Audit Filtering Actions
LOW MODERATE HIGHRequirements NIST SOURCE
When transferring information between different security domains, record and audit content filtering actions and results for the information being filtered.
Discussion (NIST Supplemental Guidance)
Content filtering is the process of inspecting information as it traverses a cross-domain solution and determines if the information meets a predefined policy. Content filtering actions and the results of filtering actions are recorded for individual messages to ensure that the correct filter actions were applied. Content filter reports are used to assist in troubleshooting actions by, for example, determining why message content was modified and/or why it failed the filtering process. Audit events are defined in AU-2 . Audit records are generated in AU-12.
Implementation Guidance
Original engineering commentary written for this explorer — not NIST source text and not authoritative guidance.
No engineering interpretation has been authored for AC-4(26) yet. This section is architected to receive it — see the Requirements and Assessment sections above for the authoritative NIST source content in the meantime.
Assessment
Assessment Objectives
- when transferring information between different security domains, content-filtering actions are recorded and audited;
- when transferring information between different security domains, results for the information being filtered are recorded and audited.
Examine
[SELECT FROM: Information flow enforcement policy; procedures addressing information flow enforcement; system design documentation; system configuration settings and associated documentation; system audit records; system security plan; other relevant documents or records].
Interview
[SELECT FROM: Organizational personnel with information flow enforcement responsibilities; system/network administrators; organizational personnel with information security responsibilities].
Test
[SELECT FROM: Mechanisms implementing information flow enforcement functions; mechanisms implementing content filtering; mechanisms recording and auditing content filtering].
Overlays
STIGs & CCIs
No STIG checks or CCI mappings are currently loaded for AC-4(26). This section is architected to display, per product: STIG ID, Finding ID, Severity, Title, Description, Check, Fix, CCI, and NIST control mapping — but nothing is populated here until a real DISA STIG/CCI dataset is ingested.
Learn more about STIG/CCI integration →Evidence
Categorized from the SP 800-53A "Examine"/"Test" artifact list above by keyword — not an authoritative NIST evidence list.
Policy
- Information flow enforcement policy
- system security plan
Configuration
- system design documentation
- system configuration settings and associated documentation
Testing
- Mechanisms implementing information flow enforcement functions
- mechanisms implementing content filtering
- mechanisms recording and auditing content filtering
Other Records
- procedures addressing information flow enforcement
- system audit records
- other relevant documents or records