Sa 11 3 Independent Verification Of

---
name: "SA-11(3)_independent-verification-of-assessment-plans-and-evidence"
description: "Require an independent agent satisfying [organization-defined] to verify the correct implementation of the developer security and privacy assessmen..."
category: "configuration"
version: "5.2.0"
author: "cyberstrike-official"
tags:
  - nist
  - sp800-53
  - rev5
  - sa-11-3
  - sa
  - enhancement
tech_stack:
  - any
cwe_ids:
  - CWE-16
chains_with:
  - AT-3
  - RA-5
prerequisites:
  - SA-11
severity_boost:
  AT-3: "Chain with AT-3 for comprehensive security coverage"
  RA-5: "Chain with RA-5 for comprehensive security coverage"
---

# SA-11(3) Independent Verification of Assessment Plans and Evidence

> **Enhancement of:** SA-11

## High-Level Description

**Family:** System and Services Acquisition (SA)
**Framework:** NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5

Independent agents have the qualifications—including the expertise, skills, training, certifications, and experience—to verify the correct implementation of developer security and privacy assessment plans.

## What to Check

- [ ] Verify SA-11(3) Independent Verification of Assessment Plans and Evidence is documented in SSP
- [ ] Validate all 2 control requirements are implemented
- [ ] Confirm control is operating effectively
- [ ] Review evidence of continuous monitoring for SA-11(3)
- [ ] Verify enhancement builds upon base control SA-11

## How to Test

### Step 1: Review Documentation

Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for SA-11(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

Require an independent agent satisfying [organization-defined] to verify the correct implementation of the developer security and privacy assessment plans and the evidence produced during testing and evaluation; and
Verify that the independent agent is provided with sufficient information to complete the verification process or granted the authority to obtain such information.

### Implementation Guidance

Independent agents have the qualifications—including the expertise, skills, training, certifications, and experience—to verify the correct implementation of developer security and privacy assessment plans.

## Risk Assessment

| Finding                                                                            | Severity | Impact                                     |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------- | ------------------------------------------ |
| SA-11(3) Independent Verification of Assessment Plans and Evidence not implemented | Medium   | System and Services Acquisition            |
| SA-11(3) partially implemented                                                     | Low      | Incomplete System and Services Acquisition |

## CWE Categories

| CWE ID | Title         |
| ------ | ------------- |
| CWE-16 | Configuration |

## References

- [NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 - SA-11(3)](https://csrc.nist.gov/projects/cprt/catalog#/cprt/framework/version/SP_800_53_5_1_1/home?element=sa-11.3)
- [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 (AT-3, RA-5) reviewed