Ps 3 3 Information Requiring Special

---
name: "PS-3(3)_information-requiring-special-protective-measures"
description: "Verify that individuals accessing a system processing, storing, or transmitting information requiring special protection: Have valid access authorizat"
category: "configuration"
version: "5.2.0"
author: "cyberstrike-official"
tags:
  - nist
  - sp800-53
  - rev5
  - ps-3-3
  - ps
  - enhancement
tech_stack:
  - any
cwe_ids: []
chains_with: []
prerequisites:
  - PS-3
severity_boost: {}
---

# PS-3(3) Information Requiring Special Protective Measures

> **Enhancement of:** PS-3

## High-Level Description

**Family:** Personnel Security (PS)
**Framework:** NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5

Organizational information that requires special protection includes controlled unclassified information. Personnel security criteria include position sensitivity background screening requirements.

## What to Check

- [ ] Verify PS-3(3) Information Requiring Special Protective Measures is documented in SSP
- [ ] Validate all 2 control requirements are implemented
- [ ] Confirm control is operating effectively
- [ ] Review evidence of continuous monitoring for PS-3(3)
- [ ] Verify enhancement builds upon base control PS-3

## How to Test

### Step 1: Review Documentation

Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for PS-3(3) 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

Verify that individuals accessing a system processing, storing, or transmitting information requiring special protection:
Have valid access authorizations that are demonstrated by assigned official government duties; and
Satisfy [organization-defined].

### Implementation Guidance

Organizational information that requires special protection includes controlled unclassified information. Personnel security criteria include position sensitivity background screening requirements.

## Risk Assessment

| Finding                                                                   | Severity | Impact                        |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------- | ----------------------------- |
| PS-3(3) Information Requiring Special Protective Measures not implemented | Medium   | Personnel Security            |
| PS-3(3) partially implemented                                             | Low      | Incomplete Personnel Security |

## CWE Categories

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

## References

- [NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 - PS-3(3)](https://csrc.nist.gov/projects/cprt/catalog#/cprt/framework/version/SP_800_53_5_1_1/home?element=ps-3.3)
- [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 (none) reviewed