AU-9(2)_store-on-separate-physical-systems-or-components
DevOps & SecurityAU-9(2)_store-on-separate-physical-systems-or-components is an Agent Skill for devops & security published in the CyberStrikeus/CyberStrike repository on GitHub: a SKILL.md instruction file an AI agent can load to do this task.
Store audit records [organization-defined] in a repository that is part of a physically different system or system component than the system or compon
How to use this skill
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Inspect the Agent Skill at https://github.com/CyberStrikeus/CyberStrike/blob/HEAD/.cyberstrike/skill/NIST/SP800-53_rev5/AU_audit-and-accountability/AU-9(2)_store-on-separate-physical-systems-or-components/SKILL.md and all supporting files. Report provenance, permissions, scripts, dependencies, and security risks. Propose an exact installation into .agents/skills/au-9-2-store-on-separate-physical-systems-or-components, but wait for my approval before writing files or running scripts.
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AU-9(2) Store on Separate Physical Systems or Components
Enhancement of: AU-9
High-Level Description
Family: Audit and Accountability (AU) Framework: NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5
Storing audit records in a repository separate from the audited system or system component helps to ensure that a compromise of the system being audited does not also result in a compromise of the audit records. Storing audit records on separate physical systems or components also preserves the confidentiality and integrity of audit records and facilitates the management of audit records as an organization-wide activity. Storing audit records on separate systems or components applies to initial generation as well as backup or long-term storage of audit records.
What to Check
- Verify AU-9(2) Store on Separate Physical Systems or Components is documented in SSP
- Confirm control is operating effectively
- Review evidence of continuous monitoring for AU-9(2)
- Verify enhancement builds upon base control AU-9
How to Test
Step 1: Review Documentation
Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for AU-9(2) implementation details. Verify the organization has documented how this control is satisfied.
Step 2: Validate Implementation
# For cloud environments, use cloud-audit-mcp tools
# For on-premises, review system configurations directly
# Example: Check if account management policies exist
grep -r "account.management\|access.control" /etc/security/ 2>/dev/null
Step 3: Test Operating Effectiveness
Verify the control is actively functioning, not just documented. Check logs, configurations, and operational evidence.
Tools
| Tool | Purpose | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| cloud-audit-mcp | Check logging configuration | cloud_audit_logging |
| AWS CLI | Review CloudTrail/CloudWatch | aws cloudtrail describe-trails |
Remediation Guide
Control Statement
Store audit records [organization-defined] in a repository that is part of a physically different system or system component than the system or component being audited.
Implementation Guidance
Storing audit records in a repository separate from the audited system or system component helps to ensure that a compromise of the system being audited does not also result in a compromise of the audit records. Storing audit records on separate physical systems or components also preserves the confidentiality and integrity of audit records and facilitates the management of audit records as an organization-wide activity. Storing audit records on separate systems or components applies to initial generation as well as backup or long-term storage of audit records.
Risk Assessment
| Finding | Severity | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| AU-9(2) Store on Separate Physical Systems or Components not implemented | Medium | Audit and Accountability |
| AU-9(2) partially implemented | Low | Incomplete Audit and Accountability |
CWE Categories
| CWE ID | Title |
|---|---|
| CWE-778 | Insufficient Logging |
References
- NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 - AU-9(2)
- NIST SP 800-53A Rev 5 (Assessment Procedures)
- NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 Full Catalog
Checklist
- Control documented in SSP
- Implementation evidence collected
- Operating effectiveness validated
- Continuous monitoring in place
- Related controls (AU-4, AU-5) reviewed