SC-45(1): Synchronization with Authoritative Time Source

Control Family:

System and Communications Protection

Parent Control:

SC-45: System Time Synchronization

Threats Addressed:

Baselines:

(Not part of any baseline)

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Control is new to this version of the control set and incorporates the following item from the previous version: AU-8(1): Synchronization With Authoritative Time Source.

Control Statement

  1. Compare the internal system clocks [Assignment: organization-defined frequency] with [Assignment: organization-defined authoritative time source] ; and
  2. Synchronize the internal system clocks to the authoritative time source when the time difference is greater than [Assignment: organization-defined time period].

Supplemental Guidance

Synchronization of internal system clocks with an authoritative source provides uniformity of time stamps for systems with multiple system clocks and systems connected over a network.

OT Discussion

Syncing with an authoritative time source may be selected as a control when data is being correlated across organizational boundaries. OT employ suitable mechanisms (e.g., GPS, IEEE 1588) for timestamps.