICES WITH NO IDENTIFIABLE OWNER

[Withdrawn: Incorporated into MP-7].

AC-19 (4) ACCESS CONTROL FOR MOBILE DEVICES | RESTRICTIONS FOR CLASSIFIED INFORMATION

The organization:

    • (a) Prohibits the use of unclassified mobile devices in facilities containing information systems processing, storing, or transmitting classified information unless specifically permitted by the authorizing official; and
    • (b) Enforces the following restrictions on individuals permitted by the authorizing official to use unclassified mobile devices in facilities containing information systems processing, storing, or transmitting classified information:
      1. Connection of unclassified mobile devices to classified information systems is prohibited;
      2. Connection of unclassified mobile devices to unclassified information systems requires approval from the authorizing official;
      3. Use of internal or external modems or wireless interfaces within the unclassified mobile devices is prohibited; and
      4. Unclassified mobile devices and the information stored on those devices are subject to random reviews and inspections by [Assignment: organization-defined security officials], and if classified information is found, the incident handling policy is followed.
    • ( c) Restricts the connection of classified mobile devices to classified information systems in accordance with [Assignment: organization-defined security policies].

Supplemental Guidance: NONE

RELATED CONTROLS: AC-19 (4)

AC-19 (5) ACCESS CONTROL FOR MOBILE DEVICES | FULL DEVICE / CONTAINER-BASED ENCRYPTION
  • FedRAMP Baseline Membership AC-19 (5):
  • MODERATE
  • HIGH

The organization employs [Selection: full-device encryption; container encryption] to protect the confidentiality and integrity of information on [Assignment: organization-defined mobile devices].

Click Low | Moderate | High below to see FedRAMP control configuration information. It's in BOLD.

There are no FedRAMP-specific requirements if this control is used for a Low Impact system.

There are no FedRAMP-specific requirements if this control is used for a Moderate Impact system.

There are no FedRAMP-specific requirements if this control is used for a High Impact system.


Supplemental Guidance:

Container-based encryption provides a more fine-grained approach to the encryption of data/information on mobile devices, including for example, encrypting selected data structures such as files, records, or fields.

RELATED CONTROLS: AC-19 (5)

REFERENCES:

  • NIST Special Publication 800-114
  • NIST Special Publication 800-124
  • NIST Special Publication 800-164
  • OMB Memorandum 06-16