NIST 800-53 REV 5 • MAINTENANCE
MA-1 — Policy and Procedures
Develop, document, and disseminate to {{ insert: param, ma-1_prm_1 }}: {{ insert: param, ma-01_odp.03 }} maintenance policy that: Procedures to facilitate the implementation of the maintenance policy and the associated maintenance controls; Designate an {{ insert: param, ma-01_odp.04 }} to manage the development, documentation, and dissemination of the maintenance policy and procedures; and Review and update the current maintenance: Policy {{ insert: param, ma-01_odp.05 }} and following {{ insert: param, ma-01_odp.06 }} ; and Procedures {{ insert: param, ma-01_odp.07 }} and following {{ insert: param, ma-01_odp.08 }}.
Supplemental Guidance
Maintenance policy and procedures address the controls in the MA 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 maintenance 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 maintenance policy and procedures 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 maintenance policy and procedures. Your policy should describe how system maintenance is authorized, performed, and tracked — covering both routine upkeep and emergency repairs.
Example 1: Create a System Maintenance Policy document in SharePoint that defines who can perform maintenance, what approvals are needed, how maintenance windows are scheduled, and what records must be kept. Include both on-site and remote maintenance procedures. Review it annually.
Example 2: Use a change management system like ServiceNow or Jira Service Management to enforce maintenance procedures. Require a change request ticket for all planned maintenance with approval workflows. Store your policy and procedures in a compliance library that all IT staff can access.