id: "SC-31" title: "Covert Channel Analysis" family: "SC" family_name: "System and Communications Protection" sort_id: "sc-31" priority: "P1" implementation_level: "organization" enhancements: - sc-31.1 - sc-31.2 - sc-31.3
Perform a covert channel analysis to identify those aspects of communications within the system that are potential avenues for covert {{ insert: param, sc-31_odp }} channels; and
Estimate the maximum bandwidth of those channels.
Guidance
Developers are in the best position to identify potential areas within systems that might lead to covert channels. Covert channel analysis is a meaningful activity when there is the potential for unauthorized information flows across security domains, such as in the case of systems that contain export-controlled information and have connections to external networks (i.e., networks that are not controlled by organizations). Covert channel analysis is also useful for multilevel secure systems, multiple security level systems, and cross-domain systems.
Assessment Objective: a covert channel analysis is performed to identify those aspects of communications within the system that are potential avenues for covert {{ insert: param, sc-31_odp }} channels;
Assessment Objective: the maximum bandwidth of those channels is estimated.
System and communications protection policy
procedures addressing covert channel analysis
system design documentation
system configuration settings and associated documentation
covert channel analysis documentation
system audit records
system security plan
other relevant documents or records
System/network administrators
organizational personnel with information security responsibilities
organizational personnel with covert channel analysis responsibilities
system developers/integrators
Organizational process for conducting covert channel analysis
mechanisms supporting and/or implementing covert channel analysis
mechanisms supporting and/or implementing the capability to estimate the bandwidth of covert channels