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NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5 · MP-4

Media Storage

US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) · cited in 7 of our lessons

Explanation

What it asks for. Defined types of digital and non-digital media must be physically controlled and securely stored within controlled areas and protected until destroyed or sanitised.

In practice. Doing this well means locked storage for removable media, backup tapes and sensitive paper records, access limited to authorised staff, and logs or inventories for high-value media. Off-site storage should use vetted providers. Auditors look for storage locations, access controls and media inventories. Clean desk rules and lockable cabinets support this in offices. Encryption reduces the impact when media is lost.

Common gaps. Removable media and printed sensitive documents are often left in unsecured offices. Backup media sent off-site is not always tracked through its lifecycle. Media held by third parties is seldom checked.

Open SP 800-53 at NIST
The official text
a. Physically control and securely store [Assignment: organization-defined organization-defined types of digital and/or non-digital media] within [Assignment: organization-defined organization-defined controlled areas] ; and b. Protect system media types defined in MP-4a until the media are destroyed or sanitized using approved equipment, techniques, and procedures. Discussion: System media includes digital and non-digital media. Digital media includes flash drives, diskettes, magnetic tapes, external or removable hard disk drives (e.g., solid state, magnetic), compact discs, and digital versatile discs. Non-digital media includes paper and microfilm. Physically controlling stored media includes conducting inventories, ensuring procedures are in place to allow individuals to check out and return media to the library, and maintaining accountability for stored media. Secure storage includes a locked drawer, desk, or cabinet or a controlled media library. The type of media storage is commensurate with the security category or classification of the information on the media. Controlled areas are spaces that provide physical and procedural controls to meet the requirements established for protecting information and systems. Fewer controls may be needed for media that contains information determined to be in the public domain, publicly releasable, or have limited adverse impacts on organizations, operations, or individuals if accessed by other than authorized personnel. In these situations, physical access controls provide adequate protection.

From NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5, a work of the US government in the public domain.

Lessons that cite it

Real incidents where this item mattered.