Distributed Processing and Storage
LOW MODERATE HIGHRequirements NIST SOURCE
Distribute the following processing and storage components across multiple [one of: physical locations; logical domains]: [organization-defined processing and storage components].
Discussion (NIST Supplemental Guidance)
Distributing processing and storage across multiple physical locations or logical domains provides a degree of redundancy or overlap for organizations. The redundancy and overlap increase the work factor of adversaries to adversely impact organizational operations, assets, and individuals. The use of distributed processing and storage does not assume a single primary processing or storage location. Therefore, it allows for parallel processing and storage.
Enhancements NIST SOURCE
SC-36(1) Polling Techniques LOW MODERATE HIGH
- (a) Employ polling techniques to identify potential faults, errors, or compromises to the following processing and storage components: [distributed processing and storage components] ; and
- (b) Take the following actions in response to identified faults, errors, or compromises: [actions].
Discussion
Distributed processing and/or storage may be used to reduce opportunities for adversaries to compromise the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of organizational information and systems. However, the distribution of processing and storage components does not prevent adversaries from compromising one or more of the components. Polling compares the processing results and/or storage content from the distributed components and subsequently votes on the outcomes. Polling identifies potential faults, compromises, or errors in the distributed processing and storage components.
SC-36(2) Synchronization LOW MODERATE HIGH
Synchronize the following duplicate systems or system components: [duplicate systems or system components].
Discussion
SC-36 and CP-9(6) require the duplication of systems or system components in distributed locations. The synchronization of duplicated and redundant services and data helps to ensure that information contained in the distributed locations can be used in the mission or business functions of organizations, as needed.
Implementation Guidance
Original engineering commentary written for this explorer — not NIST source text and not authoritative guidance.
No engineering interpretation has been authored for SC-36 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
- processing components to be distributed across multiple locations/domains are defined;
- one of the following PARAMETER VALUES is selected: {physical locations; logical domains};
- storage components to be distributed across multiple locations/domains are defined;
- one of the following PARAMETER VALUES is selected: {physical locations; logical domains};
- <SC-36_ODP[01] processing components> are distributed across <SC-36_ODP[02] SELECTED PARAMETER VALUE>;
- <SC-36_ODP[03] storage components> are distributed across <SC-36_ODP[04] SELECTED PARAMETER VALUE>.
Examine
[SELECT FROM: System and communications protection policy; contingency planning policy and procedures; contingency plan; system design documentation; system configuration settings and associated documentation; system architecture; list of system physical locations (or environments) with distributed processing and storage; system facility diagrams; processing site agreements; storage site agreements; system security plan; other relevant documents or records].
Interview
[SELECT FROM: System/network administrators; organizational personnel with information security responsibilities; organizational personnel installing, configuring, and/or maintaining the system; organizational personnel with contingency planning and plan implementation responsibilities; system developers/integrators].
Test
[SELECT FROM: Organizational processes for distributed processing and storage across multiple physical locations; mechanisms supporting and/or implementing the capability to distribute processing and storage across multiple physical locations].
STIGs & CCIs
No STIG checks or CCI mappings are currently loaded for SC-36. 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
- System and communications protection policy
- contingency planning policy and procedures
- contingency plan
- system security plan
Configuration
- system design documentation
- system configuration settings and associated documentation
- system architecture
Testing
- Organizational processes for distributed processing and storage across multiple physical locations
- mechanisms supporting and/or implementing the capability to distribute processing and storage across multiple physical locations
Other Records
- list of system physical locations (or environments) with distributed processing and storage
- system facility diagrams
- processing site agreements
- storage site agreements
- other relevant documents or records