CA-8 (01)—Penetration Testing | Independent Penetration Testing Agent or Team
Moderate
High
>Control Description
Employ an independent penetration testing agent or team to perform penetration testing on the system or system components.
>FedRAMP Baseline Requirements
No FedRAMP-specific parameter values or requirements for this baseline.
>Discussion
Independent penetration testing agents or teams are individuals or groups who conduct impartial penetration testing of organizational systems. Impartiality implies that penetration testing agents or teams are free from perceived or actual conflicts of interest with respect to the development, operation, or management of the systems that are the targets of the penetration testing. CA-2 (1) provides additional information on independent assessments that can be applied to penetration testing.
>Assessment Interview Topics
Questions assessors commonly ask
Process & Governance:
- •What formal policies and procedures govern the implementation of CA-8(1) (Independent Penetration Testing Agent Or Team)?
- •Who are the designated roles responsible for implementing, maintaining, and monitoring CA-8(1)?
- •How frequently is the CA-8(1) policy reviewed and updated, and what triggers policy changes?
- •What training or awareness programs ensure personnel understand their responsibilities related to CA-8(1)?
Technical Implementation:
- •Describe the specific technical mechanisms or controls used to enforce CA-8(1) requirements.
- •What automated tools, systems, or technologies are deployed to implement CA-8(1)?
- •How is CA-8(1) integrated into your system architecture and overall security posture?
- •What configuration settings, parameters, or technical specifications enforce CA-8(1) requirements?
Evidence & Documentation:
- •What documentation demonstrates the complete implementation of CA-8(1)?
- •What audit logs, records, reports, or monitoring data validate CA-8(1) compliance?
- •Can you provide evidence of periodic reviews, assessments, or testing of CA-8(1) effectiveness?
- •What artifacts would you present during a FedRAMP assessment to demonstrate CA-8(1) compliance?
Ask AI
Configure your API key to use AI features.