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NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5 · SR-3

Supply Chain Controls and Processes

US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) · cited in 30 of our lessons

Explanation

What it asks for. The organisation must establish processes to identify and address weaknesses in the supply chain elements and processes for its systems, employ defined controls to protect against supply chain risks and document the selected controls.

In practice. This means a supply chain risk process that covers software, hardware and service providers, with controls such as approved supplier lists, contractual security requirements, software composition analysis and verification of updates. Auditors expect documented processes, the controls chosen and evidence they are applied. NIS2 explicitly requires supply chain security measures, and ISO/IEC 27001 supplier relationship controls cover related ground.

Common gaps. Supply chain risk is often treated as a procurement questionnaire with no technical controls. Open source dependencies are frequently left out of scope.

Open SP 800-53 at NIST
The official text
a. Establish a process or processes to identify and address weaknesses or deficiencies in the supply chain elements and processes of [Assignment: organization-defined system or system component] in coordination with [Assignment: organization-defined supply chain personnel]; b. Employ the following controls to protect against supply chain risks to the system, system component, or system service and to limit the harm or consequences from supply chain-related events: [Assignment: organization-defined supply chain controls] ; and c. Document the selected and implemented supply chain processes and controls in [Selection: security and privacy plans; supply chain risk management plan; {{ insert: param, sr-03_odp.05 }} ]. Discussion: Supply chain elements include organizations, entities, or tools employed for the research and development, design, manufacturing, acquisition, delivery, integration, operations and maintenance, and disposal of systems and system components. Supply chain processes include hardware, software, and firmware development processes; shipping and handling procedures; personnel security and physical security programs; configuration management tools, techniques, and measures to maintain provenance; or other programs, processes, or procedures associated with the development, acquisition, maintenance and disposal of systems and system components. Supply chain elements and processes may be provided by organizations, system integrators, or external providers. Weaknesses or deficiencies in supply chain elements or processes represent potential vulnerabilities that can be exploited by adversaries to cause harm to the organization and affect its ability to carry out its core missions or business functions. Supply chain personnel are individuals with roles and responsibilities in the supply chain.

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: the latest 12 of 30.