CMMC Practice SI.L2-3.14.6 – Monitor Communications for Attacks: Monitor organizational systems, including inbound and outbound communications traffic, to detect attacks and indicators of potential attacks.
Links to Publicly Available Resources
This article describes the maintenance of cloud security through monitoring inbound and outbound connections This document provides assessment guidance for conducting Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) assessments for Level 2. This article describes five traits and best practices of organizations that have pulled off successful network monitoring strategies. This blog post describes the ways network monitoring can enhance information security. This article discusses how to utilize log services to detect attacks and indicators of attacks. This blog post describes the details of several network traffic monitoring tools.
Discussion [NIST SP 800-171 R2]
System monitoring includes external and internal monitoring. External monitoring includes the observation of events occurring at the system boundary (i.e., part of perimeter defense and boundary protection). Internal monitoring includes the observation of events occurringwithin the system. Organizations can monitor systems, for example, by observing audit record activities in real time or by observing other system aspects such as access patterns, characteristics of access, and other actions. The monitoring objectives may guide determination of the events. System monitoring capability is achieved through a variety of tools and techniques (e.g., intrusion detection systems, intrusion prevention systems, malicious code protection software, scanning tools, audit record monitoring software, network monitoring software). Strategic locations for monitoring devices include selected perimeter locations and near server farms supporting critical applications, with such devices being employed at managed system interfaces. The granularity of monitoring information collected is based on organizational monitoring objectives and the capability of systems to support such objectives.
System monitoring is an integral part of continuous monitoring and incident response programs. Output from system monitoring serves as input to continuous monitoring and incident response programs. A network connection is any connection with a device that communicates through a network (e.g., local area network, Internet). A remote connection is any connection with a device communicating through an external network (e.g., the Internet). Local, network, and remote connections can be either wired or wireless.
Unusual or unauthorized activities or conditions related to inbound/outbound communications traffic include internal traffic that indicates the presence of malicious code in systems or propagating among system components, the unauthorized exporting of information, or signaling to external systems. Evidence of malicious code is used to identify potentially compromised systems or system components. System monitoring requirements, including the need for specific types of system monitoring, may be referenced in other requirements.
NIST SP 800-94 provides guidance on intrusion detection and prevention systems.
Further Discussion
Think of indicators of attack as a set of footprints an adversary leaves during an attack. Indicators of attack provide information on the steps the adversary followed and its intent. Indicators of attacks on organizational systems may include:
- internal traffic that indicates the presence of malicious code;
- anomalous activity detected during non-business hours;
- unauthorized data leaving the organization; and
- communicating to external information systems.
To detect attacks and indicators of attacks, deploy monitoring devices or agents. Place these sensors at strategic points within the systems and networks to collect essential information. Strategic points include internal and external system boundaries. Monitor both inbound traffic and outbound traffic as well as actions on hosts.
This practice, SI.L2-3.14.6, provides details for the communications of organizational systems. SI.L2-3.14.6 supports the practice AU.L2-3.3.1, which involves creating and retaining records for monitoring, analysis, and investigations.