03.13.12 — Collaborative Computing Devices and Applications

Official NIST requirement content

Security requirement

a.Prohibit the remote activation of collaborative computing devices and applications with the following exceptions: [Organization-defined: exceptions].
b.Provide an explicit indication of use to users physically present at the devices.

Official NIST discussion

Discussion

Collaborative computing devices include white boards, microphones, and cameras. Notebook computers, smartphones, display monitors, and tablets containing cameras and microphones are considered part of collaborative computing devices when conferencing software is in use. Indication of use includes notifying users (e.g., a pop-up menu stating that recording is in progress or that the microphone has been turned on) when collaborative computing devices are activated. Dedicated video conferencing systems, which typically rely on one of the participants calling or connecting to the other party to activate the video conference, are excluded. Solutions to prevent device usage include webcam covers and buttons to disable microphones.

Official organization-defined parameters

Tailoring decisions required

Resolve these values through the governing organization’s approved tailoring and risk-management process before declaring the requirement implemented.

exceptionsorganization-defined exceptions where remote activation is to be allowedexceptions where remote activation is to be allowed are defined.

Bare Metal Cyber interpretation

Implementation perspective

Treat Collaborative Computing Devices and Applications as a CUI protection outcome that must be reflected in the system boundary, documented implementation, operational behavior, and assessment evidence. Pay particular attention to secure architecture, boundary protection, communications security, cryptography, and isolation of CUI processing.

Confirm the requirement is in scope for the CUI system components, services, users, and external connections being assessed.
Resolve every organization-defined parameter through an approved governance and tailoring process.
Map each clause of the requirement to an accountable owner, implementation mechanism, and evidence source.
Verify that inherited and shared implementations are supported by current provider evidence and responsibility boundaries.
Collect evidence during normal operation and review changes, exceptions, and deficiencies on a risk-based cadence.

Questions to ask

Which CUI assets, data flows, users, and services are protected by this requirement?
Which portions are implemented locally, inherited, shared, or not applicable, and what evidence supports that determination?
Do the system security plan, deployed configuration, operating process, and assessment evidence tell the same story?
What change, incident, or threshold should trigger reassessment?

Evidence and validation

network and trust-boundary diagrams
firewall and gateway configurations
cryptographic configuration and key records
segmentation and isolation test results

Common failure patterns

diagrams omitting cloud and third-party paths
encryption enabled without key governance
flat trust zones permitting unnecessary lateral movement
boundary rules accumulating without owner review

Official NIST SP 800-171A content

Assessment objectives and methods

Assessment objectives (2)

a.
the remote activation of collaborative computing devices and applications is prohibited with the following exceptions: [Organization-defined: exceptions].
b.
an explicit indication of use is provided to users who are physically present at the devices.

Examine

system and communications protection policy and procedures
procedures for collaborative computing
access control policy and procedures
system configuration settings
system design documentation
system audit records
system security plan
other relevant documents or records

Interview

personnel with responsibilities for managing collaborative computing devices
personnel with information security responsibilities
system developers
system administrators

Test

mechanisms for supporting or implementing the management of remote activation of collaborative computing devices
mechanisms for providing an indication of use of collaborative computing devices

Official source-control relationships

Source NIST SP 800-53 controls

These controls are referenced by the official SP 800-171 Rev. 3 OSCAL record. Open the corresponding control pages for complete control text, enhancements, D3FEND mappings, and related learning.

Source controlSC-15Open SP 800-53 control →

Source record

Authoritative sources

Bare Metal Cyber is an independent educational publisher and is not affiliated with or endorsed by NIST. The official publications, the responsible federal agency, and the governing contract or agreement determine applicability, tailoring, assessment depth, and required implementation.