CP 9 System Backup

---
name: "CP-9_system-backup"
description: "Conduct backups of user-level information contained in [organization-defined] [organization-defined];"
category: "configuration"
version: "5.2.0"
author: "cyberstrike-official"
tags:
  - nist
  - sp800-53
  - rev5
  - cp-9
  - cp
tech_stack:
  - aws
  - azure
  - gcp
cwe_ids: []
chains_with:
  - CP-2
  - CP-6
  - CP-10
  - MP-4
  - MP-5
  - SC-8
  - SC-12
  - SC-13
  - SI-4
  - SI-13
prerequisites: []
severity_boost:
  CP-2: "Chain with CP-2 for comprehensive security coverage"
  CP-6: "Chain with CP-6 for comprehensive security coverage"
  CP-10: "Chain with CP-10 for comprehensive security coverage"
---

# CP-9 System Backup

## High-Level Description

**Family:** Contingency Planning (CP)
**Framework:** NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5

System-level information includes system state information, operating system software, middleware, application software, and licenses. User-level information includes information other than system-level information. Mechanisms employed to protect the integrity of system backups include digital signatures and cryptographic hashes. Protection of system backup information while in transit is addressed by [MP-5](#mp-5) and [SC-8](#sc-8) . System backups reflect the requirements in contingency plans as well as other organizational requirements for backing up information. Organizations may be subject to laws, executive orders, directives, regulations, or policies with requirements regarding specific categories of information (e.g., personal health information). Organizational personnel consult with the senior agency official for privacy and legal counsel regarding such requirements.

## What to Check

- [ ] Verify CP-9 System Backup is documented in SSP
- [ ] Validate all 4 control requirements are implemented
- [ ] Confirm control is operating effectively
- [ ] Review evidence of continuous monitoring for CP-9

## How to Test

### Step 1: Review Documentation

Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for CP-9 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

Conduct backups of user-level information contained in [organization-defined] [organization-defined];
Conduct backups of system-level information contained in the system [organization-defined];
Conduct backups of system documentation, including security- and privacy-related documentation [organization-defined] ; and
Protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of backup information.

### Implementation Guidance

System-level information includes system state information, operating system software, middleware, application software, and licenses. User-level information includes information other than system-level information. Mechanisms employed to protect the integrity of system backups include digital signatures and cryptographic hashes. Protection of system backup information while in transit is addressed by [MP-5](#mp-5) and [SC-8](#sc-8) . System backups reflect the requirements in contingency plans as well as other organizational requirements for backing up information. Organizations may be subject to laws, executive orders, directives, regulations, or policies with requirements regarding specific categories of information (e.g., personal health information). Organizational personnel consult with the senior agency official for privacy and legal counsel regarding such requirements.

## Risk Assessment

| Finding                            | Severity | Impact                          |
| ---------------------------------- | -------- | ------------------------------- |
| CP-9 System Backup not implemented | Medium   | Contingency Planning            |
| CP-9 partially implemented         | Low      | Incomplete Contingency Planning |

## CWE Categories

| CWE ID | Title                 |
| ------ | --------------------- |
| N/A    | No direct CWE mapping |

## References

- [NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 - CP-9](https://csrc.nist.gov/projects/cprt/catalog#/cprt/framework/version/SP_800_53_5_1_1/home?element=cp-9)
- [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 (CP-2, CP-6, CP-10, MP-4, MP-5) reviewed