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SC-8(5) SC · System and Communications Protection

Protected Distribution System

LOW MODERATE HIGH
1 Overlay 0 Related Controls
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Requirements NIST SOURCE

Implement [protected distribution system] to [one of: prevent unauthorized disclosure of information; detect changes to information] during transmission.

Discussion (NIST Supplemental Guidance)

The purpose of a protected distribution system is to deter, detect, and/or make difficult physical access to the communication lines that carry national security information.

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-8(5) 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. the protected distribution system is defined;
  2. one or more of the following PARAMETER VALUES is/are selected: {prevent unauthorized disclosure of information; detect changes to information};
  3. the <SC-08(05)_ODP[01] protected distribution system> is implemented to <SC-08(05)_ODP[02] SELECTED PARAMETER VALUES> during transmission.

Examine

[SELECT FROM: System and communications protection policy; procedures addressing transmission confidentiality and integrity; 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].

Test

[SELECT FROM: Cryptographic mechanisms supporting and/or implementing concealment or randomization of communication patterns; mechanisms supporting and/or implementing protected distribution systems].

Overlays

Showing the OT/ICS overlay for the parent control SC-8 — see the SC-8(5) entries within each baseline below.

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

Not applicable at this tier.

MODERATE

  • Base control: Included (matches standard baseline)
  • Included: (1)

HIGH

  • Base control: Included (matches standard baseline)
  • Included: (1)

STIGs & CCIs

No STIG checks or CCI mappings are currently loaded for SC-8(5). 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
  • system security plan

Configuration

  • system design documentation
  • system configuration settings and associated documentation

Testing

  • Cryptographic mechanisms supporting and/or implementing concealment or randomization of communication patterns
  • mechanisms supporting and/or implementing protected distribution systems

Other Records

  • procedures addressing transmission confidentiality and integrity
  • system audit records
  • other relevant documents or records