SC 36(1) Polling Techniques

---
name: "SC-36(1)_polling-techniques"
description: "Employ polling techniques to identify potential faults, errors, or compromises to the following processing and storage components: [organization-de..."
category: "configuration"
version: "5.2.0"
author: "cyberstrike-official"
tags:
  - nist
  - sp800-53
  - rev5
  - sc-36-1
  - sc
  - enhancement
tech_stack:
  - aws
  - azure
  - gcp
  - linux
  - windows
  - network
cwe_ids:
  - CWE-311
chains_with:
  - SI-4
prerequisites:
  - SC-36
severity_boost:
  SI-4: "Chain with SI-4 for comprehensive security coverage"
---

# SC-36(1) Polling Techniques

> **Enhancement of:** SC-36

## High-Level Description

**Family:** System and Communications Protection (SC)
**Framework:** NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5

Distributed processing and/or storage may be used to reduce opportunities for adversaries to compromise the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of organizational information and systems. However, the distribution of processing and storage components does not prevent adversaries from compromising one or more of the components. Polling compares the processing results and/or storage content from the distributed components and subsequently votes on the outcomes. Polling identifies potential faults, compromises, or errors in the distributed processing and storage components.

## What to Check

- [ ] Verify SC-36(1) Polling Techniques is documented in SSP
- [ ] Validate all 2 control requirements are implemented
- [ ] Confirm control is operating effectively
- [ ] Review evidence of continuous monitoring for SC-36(1)
- [ ] Verify enhancement builds upon base control SC-36

## How to Test

### Step 1: Review Documentation

Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for SC-36(1) 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 encryption and network controls | `cloud_audit_encryption`             |
| nmap            | Network scanning                      | `nmap -sV --script ssl-enum-ciphers` |

## Remediation Guide

### Control Statement

Employ polling techniques to identify potential faults, errors, or compromises to the following processing and storage components: [organization-defined] ; and
Take the following actions in response to identified faults, errors, or compromises: [organization-defined].

### Implementation Guidance

Distributed processing and/or storage may be used to reduce opportunities for adversaries to compromise the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of organizational information and systems. However, the distribution of processing and storage components does not prevent adversaries from compromising one or more of the components. Polling compares the processing results and/or storage content from the distributed components and subsequently votes on the outcomes. Polling identifies potential faults, compromises, or errors in the distributed processing and storage components.

## Risk Assessment

| Finding                                     | Severity | Impact                                          |
| ------------------------------------------- | -------- | ----------------------------------------------- |
| SC-36(1) Polling Techniques not implemented | High     | System and Communications Protection            |
| SC-36(1) partially implemented              | Medium   | Incomplete System and Communications Protection |

## CWE Categories

| CWE ID  | Title                                |
| ------- | ------------------------------------ |
| CWE-311 | Missing Encryption of Sensitive Data |

## References

- [NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 - SC-36(1)](https://csrc.nist.gov/projects/cprt/catalog#/cprt/framework/version/SP_800_53_5_1_1/home?element=sc-36.1)
- [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 (SI-4) reviewed