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SC-11

SC-11: Trusted Path

The information system establishes a trusted communications path between the user and the following security functions of the system: [Assignment: organization-defined security functions to include at a minimum, information system authentication and re-authentication].

Supplemental

Trusted paths are mechanisms by which users (through input devices) can communicate directly with security functions of information systems with the requisite assurance to support information security policies. The mechanisms can be activated only by users or the security functions of organizational information systems. User responses via trusted paths are protected from modifications by or disclosure to untrusted applications. Organizations employ trusted paths for high-assurance connections between security functions of information systems and users (e.g., during system logons). Enforcement of trusted communications paths is typically provided via an implementation that meets the reference monitor concept.

CIA Levels
Confidentiality	unknown
Integrity	unknown
Availability	unknown

Overlays
Cross Domain (Access), Cross Domain (Multilevel), Cross Domain (Transfer)

Related Controls

The controls below (if any) were marked by NIST as being related to SC-11.

Control	Description
AC-16	The organization: AC-16a.: Provides the means to associate [Assignment: organization-defined types of security attributes] having [Assignment: organization-defined security attribute values] with information in storage, in process, and/or in transmission; AC-16b.: Ensures that the security attribute associations are made and retained with the information; AC-16c.: Establishes the permitted [Assignment: organization-defined security attributes] for [Assignment: organization-defined information systems]; and AC-16d.: Determines the permitted [Assignment: organization-defined values or ranges] for each of the established security attributes.
AC-25	The information system implements a reference monitor for [Assignment: organization-defined access control policies] that is tamperproof, always invoked, and small enough to be subject to analysis and testing, the completeness of which can be assured.

Control

Description

AC-16

The organization:

AC-16a.: Provides the means to associate [Assignment: organization-defined types of security attributes] having [Assignment: organization-defined security attribute values] with information in storage, in process, and/or in transmission;

AC-16b.: Ensures that the security attribute associations are made and retained with the information;

AC-16c.: Establishes the permitted [Assignment: organization-defined security attributes] for [Assignment: organization-defined information systems]; and

AC-16d.: Determines the permitted [Assignment: organization-defined values or ranges] for each of the established security attributes.

AC-25

The information system implements a reference monitor for [Assignment: organization-defined access control policies] that is tamperproof, always invoked, and small enough to be subject to analysis and testing, the completeness of which can be assured.

Enhancements

The controls below (if any) add on to the requirements of SC-11.

Control	Description
SC-11 (1)	The information system provides a trusted communications path that is logically isolated and distinguishable from other paths.

Related CCIs

The CCIs below are tied to SC-11.

CCI	Definition
CCI-001135	The information system establishes a trusted communications path between the user and organization-defined security functions within the information system.
CCI-001661	The organization defines the security functions, to minimally include information system authentication and re-authentication, within the information system to be included in a trusted communications path.