id: "SC-38" title: "Operations Security" family: "SC" family_name: "System and Communications Protection" sort_id: "sc-38" priority: "P1" implementation_level: "organization"
Statement
Employ the following operations security controls to protect key organizational information throughout the system development life cycle: {{ insert: param, sc-38_odp }}.
Guidance
Operations security (OPSEC) is a systematic process by which potential adversaries can be denied information about the capabilities and intentions of organizations by identifying, controlling, and protecting generally unclassified information that specifically relates to the planning and execution of sensitive organizational activities. The OPSEC process involves five steps: identification of critical information, analysis of threats, analysis of vulnerabilities, assessment of risks, and the application of appropriate countermeasures. OPSEC controls are applied to organizational systems and the environments in which those systems operate. OPSEC controls protect the confidentiality of information, including limiting the sharing of information with suppliers, potential suppliers, and other non-organizational elements and individuals. Information critical to organizational mission and business functions includes user identities, element uses, suppliers, supply chain processes, functional requirements, security requirements, system design specifications, testing and evaluation protocols, and security control implementation details.
Assessment Objective
{{ insert: param, sc-38_odp }} are employed to protect key organizational information throughout the system development life cycle.
System and communications protection policy
procedures addressing operations security
security plan
list of operations security safeguards
security control assessments
risk assessments
threat and vulnerability assessments
plans of action and milestones
system development life cycle documentation
system security plan
other relevant documents or records
System/network administrators
organizational personnel with information security responsibilities
organizational personnel installing, configuring, and/or maintaining the system
system developers/integrators
Organizational processes for protecting organizational information throughout the system development life cycle
mechanisms supporting and/or implementing safeguards to protect organizational information throughout the system development life cycle