CA-8(1): Independent Penetration Testing Agent or Team
Control Family:
Parent Control:
PF v1.0 References:
Threats Addressed:
Baselines:
- High
Previous Version:
- NIST Special Publication 800-53 Revision 4:
- CA-8(1): Independent Penetration Agent Or Team
Control Statement
Employ an independent penetration testing agent or team to perform penetration testing on the system or system components.
Supplemental Guidance
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.
OT Baseline Rationale
Rationale for adding to High baseline: Specific expertise is necessary to conduct effective penetration testing on OT systems, and it may not be feasible to identify independent personnel with the appropriate skillset or knowledge to perform penetration testing on an OT environment. While an independent penetration test agent or team is recommended, it may not be feasible for all high-impact OT systems.