Supplier Assessments and Reviews
LOW ✓ MODERATE ✓ HIGHRequirements NIST SOURCE
Assess and review the supply chain-related risks associated with suppliers or contractors and the system, system component, or system service they provide [frequency].
Discussion (NIST Supplemental Guidance)
An assessment and review of supplier risk includes security and supply chain risk management processes, foreign ownership, control or influence (FOCI), and the ability of the supplier to effectively assess subordinate second-tier and third-tier suppliers and contractors. The reviews may be conducted by the organization or by an independent third party. The reviews consider documented processes, documented controls, all-source intelligence, and publicly available information related to the supplier or contractor. Organizations can use open-source information to monitor for indications of stolen information, poor development and quality control practices, information spillage, or counterfeits. In some cases, it may be appropriate or required to share assessment and review results with other organizations in accordance with any applicable rules, policies, or inter-organizational agreements or contracts.
Enhancements NIST SOURCE
SR-6(1) Testing and Analysis LOW MODERATE HIGH
Employ [one of: organizational analysis; independent third-party analysis; organizational testing; independent third-party testing] of the following supply chain elements, processes, and actors associated with the system, system component, or system service: [supply chain elements, processes, and actors].
Discussion
Relationships between entities and procedures within the supply chain, including development and delivery, are considered. Supply chain elements include organizations, entities, or tools that are used for the research and development, design, manufacturing, acquisition, delivery, integration, operations, maintenance, and disposal of systems, system components, or system services. Supply chain processes include supply chain risk management programs; SCRM strategies and implementation plans; personnel and physical security programs; hardware, software, and firmware development processes; configuration management tools, techniques, and measures to maintain provenance; shipping and handling procedures; and programs, processes, or procedures associated with the production and distribution of supply chain elements. Supply chain actors are individuals with specific roles and responsibilities in the supply chain. The evidence generated and collected during analyses and testing of supply chain elements, processes, and actors is documented and used to inform organizational risk management activities and decisions.
Implementation Guidance
Original engineering commentary written for this explorer — not NIST source text and not authoritative guidance.
No engineering interpretation has been authored for SR-6 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
- the frequency at which to assess and review the supply chain-related risks associated with suppliers or contractors and the systems, system components, or system services they provide is defined;
- the supply chain-related risks associated with suppliers or contractors and the systems, system components, or system services they provide are assessed and reviewed <SR-06_ODP frequency>.
Examine
[SELECT FROM: Supply chain risk management policy and procedures; supply chain risk management strategy; supply chain risk management plan; system and services acquisition policy; procedures addressing supply chain protection; procedures addressing the integration of information security requirements into the acquisition process; records of supplier due diligence reviews; system security plan; other relevant documents or records].
Interview
[SELECT FROM: Organizational personnel with system and services acquisition responsibilities; organizational personnel with information security responsibilities; organizational personnel with supply chain protection responsibilities].
Test
[SELECT FROM: Organizational processes for conducting supplier reviews; mechanisms supporting and/or implementing supplier reviews].
Overlays
STIGs & CCIs
No STIG checks or CCI mappings are currently loaded for SR-6. 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
- Supply chain risk management policy and procedures
- supply chain risk management strategy
- supply chain risk management plan
- system and services acquisition policy
- system security plan
Testing
- Organizational processes for conducting supplier reviews
- mechanisms supporting and/or implementing supplier reviews
Other Records
- procedures addressing supply chain protection
- procedures addressing the integration of information security requirements into the acquisition process
- records of supplier due diligence reviews
- other relevant documents or records