EvidenceSheet
NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 · CM - Configuration Management

CM-8(3) System Component Inventory | Automated Unauthorized Component Detection

(a) Detect the presence of unauthorized hardware, software, and firmware components within the system using organization-defined automated mechanisms organization-defined frequency; and (b) Take the following actions when unauthorized components are detected: Selection (one or more): disable network access by such components; isolate the components; notify [organization-defined personnel or roles].

Source: NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5, CM-8(3). The statement above is our statement of the clause, read from the published text and cited so you can check it against the official text, not the instrument verbatim. Open NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 in the compliance library.

Base controls and their enhancements. Which apply follows the baseline you are assessed against (for example FedRAMP Moderate or High, or the low, moderate and high baselines of SP 800-53B). Text in square brackets is a parameter your organisation sets.

10
artefacts
3
held by a system
1
at each review
moderate
to go live
SIEM / log platform
where the evidence lives
teal = a system already holds it · olive = produced at each review. To go live: easy when half or more of the artefacts are already held by a system, moderate from a quarter to a half, hard below a quarter.

These are the artefacts auditors commonly ask for on this requirement, our guidance rather than text from the standard. Your assessor decides what is sufficient in your context, and asks for samples across the period when a report covers one.

system holds itEvidence a system already holds

  • Change control records · Cloud console / configuration management
  • Alerts/notifications of unauthorized components within the system · SIEM / log platform
  • System monitoring records · SIEM / log platform

periodic reviewEvidence produced at each review

  • Test of Organizational processes for detection of unauthorized system components; organizational processes for taking action when unauthorized system components are detected; automated mechanisms supporting and/or implementing the detection of unauthorized system components; automated mechanisms supporting · Cloud console / configuration management

governing documentDocuments that govern the control

  • Configuration management policy · Policy repository / GRC workspace
  • Procedures addressing system component inventory · Policy repository / GRC workspace
  • Configuration management plan · Policy repository / GRC workspace
  • System design documentation · Policy repository / GRC workspace
  • System security plan · Policy repository / GRC workspace
  • System component inventory · Policy repository / GRC workspace

First move

Start with the 3 of 10 artefacts that already live in a system (SIEM / log platform); keep the periodic reviews but log each one as a dated record with a named reviewer.

Common gaps auditors find

Do this for your whole sheet

Paste the rows you run your controls from and get this mapping for every control at once, with the periodic-review ones flagged and a first move per row. No account for the first run.

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