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NIST SP 800-53 Learning Center

AT-6 — Training Feedback

Read the official control and assessment content, then use the separately labeled Bare Metal Cyber perspective to connect the requirement to implementation, evidence, and sustained operation.

0Enhancements
2Parameters
0Baseline memberships
3Assessment methods

AT — Awareness and Training · NIST SP 800-53 Release 5.2.0

Official NIST control content

Control statement

Provide feedback on organizational training results to the following personnel [Organization-defined: frequency]: [Organization-defined: personnel].

Official NIST discussion

Discussion

Training feedback includes awareness training results and role-based training results. Training results, especially failures of personnel in critical roles, can be indicative of a potentially serious problem. Therefore, it is important that senior managers are made aware of such situations so that they can take appropriate response actions. Training feedback supports the evaluation and update of organizational training described in [AT-2b](#at-2_smt.b) and [AT-3b](#at-3_smt.b).

Official OSCAL parameters

Organization-defined parameters

These values must be resolved through the organization’s tailoring and governance process. Bracketed parameter references in the control text identify where a decision is required.

frequencyfrequency at which to provide feedback on organizational training results is defined;
personnelpersonnel to whom feedback on organizational training results will be provided is/are assigned;
Original Bare Metal Cyber perspective

From control text to operational evidence

Use Training Feedback as a testable risk decision. Translate the official statement into accountable people, repeatable processes, configured technology, and evidence that demonstrates the outcome over time. In this family, pay particular attention to role-based knowledge, behavior, awareness, and measurable workforce readiness.

Implementation workflow

  • Define the control boundary, responsible owner, inherited portions, and systems or processes in scope.
  • Resolve each organization-defined parameter before declaring the control implemented.
  • Document how the implementation satisfies every clause of the official control statement.
  • Collect evidence as a normal byproduct of operation rather than only before an assessment.
  • Review exceptions, changes, and monitoring results on a risk-based cadence.

Evidence examples

  • training plans and role assignments
  • completion and attendance records
  • exercise results and lessons learned
  • training-content approval records

Common failure patterns

  • generic annual training with no role context
  • completion treated as proof of competence
  • contractors or privileged users omitted
  • training content not updated after incidents

Questions practitioners should ask

  • What risk decision is this control intended to support in this system?
  • Which parts are implemented locally, inherited, shared, or not applicable—and what evidence supports that decision?
  • Do the documented narrative, deployed configuration, operating process, and collected evidence agree?
  • What event or threshold requires the implementation to be reviewed or changed?
Official NIST SP 800-53A content

Assessment objectives and methods

Show the assessment objective

feedback on organizational training results is provided [Organization-defined: frequency] to [Organization-defined: personnel].

Examine

  • Security awareness and training policy
  • procedures addressing security training records
  • security awareness and training records
  • security plan
  • other relevant documents or records

Interview

  • Organizational personnel with information security training record retention responsibilities

Test

  • Mechanisms supporting the management of security training records
Source record

Authoritative sources