SC-15 SC · System and Communications Protection

Collaborative Computing Devices and Applications

✓ LOW ✓ MODERATE ✓ HIGH
3 Enhancements 1 Overlay 2 Related Controls
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Requirements NIST SOURCE

Discussion (NIST Supplemental Guidance)

Collaborative computing devices and applications include remote meeting devices and applications, networked white boards, cameras, and microphones. The explicit indication of use includes signals to users when collaborative computing devices and applications are activated.

Enhancements NIST SOURCE

SC-15(1) Physical or Logical Disconnect LOW MODERATE HIGH

Provide [one of: physical; logical] disconnect of collaborative computing devices in a manner that supports ease of use.

Discussion

Failing to disconnect from collaborative computing devices can result in subsequent compromises of organizational information. Providing easy methods to disconnect from such devices after a collaborative computing session ensures that participants carry out the disconnect activity without having to go through complex and tedious procedures. Disconnect from collaborative computing devices can be manual or automatic.

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SC-15(2) Blocking Inbound and Outbound Communications Traffic WITHDRAWN

Withdrawn. Incorporated into SC-7.

SC-15(3) Disabling and Removal in Secure Work Areas LOW MODERATE HIGH

Disable or remove collaborative computing devices and applications from [systems or system components] in [secure work areas].

Discussion

Failing to disable or remove collaborative computing devices and applications from systems or system components can result in compromises of information, including eavesdropping on conversations. A Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) is an example of a secure work area.

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SC-15(4) Explicitly Indicate Current Participants LOW MODERATE HIGH

Provide an explicit indication of current participants in [online meetings and teleconferences].

Discussion

Explicitly indicating current participants prevents unauthorized individuals from participating in collaborative computing sessions without the explicit knowledge of other participants.

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Implementation Guidance

Engineering Interpretation

Original engineering commentary written for this explorer — not NIST source text and not authoritative guidance.

No engineering interpretation has been authored for SC-15 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

NIST SP 800-53A REV 5.2.0

Assessment Objectives

  1. exceptions where remote activation is to be allowed are defined;
  2. remote activation of collaborative computing devices and applications is prohibited except <SC-15_ODP exceptions where remote activation is to be allowed>;
  3. an explicit indication of use is provided to users physically present at the devices.

Examine

[SELECT FROM: System and communications protection policy; procedures addressing collaborative computing; access control policy and procedures; system design documentation; system configuration settings and associated documentation; system audit records; system security plan; other relevant documents or records].

Interview

[SELECT FROM: System/network administrators; organizational personnel with information security responsibilities; system developer; organizational personnel with responsibilities for managing collaborative computing devices].

Test

[SELECT FROM: Mechanisms supporting and/or implementing the management of remote activation of collaborative computing devices; mechanisms providing an indication of use of collaborative computing devices].

Overlays

OT/ICS Overlay SP 800-82r3

NIST SP 800-82r3 Appendix F, Table 22. Blank baseline means the control/control enhancement is not selected in that initial OT baseline.

LOW

  • Base control: Included (matches standard baseline)

MODERATE

  • Base control: Included (matches standard baseline)

HIGH

  • Base control: Included (matches standard baseline)

STIGs & CCIs

No STIG checks or CCI mappings are currently loaded for SC-15. 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

Potential Evidence — Derived

Categorized from the SP 800-53A "Examine"/"Test" artifact list above by keyword — not an authoritative NIST evidence list.

Policy

  • System and communications protection policy
  • access control policy and procedures
  • system security plan

Configuration

  • system design documentation
  • system configuration settings and associated documentation

Testing

  • Mechanisms supporting and/or implementing the management of remote activation of collaborative computing devices
  • mechanisms providing an indication of use of collaborative computing devices

Other Records

  • procedures addressing collaborative computing
  • system audit records
  • other relevant documents or records