SC-26 Decoys

Guidance: nonePolicy clause: noneWhat these mean

Baselines	Implementation level	Enhancements
Not in a baseline	System	None

Related controls: RA-5, SC-7, SC-30, SC-35, SC-44, SI-3, SI-4

Control statement

Include components within organizational systems specifically designed to be the target of malicious attacks for detecting, deflecting, and analyzing such attacks.

NIST discussion

Decoys (i.e., honeypots, honeynets, or deception nets) are established to attract adversaries and deflect attacks away from the operational systems that support organizational mission and business functions. Use of decoys requires some supporting isolation measures to ensure that any deflected malicious code does not infect organizational systems. Depending on the specific usage of the decoy, consultation with the Office of the General Counsel before deployment may be needed.

Withdrawn enhancements: SC-26(1).

Assessment objectives (SP 800-53A)

Objectives and methods for SC-26

Determine if:

• SC-26[01] components within organizational systems specifically designed to be the target of malicious attacks are included to detect such attacks;
• SC-26[02] components within organizational systems specifically designed to be the target of malicious attacks are included to deflect such attacks;
• SC-26[03] components within organizational systems specifically designed to be the target of malicious attacks are included to analyze such attacks.

Examine: System and communications protection policy; procedures addressing the use of decoys; system design documentation; system configuration settings and associated documentation; system audit records; system security plan; other relevant documents or records.

Interview: System/network administrators; organizational personnel with information security responsibilities; system developer.

Test: Mechanisms supporting and/or implementing decoys.