NIST Special Publication 800-171 Revision 2

Date Published: January 28th, 2021

Withdrawn on May 14, 2024. Superseded by SP 800-171 Rev. 3

Author(s): Ron Ross (NIST), Victoria Pillitteri (NIST), Kelley Dempsey (NIST), Mark Riddle (NARA), Gary Guissanie (IDA)

Note: A Class Deviation is in effect as of May 2, 2024 (DEVIATION 2024O0013). The deviation clause requires contractors, who are subject to 252.204-7012, to comply with National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication (SP) 800-171 Revision 2, instead of the version of NIST SP 800-171 in effect at the time the solicitation is issued or as authorized by the contracting officer. Click Here

3.1.14 Route remote access via managed access control points.

Control Family: Access Control

Control Type: Derived

SPRS Value: 1

SPRS Supplemental Guidance:

N/A

CMMC Level(s): AC.L2-3.1.14

Top Ten Failed Requirement: No

Referenced in:

DFARS 252.204-7012

Derived From: NIST SP 800-53r4

  • AC-17(3)

NIST Supplemental Guidance:

N/A

Discussion:

Routing remote access through managed access control points enhances explicit, organizational control over such connections, reducing the susceptibility to unauthorized access to organizational systems resulting in the unauthorized disclosure of CUI.

Determining Statements (NIST SP 800-171Ar2)

Upon assessment, assessors must determine if-

3.1.14[a] managed access control points are identified and implemented.
3.1.14[b] remote access is routed through managed network access control points.

Assessors are instructed to-

Examine: [SELECT FROM: Access control policy; procedures addressing remote access to the system; system security plan; system design documentation; list of all managed network access control points; system configuration settings and associated documentation; system audit logs and records; other relevant documents or records].

Interview: [SELECT FROM: System or network administrators; personnel with information security responsibilities].

Test: [SELECT FROM: Mechanisms routing all remote accesses through managed network access control points]

FURTHER DISCUSSION

The OSA can route all remote access through a limited number of remote access control points to reduce the attack surface and simplify network management. This allows for better monitoring and control of the remote connections. This requirement, AC.L2-3.1.14, limits remote access to specific access control points and complements five other requirements dealing with remote access (AC.L2-3.1.12, AC.L2- 3.1.13, AC.L2-3.1.15, IA.L2-3.5.3, and MA.L2-3.7.5):

  • AC.L2-3.1.12 requires the control of remote access sessions.

  • AC.L2-3.1.13 requires the use of cryptographic mechanisms when enabling remote sessions.

  • AC.L2-3.1.15 requires authorization for privileged commands executed during a remote session.

  • IA.L2-3.5.3 requires multifactor authentication for network access to non-privileged accounts.

  • Finally, MA.L2-3.7.5 requires the addition of multifactor authentication for remote maintenance sessions.

Example

You manage systems for a company that processes CUI at multiple locations, and several employees at different locations need to connect to the organization’s networks while working remotely. Because each company location has a direct connection to headquarters, you decide to route all remote access through the headquarters location [a]. All remote traffic is routed through a single location to simplify monitoring [b].

Potential Assessment Considerations

  • How many managed access control points are implemented [a]?

  • Is all remote access routed through the managed access control points [b]?

Frameworks & Controls