SC-42 Sensor Capability and Data

Guidance: nonePolicy clause: noneWhat these mean

Baselines	Implementation level	Enhancements
Not in a baseline	System	4 (0 in a baseline)

Related controls: SC-15

Control statement

• a. Prohibit [Selection (one or more): the use of devices possessing [Assignment: organization-defined environmental sensing capabilities] in [Assignment: organization-defined facilities, areas, or systems] ; the remote activation of environmental sensing capabilities on organizational systems or system components with the following exceptions: [Assignment: organization-defined exceptions where remote activation of sensors is allowed] ] ; and
• b. Provide an explicit indication of sensor use to [Assignment: organization-defined group of users].

NIST discussion

Sensor capability and data applies to types of systems or system components characterized as mobile devices, such as cellular telephones, smart phones, and tablets. Mobile devices often include sensors that can collect and record data regarding the environment where the system is in use. Sensors that are embedded within mobile devices include microphones, cameras, Global Positioning System (GPS) mechanisms, and accelerometers. While the sensors on mobiles devices provide an important function, if activated covertly, such devices can potentially provide a means for adversaries to learn valuable information about individuals and organizations. For example, remotely activating the GPS function on a mobile device could provide an adversary with the ability to track the movements of an individual. Organizations may prohibit individuals from bringing cellular telephones or digital cameras into certain designated facilities or controlled areas within facilities where classified information is stored or sensitive conversations are taking place.

Control enhancements

SC-42(1) Reporting to Authorized Individuals or Roles

Baselines: Not in a baseline

Verify that the system is configured so that data or information collected by the [Assignment: organization-defined sensors] is only reported to authorized individuals or roles.

Discussion and assessment objectives for SC-42(1)

In situations where sensors are activated by authorized individuals, it is still possible that the data or information collected by the sensors will be sent to unauthorized entities.

Determine if the system is configured so that data or information collected by the [Assignment: organization-defined sensors] is only reported to authorized individuals or roles.

Examine: System and communications protection policy; access control policy and procedures; procedures addressing sensor capability and data collection; personally identifiable information processing policy; system design documentation; system configuration settings and associated documentation; system architecture; system audit records; system security plan; privacy plan; other relevant documents or records.

Interview: System/network administrators; organizational personnel with information security and privacy responsibilities; system developer; organizational personnel installing, configuring, and/or maintaining the system; organizational personnel responsible for the sensor capabilities.

Test: Mechanisms restricting the reporting of sensor information to those authorized; sensor data collection and reporting capabilities for the system.

SC-42(2) Authorized Use

Baselines: Not in a baseline

Employ the following measures so that data or information collected by [Assignment: organization-defined sensors] is only used for authorized purposes: [Assignment: organization-defined measures].

Discussion and assessment objectives for SC-42(2)

Information collected by sensors for a specific authorized purpose could be misused for some unauthorized purpose. For example, GPS sensors that are used to support traffic navigation could be misused to track the movements of individuals. Measures to mitigate such activities include additional training to help ensure that authorized individuals do not abuse their authority and, in the case where sensor data is maintained by external parties, contractual restrictions on the use of such data.

Determine if [Assignment: organization-defined measures] are employed so that data or information collected by [Assignment: organization-defined sensors] is only used for authorized purposes.

Examine: System and communications protection policy; access control policy and procedures; personally identifiable information processing policy; sensor capability and data collection; system design documentation; system configuration settings and associated documentation; system architecture; list of measures to be employed to that the ensure data or information collected by sensors is only used for authorized purposes; system audit records; system security plan; privacy plan; other relevant documents or records.

Interview: System/network administrators; organizational personnel with information security and privacy responsibilities; organizational personnel installing, configuring, and/or maintaining the system; organizational personnel responsible for sensor capabilities.

Test: Mechanisms supporting and/or implementing measures to ensure that sensor information is only used for authorized purposes; sensor information collection capability for the system.

SC-42(4) Notice of Collection

Baselines: Not in a baseline

Employ the following measures to facilitate an individual’s awareness that personally identifiable information is being collected by [Assignment: organization-defined sensors]: [Assignment: organization-defined measures].

Discussion and assessment objectives for SC-42(4)

Awareness that organizational sensors are collecting data enables individuals to more effectively engage in managing their privacy. Measures can include conventional written notices and sensor configurations that make individuals directly or indirectly aware through other devices that the sensor is collecting information. The usability and efficacy of the notice are important considerations.

Determine if [Assignment: organization-defined measures] are employed to facilitate an individual’s awareness that personally identifiable information is being collected by [Assignment: organization-defined sensors]

Examine: System and communications protection policy; access control policy and procedures; personally identifiable information processing policy; sensor capability and data collection policy and procedures; system design documentation; system configuration settings and associated documentation; privacy risk assessment documentation; privacy impact assessments; system architecture; list of measures to be employed to ensure that individuals are aware that personally identifiable information is being collected by sensors; examples of notifications provided to individuals that personally identifiable information is being collected by sensors; system audit records; system security plan; privacy plan; other relevant documents or records.

Interview: System/network administrators; organizational personnel with information security and privacy responsibilities; organizational personnel installing, configuring, and/or maintaining the system; organizational personnel responsible for sensor capabilities.

Test: Mechanisms supporting and/or implementing measures to facilitate an individual’s awareness that personally identifiable information is being collected by sensors; sensor information collection capabilities for the system.

SC-42(5) Collection Minimization

Baselines: Not in a baseline

Employ [Assignment: organization-defined sensors] that are configured to minimize the collection of information about individuals that is not needed.

Discussion and assessment objectives for SC-42(5)

Although policies to control for authorized use can be applied to information once it is collected, minimizing the collection of information that is not needed mitigates privacy risk at the system entry point and mitigates the risk of policy control failures. Sensor configurations include the obscuring of human features, such as blurring or pixelating flesh tones.

Determine if the [Assignment: organization-defined sensors] configured to minimize the collection of information about individuals that is not needed are employed.

Examine: System and communications protection policy; access control policy and procedures; personally identifiable information processing policy; sensor capability and data collection policy and procedures; system design documentation; system configuration settings and associated documentation; privacy risk assessment documentation; privacy impact assessments; system architecture; list of information being collected by sensors; list of sensor configurations that minimize the collection of personally identifiable information (e.g., obscure human features); system audit records; system security plan; privacy plan; other relevant documents or records.

Interview: System/network administrators; organizational personnel with information security and privacy responsibilities; organizational personnel installing, configuring, and/or maintaining the system; organizational personnel responsible for sensor capabilities.

Test: Mechanisms supporting and/or implementing measures to facilitate the review of information that is being collected by sensors; sensor information collection capabilities for the system.

Withdrawn enhancements: SC-42(3).

Assessment objectives (SP 800-53A)

Objectives and methods for SC-42

Determine if:

• SC-42a. [Selection (one or more): the use of devices possessing [Assignment: organization-defined environmental sensing capabilities] in [Assignment: organization-defined facilities, areas, or systems] ; the remote activation of environmental sensing capabilities on organizational systems or system components with the following exceptions: [Assignment: organization-defined exceptions where remote activation of sensors is allowed] ] is/are prohibited;
• SC-42b. an explicit indication of sensor use is provided to [Assignment: organization-defined group of users].

Examine: System and communications protection policy; procedures addressing sensor capabilities and data collection; access control policy and procedures; system design documentation; system configuration settings and associated documentation; system audit records; system security plan; privacy plan; other relevant documents or records.

Interview: System/network administrators; organizational personnel with information security and privacy responsibilities; system developer; organizational personnel installing, configuring, and/or maintaining the system; organizational personnel responsible for sensor capabilities.

Test: Mechanisms implementing access controls for the remote activation of system sensor capabilities; mechanisms implementing the capability to indicate sensor use.