SR 9 Tamper Resistance And Detection

---
name: "SR-9_tamper-resistance-and-detection"
description: "Implement a tamper protection program for the system, system component, or system service."
category: "configuration"
version: "5.2.0"
author: "cyberstrike-official"
tags:
  - nist
  - sp800-53
  - rev5
  - sr-9
  - sr
tech_stack:
  - any
cwe_ids: []
chains_with:
  - PE-3
  - PM-30
  - SA-15
  - SI-4
  - SI-7
  - SR-3
  - SR-4
  - SR-5
  - SR-10
  - SR-11
prerequisites: []
severity_boost:
  PE-3: "Chain with PE-3 for comprehensive security coverage"
  PM-30: "Chain with PM-30 for comprehensive security coverage"
  SA-15: "Chain with SA-15 for comprehensive security coverage"
---

# SR-9 Tamper Resistance and Detection

## High-Level Description

**Family:** Supply Chain Risk Management (SR)
**Framework:** NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5

Anti-tamper technologies, tools, and techniques provide a level of protection for systems, system components, and services against many threats, including reverse engineering, modification, and substitution. Strong identification combined with tamper resistance and/or tamper detection is essential to protecting systems and components during distribution and when in use.

## What to Check

- [ ] Verify SR-9 Tamper Resistance and Detection is documented in SSP
- [ ] Confirm control is operating effectively
- [ ] Review evidence of continuous monitoring for SR-9

## How to Test

### Step 1: Review Documentation

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

Implement a tamper protection program for the system, system component, or system service.

### Implementation Guidance

Anti-tamper technologies, tools, and techniques provide a level of protection for systems, system components, and services against many threats, including reverse engineering, modification, and substitution. Strong identification combined with tamper resistance and/or tamper detection is essential to protecting systems and components during distribution and when in use.

## Risk Assessment

| Finding                                              | Severity | Impact                                  |
| ---------------------------------------------------- | -------- | --------------------------------------- |
| SR-9 Tamper Resistance and Detection not implemented | Medium   | Supply Chain Risk Management            |
| SR-9 partially implemented                           | Low      | Incomplete Supply Chain Risk Management |

## CWE Categories

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

## References

- [NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 - SR-9](https://csrc.nist.gov/projects/cprt/catalog#/cprt/framework/version/SP_800_53_5_1_1/home?element=sr-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 (PE-3, PM-30, SA-15, SI-4, SI-7) reviewed