NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5 Controls

Overview

AegisShield implements 15 NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5 security controls across 6 control families, demonstrating compliance with federal cybersecurity standards and best practices for secure system development.

Implementation Coverage: 100% of identified applicable controlsControl Families: 6 families implementedEnhancement Controls: IA-5(1), SC-12(2)

Control Families

AegisShield’s security controls span across multiple families:

Access Control (AC)

1 control implementedAPI key validation and access enforcement

Identification & Authentication (IA)

2 controls implementedSecure authenticator management

System & Communications Protection (SC)

2 controls implementedBoundary protection and cryptographic key management

System & Information Integrity (SI)

3 controls implementedMonitoring, error handling, and vulnerability assessment

Audit & Accountability (AU)

4 controls implementedComprehensive logging and audit capabilities

Risk Assessment (RA)

2 controls implementedVulnerability scanning and threat intelligence

Control Implementations

Access Control (AC)

AC-3: Access Enforcement

control_family

string

default:"Access Control"

Access Control family

implementation_status

string

default:"implemented"

Fully implemented

primary_file

string

default:"api_key_handler.py"

Primary implementation location

DescriptionValidates API keys before granting access to external services (OpenAI, NVD, AlienVault OTX)Implementation Details

API key validation and access control enforcement
Password-type input validation
Session state management
Error messages for missing credentials

Code Evidence

# api_key_handler.py:73
# NIST AC-3: Access enforcement through credential validation

# api_key_handler.py:82
# NIST AC-3: Enforce access control through authenticator validation

Assessment Methods: Examine, Interview, Test

Identification and Authentication (IA)

IA-2: Identification and Authentication (Organizational Users)

control_family

string

default:"Identification and Authentication"

IA family

implementation_status

string

default:"implemented"

Fully implemented

primary_file

string

default:"api_key_handler.py"

Primary implementation location

DescriptionManages authentication credentials for external threat intelligence and AI servicesImplementation Details

Authentication to external services via API keys
Support for OpenAI, NVD, and AlienVault OTX
API key management system
Secure credential storage
Service authentication

Code Evidence

# api_key_handler.py:8
# IA-2 (Identification and Authentication): 
# Authentication to external services

Assessment Methods: Examine, Interview, Test

IA-5: Authenticator Management

control_family

string

default:"Identification and Authentication"

IA family

implementation_status

string

default:"implemented"

Fully implemented with IA-5(1) enhancement

primary_file

string

default:"api_key_handler.py"

Primary implementation location

DescriptionSecure API key management and storage using Streamlit secrets, password-type input fields, and session-based credential managementImplementation Details

IA-5(1): Password-Based Authentication
Streamlit secrets integration
Password-type input masking
Session credential management
Secure storage and retrieval of authenticators
Masked input for sensitive authenticator data

Code Evidence

# api_key_handler.py:4, 15, 20, 72, 78
# IA-5 (Authenticator Management): API key management and secure storage
# IA-5(1): Authenticator Management | Password-Based Authentication
# NIST IA-5(1): Secure storage and retrieval of authenticators
# NIST IA-5(1): Masked input for sensitive authenticator data
# NIST IA-5(1): Obscure display of authenticators

Assessment Methods: Examine, Interview, Test

System and Communications Protection (SC)

SC-7: Boundary Protection

control_family

string

default:"System and Communications Protection"

SC family

implementation_status

string

default:"implemented"

Fully implemented

primary_file

string

default:"nvd_search.py"

Primary implementation location

DescriptionResilient communication with external threat intelligence sources, retry mechanisms for network failures, secure API endpointsImplementation Details

Secure external API communications
Retry mechanisms and failure handling
HTTP error handling
Timeout management
Exponential backoff retry logic
Resilient external API communication
Secure NVD and OTX API communication

Code Evidence

# nvd_search.py:13, 37, 128
# SC-7 (Boundary Protection): External API communication security
# SC-7: Boundary Protection - Resilient external API communication
# SC-7: Boundary Protection - Secure NVD API communication

# alientvault_search.py:14, 69
# SC-7 (Boundary Protection): Secure external threat intelligence API communication
# SC-7: Boundary Protection - Secure API communication with threat intelligence provider

Assessment Methods: Examine, Interview, Test

SC-12: Cryptographic Key Establishment and Management

control_family

string

default:"System and Communications Protection"

SC family

implementation_status

string

default:"implemented"

Fully implemented with SC-12(2) enhancement

primary_file

string

default:"api_key_handler.py"

Primary implementation location

DescriptionManagement of cryptographic keys for external service authenticationImplementation Details

SC-12(2): Symmetric Keys implementation
API key lifecycle management
API key storage and retrieval
Session management systems

Code Evidence

# api_key_handler.py:5, 16
# SC-12 (Cryptographic Key Establishment and Management): Key lifecycle management
# SC-12(2): Cryptographic Key Establishment | Symmetric Keys

Assessment Methods: Examine, Interview

System and Information Integrity (SI)

SI-4: Information System Monitoring

control_family

string

default:"System and Information Integrity"

SI family

implementation_status

string

default:"implemented"

Fully implemented

primary_file

string

default:"nvd_search.py"

Primary implementation location

DescriptionContinuous vulnerability monitoring via NVD, external threat intelligence monitoring via AlienVault OTX, connection failure monitoring and loggingImplementation Details

Continuous monitoring and threat intelligence collection
NVD vulnerability monitoring
OTX threat intelligence collection
Connection monitoring logs

Code Evidence

# nvd_search.py:15, 38
# SI-4 (Information System Monitoring): Continuous vulnerability monitoring
# SI-4: Information System Monitoring - Connection failure monitoring

# alientvault_search.py:11, 66
# SI-4 (Information System Monitoring): Continuous threat intelligence monitoring
# SI-4: Information System Monitoring - External threat intelligence collection

Assessment Methods: Examine, Interview, Test

SI-7: Software, Firmware, and Information Integrity

control_family

string

default:"System and Information Integrity"

SI family

implementation_status

string

default:"implemented"

Fully implemented

primary_file

string

default:"nvd_search.py"

Primary implementation location

DescriptionAutomated vulnerability identification for software components, technology version vulnerability analysis, CVE-based integrity assessmentImplementation Details

Vulnerability assessment and software integrity monitoring
CVE database integration
Software version tracking
Vulnerability assessment reports
Technology version vulnerability analysis

Code Evidence

# nvd_search.py:11, 126
# SI-7 (Software, Firmware, and Information Integrity): 
# Vulnerability assessment and monitoring
# SI-7: Software Integrity - Technology version vulnerability analysis

Assessment Methods: Examine, Interview, Test

SI-11: Error Handling

control_family

string

default:"System and Information Integrity"

SI family

implementation_status

string

default:"implemented"

Fully implemented

primary_file

string

default:"error_handler.py"

Primary implementation location

DescriptionCentralized exception management, user-friendly error messages without sensitive data exposure, comprehensive error capture and loggingImplementation Details

Complete error handling framework
Centralized error handling system
Sanitized user messages
Comprehensive error logging
User-friendly error messages without sensitive details

Code Evidence

# error_handler.py:14, 53, 82, 88, 97
# SI-11 (Error Handling): Systematic error handling and user notification
# SI-11: Error Handling - Comprehensive error capture and logging
# SI-11: Error Handling - User-friendly error messages without sensitive details
# NIST SI-11: Display sanitized error message to user (no sensitive data exposure)
# SI-11: Error Handling - Centralized exception management

Assessment Methods: Examine, Interview, Test

Audit and Accountability (AU)

AU-3: Content of Audit Records

control_family

string

default:"Audit and Accountability"

AU family

implementation_status

string

default:"implemented"

Fully implemented

primary_file

string

default:"error_handler.py"

Primary implementation location

DescriptionComplete error context and metadata capture, API interaction logging, vulnerability scan result logging, threat intelligence query loggingImplementation Details

Comprehensive logging with structured content
Structured log formats
Comprehensive metadata capture
Contextual error information
Complete error context and metadata

Code Evidence

# error_handler.py:10, 32, 50, 61, 98
# AU-3 (Content of Audit Records): Comprehensive logging with timestamps and context
# AU-3: Content of Audit Records - Structured logging format
# AU-3: Content of Audit Records - Complete error context and metadata
# NIST AU-3: Content of Audit Records - Structured log entry with context
# AU-3: Content of Audit Records - Complete exception context capture

# nvd_search.py:14, 39, 127
# AU-3 (Content of Audit Records): API interaction logging

# alientvault_search.py:15, 70
# AU-3 (Content of Audit Records): Threat intelligence query logging

Assessment Methods: Examine, Interview, Test

AU-4: Audit Storage Capacity

control_family

string

default:"Audit and Accountability"

AU family

implementation_status

string

default:"implemented"

Fully implemented

primary_file

string

default:"error_handler.py"

Primary implementation location

DescriptionAutomated log directory creation and file managementImplementation Details

Log file management and storage
Automatic directory creation
Log directory structure
File handler configuration
Storage management

Code Evidence

# error_handler.py:11, 33
# AU-4 (Audit Storage Capacity): Log file management and storage
# AU-4: Audit Storage Capacity - Log directory creation and management

Assessment Methods: Examine, Interview

AU-6: Audit Review, Analysis, and Reporting

control_family

string

default:"Audit and Accountability"

AU family

implementation_status

string

default:"implemented"

Fully implemented

primary_file

string

default:"error_handler.py"

Primary implementation location

DescriptionStructured log format for analysis, user notification as part of error handling, console output for immediate audit reviewImplementation Details

Error analysis and reporting capabilities
Console output for immediate review
Structured error formats
User notification system

Code Evidence

# error_handler.py:12, 52, 66, 83, 99
# AU-6 (Audit Review, Analysis, and Reporting): Error analysis and reporting
# AU-6: Audit Review - Structured format for analysis
# NIST AU-6: Write to console for immediate audit review
# AU-6: Audit Review - User notification as part of error handling process
# AU-6: Audit Review - Error logging for analysis

Assessment Methods: Examine, Interview, Test

AU-8: Time Stamps

control_family

string

default:"Audit and Accountability"

AU family

implementation_status

string

default:"implemented"

Fully implemented

primary_file

string

default:"error_handler.py"

Primary implementation location

DescriptionConsistent timestamp format for all audit records with precise timestamp generationImplementation Details

Precise timestamp generation for all logged events
Consistent timestamp formats
Datetime integration
Audit record timestamping

Code Evidence

# error_handler.py:13, 34, 51, 59
# AU-8 (Time Stamps): Timestamp generation for all logged events
# AU-8: Time Stamps - Timestamp format configuration
# AU-8: Time Stamps - Precise timestamp for each error event
# NIST AU-8: Time Stamps - Generate precise timestamp for audit record

Assessment Methods: Examine, Interview, Test

Risk Assessment (RA)

RA-3: Risk Assessment

control_family

string

default:"Risk Assessment"

RA family

implementation_status

string

default:"implemented"

Fully implemented

primary_file

string

default:"alientvault_search.py"

Primary implementation location

DescriptionIndustry-specific threat intelligence collection to support risk assessment activitiesImplementation Details

Threat intelligence integration for risk analysis
Industry-specific threat intelligence queries
Risk-relevant data collection
Threat assessment integration

Code Evidence

# alientvault_search.py:12, 67
# RA-3 (Risk Assessment): Threat intelligence integration for risk analysis
# RA-3: Risk Assessment - Industry-specific threat intelligence for risk analysis

Assessment Methods: Examine, Interview, Test

RA-5: Vulnerability Scanning

control_family

string

default:"Risk Assessment"

RA family

implementation_status

string

default:"implemented"

Fully implemented

primary_file

string

default:"nvd_search.py"

Primary implementation location

DescriptionAutomated CVE discovery via NVD API, technology-specific vulnerability scanning, CVSS score-based vulnerability prioritizationImplementation Details

Automated vulnerability identification and assessment
NVD API integration
CVE database queries
CVSS scoring
Vulnerability prioritization

Code Evidence

# nvd_search.py:12, 125
# RA-5 (Vulnerability Scanning): Automated vulnerability identification via NVD
# RA-5: Vulnerability Scanning - Automated CVE discovery and assessment

Assessment Methods: Examine, Interview, Test

Program Management (PM)

PM-16: Threat Awareness Program

control_family

string

default:"Program Management"

PM family

implementation_status

string

default:"implemented"

Fully implemented

primary_file

string

default:"alientvault_search.py"

Primary implementation location

DescriptionStructured threat intelligence collection to support organizational threat awarenessImplementation Details

External threat intelligence consumption
Threat intelligence feeds
Structured data consumption
Organizational awareness capabilities

Code Evidence

# alientvault_search.py:13, 68
# PM-16 (Threat Awareness Program): External threat intelligence consumption
# PM-16: Threat Awareness Program - Structured threat intelligence consumption

Assessment Methods: Examine, Interview, Test

Control Implementation Matrix

Control Family	Control	Status	Primary Module
AC	AC-3	✅ Implemented	api_key_handler.py
IA	IA-2	✅ Implemented	api_key_handler.py
IA	IA-5	✅ Implemented	api_key_handler.py
SC	SC-7	✅ Implemented	nvd_search.py, alientvault_search.py
SC	SC-12	✅ Implemented	api_key_handler.py
SI	SI-4	✅ Implemented	nvd_search.py, alientvault_search.py
SI	SI-7	✅ Implemented	nvd_search.py
SI	SI-11	✅ Implemented	error_handler.py
AU	AU-3	✅ Implemented	error_handler.py, nvd_search.py, alientvault_search.py
AU	AU-4	✅ Implemented	error_handler.py
AU	AU-6	✅ Implemented	error_handler.py
AU	AU-8	✅ Implemented	error_handler.py
RA	RA-3	✅ Implemented	alientvault_search.py
RA	RA-5	✅ Implemented	nvd_search.py
PM	PM-16	✅ Implemented	alientvault_search.py

Machine-Readable Mappings

AegisShield includes a comprehensive JSON mapping file for automated compliance integration:

{
  "metadata": {
    "application": "AegisShield Threat Modeler",
    "framework": "NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5",
    "total_controls": 15,
    "control_families": 6
  },
  "assessment_summary": {
    "total_controls_implemented": 15,
    "implementation_coverage": "100%",
    "compliance_frameworks_supported": ["FedRAMP", "FISMA"]
  }
}

The complete machine-readable control mapping is available in nist-sp-800-53-controls-mapping.json for integration with GRC tools.

Compliance Benefits

This implementation provides several compliance benefits:

Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP)

Many of these controls are required for FedRAMP compliance. AegisShield implements core security controls needed for federal cloud service authorization.

Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA)

Supports FISMA requirements for federal information systems with comprehensive audit trails and security control documentation.

NIST Cybersecurity Framework

Aligns with NIST Cybersecurity Framework categories: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover.

Industry Standards

Demonstrates security best practices for cybersecurity applications across healthcare, finance, and technology sectors.

Additional Controls Consideration

While AegisShield implements core security controls, organizations may want to consider additional controls based on their specific security requirements:

AC-2: Account Management (if multi-user capabilities are added)
AC-6: Least Privilege (for role-based access)
CM-2: Baseline Configuration (for infrastructure management)
CP-9: Information System Backup (for data protection)
IR-4: Incident Handling (for security incident response)

Documentation and Evidence

Audit Trail

All control implementations are documented directly in the source code with specific NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5 control references, providing clear traceability for compliance audits and assessments.

Maintenance and Updates

This mapping should be reviewed and updated whenever:

NIST Updates

New NIST SP 800-53 revisions are published

Functionality Changes

Application functionality is modified

Security Requirements

Security requirements change

Framework Updates

Compliance frameworks are updated

Get Started

Core Features

Threat Intelligence

Workflows

Compliance

NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5 Controls

Overview

Control Families

Access Control (AC)

Identification & Authentication (IA)

System & Communications Protection (SC)

System & Information Integrity (SI)

Audit & Accountability (AU)

Risk Assessment (RA)

Control Implementations

Access Control (AC)

Identification and Authentication (IA)

System and Communications Protection (SC)

System and Information Integrity (SI)

Audit and Accountability (AU)

Risk Assessment (RA)

Program Management (PM)

Control Implementation Matrix

Machine-Readable Mappings

Compliance Benefits

Additional Controls Consideration

Documentation and Evidence

Audit Trail

Maintenance and Updates

Build docs developers (and LLMs) love

Get Started

Core Features

Threat Intelligence

Workflows

Compliance

​Overview

​Control Families

Access Control (AC)

Identification & Authentication (IA)

System & Communications Protection (SC)

System & Information Integrity (SI)

Audit & Accountability (AU)

Risk Assessment (RA)

​Control Implementations

​Access Control (AC)

​Identification and Authentication (IA)

​System and Communications Protection (SC)

​System and Information Integrity (SI)

​Audit and Accountability (AU)

​Risk Assessment (RA)

​Program Management (PM)

​Control Implementation Matrix

​Machine-Readable Mappings

​Compliance Benefits

​Additional Controls Consideration

​Documentation and Evidence

Audit Trail

​Maintenance and Updates

Build docs developers (and LLMs) love

Overview

Control Families

Control Implementations

Access Control (AC)

Identification and Authentication (IA)

System and Communications Protection (SC)

System and Information Integrity (SI)

Audit and Accountability (AU)

Risk Assessment (RA)

Program Management (PM)

Control Implementation Matrix

Machine-Readable Mappings

Compliance Benefits

Additional Controls Consideration

Documentation and Evidence

Maintenance and Updates