Discussion:

This requirement applies to individuals who are performing hardware or software maintenance on organizational systems, while 3.10.1 addresses physical access for individuals whose maintenance duties place them within the physical protection perimeter of the systems (e.g., custodial staff, physical plant maintenance personnel). Individuals not previously identified as authorized maintenance personnel, such as information technology manufacturers, vendors, consultants, and systems integrators, may require privileged access to organizational systems, for example, when required to conduct maintenance activities with little or no notice. Organizations may choose to issue temporary credentials to these individuals based on organizational risk assessments. Temporary credentials may be for one-time use or for very limited time periods.

Upon assessment, assessors must determine if-

Determine if maintenance personnel without required access authorization are supervised
during maintenance activities.

Assessors are instructed to-

Examine: [SELECT FROM: System maintenance policy; procedures addressing maintenance personnel; service provider contracts; service-level agreements; list of authorized personnel; maintenance records; access control records; system security plan; other relevant documents or records].

Interview: [SELECT FROM: Personnel with system maintenance responsibilities; personnel with information security responsibilities].

Test: [SELECT FROM: Organizational processes for authorizing and managing maintenance personnel; mechanisms supporting or implementing authorization of maintenance personnel].