NIST 800-53 REV 5 • AWARENESS AND TRAINING
AT-1 — Policy and Procedures
Develop, document, and disseminate to {{ insert: param, at-1_prm_1 }}: {{ insert: param, at-01_odp.03 }} awareness and training policy that: Procedures to facilitate the implementation of the awareness and training policy and the associated awareness and training controls; Designate an {{ insert: param, at-01_odp.04 }} to manage the development, documentation, and dissemination of the awareness and training policy and procedures; and Review and update the current awareness and training: Policy {{ insert: param, at-01_odp.05 }} and following {{ insert: param, at-01_odp.06 }} ; and Procedures {{ insert: param, at-01_odp.07 }} and following {{ insert: param, at-01_odp.08 }}.
Supplemental Guidance
Awareness and training policy and procedures address the controls in the AT family that are implemented within systems and organizations. The risk management strategy is an important factor in establishing such policies and procedures. Policies and procedures contribute to security and privacy assurance. Therefore, it is important that security and privacy programs collaborate on the development of awareness and training policy and procedures. Security and privacy program policies and procedures at the organization level are preferable, in general, and may obviate the need for mission- or system-specific policies and procedures. The policy can be included as part of the general security and privacy policy or be represented by multiple policies that reflect the complex nature of organizations. Procedures can be established for security and privacy programs, for mission or business processes, and for systems, if needed. Procedures describe how the policies or controls are implemented and can be directed at the individual or role that is the object of the procedure. Procedures can be documented in system security and privacy plans or in one or more separate documents. Events that may precipitate an update to awareness and training policy and procedures include assessment or audit findings, security incidents or breaches, or changes in applicable laws, executive orders, directives, regulations, policies, standards, and guidelines. Simply restating controls does not constitute an organizational policy or procedure.
Practitioner Notes
This control requires a documented security awareness and training policy. Your organization needs a written plan covering who gets trained, on what, how often, and who is responsible for making it happen.
Example 1: Create a Security Awareness and Training Policy document that specifies: all employees complete general awareness training within 30 days of hire and annually thereafter, role-based training for IT and security staff within 60 days of assignment, and the ISSO is responsible for managing the training program. Store it in SharePoint with version control.
Example 2: Use a training platform like KnowBe4, Proofpoint Security Awareness, or the DoD Cyber Awareness Challenge (for defense contractors). Configure the platform to send automatic enrollment emails, track completion, and send reminders to non-completers. The ISSO reviews completion reports monthly.