AC-11: Session Lock

Control Family:

Access Control

CSF v1.1 References:

Threats Addressed:

Baselines:

  • Low

    N/A

  • Moderate
  • High

Next Version:

Control Statement

The information system:

  1. Prevents further access to the system by initiating a session lock after [Assignment: organization-defined time period] of inactivity or upon receiving a request from a user; and
  2. Retains the session lock until the user reestablishes access using established identification and authentication procedures.

Supplemental Guidance

Session locks are temporary actions taken when users stop work and move away from the immediate vicinity of information systems but do not want to log out because of the temporary nature of their absences. Session locks are implemented where session activities can be determined. This is typically at the operating system level, but can also be at the application level. Session locks are not an acceptable substitute for logging out of information systems, for example, if organizations require users to log out at the end of workdays.

Control Enhancements

AC-11(1): Pattern-Hiding Displays

Baseline(s):

  • Moderate
  • High

The information system conceals, via the session lock, information previously visible on the display with a publicly viewable image.