AU-16—Cross-organizational Audit Logging
>Control Description
>DoD Impact Level Requirements
No specific parameter values or requirements for this impact level.
>Discussion
When organizations use systems or services of external organizations, the audit logging capability necessitates a coordinated, cross-organization approach. For example, maintaining the identity of individuals who request specific services across organizational boundaries may often be difficult, and doing so may prove to have significant performance and privacy ramifications. Therefore, it is often the case that cross-organizational audit logging simply captures the identity of individuals who issue requests at the initial system, and subsequent systems record that the requests originated from authorized individuals.
Organizations consider including processes for coordinating audit information requirements and protection of audit information in information exchange agreements.
>Related Controls
>Assessment Interview Topics
Questions assessors commonly ask
Process & Governance:
- •What formal policies and procedures govern the implementation of AU-16 (Cross-Organizational Audit Logging)?
- •Who are the designated roles responsible for implementing, maintaining, and monitoring AU-16?
- •How frequently is the AU-16 policy reviewed and updated, and what triggers policy changes?
- •What training or awareness programs ensure personnel understand their responsibilities related to AU-16?
Technical Implementation:
- •Describe the specific technical mechanisms or controls used to enforce AU-16 requirements.
- •What automated tools, systems, or technologies are deployed to implement AU-16?
- •How is AU-16 integrated into your system architecture and overall security posture?
- •What configuration settings, parameters, or technical specifications enforce AU-16 requirements?
Evidence & Documentation:
- •What documentation demonstrates the complete implementation of AU-16?
- •What audit logs, records, reports, or monitoring data validate AU-16 compliance?
- •Can you provide evidence of periodic reviews, assessments, or testing of AU-16 effectiveness?
- •What artifacts would you present during a FedRAMP assessment to demonstrate AU-16 compliance?
Ask AI
Configure your API key to use AI features.