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SA-4(6)Acquisition Process | Use of Information Assurance Products

IL6

>Control Description

(a) Employ only government off-the-shelf or commercial off-the-shelf information assurance and information assurance-enabled information technology products that compose an NSA-approved solution to protect classified information when the networks used to transmit the information are at a lower classification level than the information being transmitted; and (b) Ensure that these products have been evaluated and/or validated by NSA or in accordance with NSA-approved procedures.

>DoD Impact Level Requirements

No specific parameter values or requirements for this impact level.

>Discussion

Commercial off-the-shelf IA or IA-enabled information technology products used to protect classified information by cryptographic means may be required to use NSA-approved key management. See NSA CSFC.

>Related Controls

>Assessment Interview Topics

Questions assessors commonly ask

Process & Governance:

  • What acquisition policies and procedures address the requirements of SA-4(6)?
  • How are security and privacy requirements integrated into the acquisition process?
  • Who is responsible for ensuring that acquisitions comply with SA-4(6)?

Technical Implementation:

  • How are security requirements defined and documented in acquisition contracts?
  • What mechanisms ensure that acquired systems and services meet security requirements?
  • How do you validate that vendors and service providers comply with specified security controls?

Evidence & Documentation:

  • Can you provide examples of acquisition documentation that includes security requirements?
  • What evidence demonstrates that acquired systems meet security specifications?
  • Where is acquisition security documentation maintained throughout the system lifecycle?

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