Au 5 5 Alternate Audit Logging

---
name: "AU-5(5)_alternate-audit-logging-capability"
description: "Provide an alternate audit logging capability in the event of a failure in primary audit logging capability that implements [organization-defined]."
category: "information-gathering"
version: "5.2.0"
author: "cyberstrike-official"
tags:
  - nist
  - sp800-53
  - rev5
  - au-5-5
  - au
  - enhancement
tech_stack:
  - aws
  - azure
  - gcp
  - linux
  - windows
cwe_ids:
  - CWE-778
chains_with:
  - AU-9
prerequisites:
  - AU-5
severity_boost:
  AU-9: "Chain with AU-9 for comprehensive security coverage"
---

# AU-5(5) Alternate Audit Logging Capability

> **Enhancement of:** AU-5

## High-Level Description

**Family:** Audit and Accountability (AU)
**Framework:** NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5

Since an alternate audit logging capability may be a short-term protection solution employed until the failure in the primary audit logging capability is corrected, organizations may determine that the alternate audit logging capability need only provide a subset of the primary audit logging functionality that is impacted by the failure.

## What to Check

- [ ] Verify AU-5(5) Alternate Audit Logging Capability is documented in SSP
- [ ] Confirm control is operating effectively
- [ ] Review evidence of continuous monitoring for AU-5(5)
- [ ] Verify enhancement builds upon base control AU-5

## How to Test

### Step 1: Review Documentation

Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for AU-5(5) 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

Provide an alternate audit logging capability in the event of a failure in primary audit logging capability that implements [organization-defined].

### Implementation Guidance

Since an alternate audit logging capability may be a short-term protection solution employed until the failure in the primary audit logging capability is corrected, organizations may determine that the alternate audit logging capability need only provide a subset of the primary audit logging functionality that is impacted by the failure.

## Risk Assessment

| Finding                                                    | Severity | Impact                              |
| ---------------------------------------------------------- | -------- | ----------------------------------- |
| AU-5(5) Alternate Audit Logging Capability not implemented | Medium   | Audit and Accountability            |
| AU-5(5) partially implemented                              | Low      | Incomplete Audit and Accountability |

## CWE Categories

| CWE ID  | Title                |
| ------- | -------------------- |
| CWE-778 | Insufficient Logging |

## References

- [NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 - AU-5(5)](https://csrc.nist.gov/projects/cprt/catalog#/cprt/framework/version/SP_800_53_5_1_1/home?element=au-5.5)
- [NIST SP 800-53A Rev 5 (Assessment Procedures)](https://csrc.nist.gov/pubs/sp/800/53/a/r5/final)
- [NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 Full Catalog](https://csrc.nist.gov/pubs/sp/800/53/r5/upd1/final)

## Checklist

- [ ] Control documented in SSP
- [ ] Implementation evidence collected
- [ ] Operating effectiveness validated
- [ ] Continuous monitoring in place
- [ ] Related controls (AU-9) reviewed