SA-17_developer-security-and-privacy-architecture-and-design
DevOps & SecurityRequire the developer of the system, system component, or system service to produce a design specification and security and privacy architecture that:
How to use this skill
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SA-17 Developer Security and Privacy Architecture and Design
High-Level Description
Family: System and Services Acquisition (SA) Framework: NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5
Developer security and privacy architecture and design are directed at external developers, although they could also be applied to internal (in-house) development. In contrast, PL-8 is directed at internal developers to ensure that organizations develop a security and privacy architecture that is integrated with the enterprise architecture. The distinction between SA-17 and PL-8 is especially important when organizations outsource the development of systems, system components, or system services and when there is a requirement to demonstrate consistency with the enterprise architecture and security and privacy architecture of the organization. ISO 15408-2, ISO 15408-3 , and SP 800-160-1 provide information on security architecture and design, including formal policy models, security-relevant components, formal and informal correspondence, conceptually simple design, and structuring for least privilege and testing.
What to Check
- Verify SA-17 Developer Security and Privacy Architecture and Design is documented in SSP
- Validate all 3 control requirements are implemented
- Confirm control is operating effectively
- Review evidence of continuous monitoring for SA-17
How to Test
Step 1: Review Documentation
Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for SA-17 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Manual Review | Documentation and interview-based | N/A |
Remediation Guide
Control Statement
Require the developer of the system, system component, or system service to produce a design specification and security and privacy architecture that: Is consistent with the organization’s security and privacy architecture that is an integral part the organization’s enterprise architecture; Accurately and completely describes the required security and privacy functionality, and the allocation of controls among physical and logical components; and Expresses how individual security and privacy functions, mechanisms, and services work together to provide required security and privacy capabilities and a unified approach to protection.
Implementation Guidance
Developer security and privacy architecture and design are directed at external developers, although they could also be applied to internal (in-house) development. In contrast, PL-8 is directed at internal developers to ensure that organizations develop a security and privacy architecture that is integrated with the enterprise architecture. The distinction between SA-17 and PL-8 is especially important when organizations outsource the development of systems, system components, or system services and when there is a requirement to demonstrate consistency with the enterprise architecture and security and privacy architecture of the organization. ISO 15408-2, ISO 15408-3 , and SP 800-160-1 provide information on security architecture and design, including formal policy models, security-relevant components, formal and informal correspondence, conceptually simple design, and structuring for least privilege and testing.
Risk Assessment
| Finding | Severity | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| SA-17 Developer Security and Privacy Architecture and Design not implemented | Medium | System and Services Acquisition |
| SA-17 partially implemented | Low | Incomplete System and Services Acquisition |
CWE Categories
| CWE ID | Title |
|---|---|
| CWE-16 | Configuration |
References
- NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 - SA-17
- 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 (PL-2, PL-8, PM-7, SA-3, SA-4) reviewed