SA-4(3)—Acquisition Process | Development Methods, Techniques, and Practices
>Control Description
>DoD Impact Level Requirements
No specific parameter values or requirements for this impact level.
>Discussion
Following a system development life cycle that includes state-of-the-practice software development methods, systems engineering methods, systems security and privacy engineering methods, and quality control processes helps to reduce the number and severity of latent errors within systems, system components, and system services. Reducing the number and severity of such errors reduces the number of vulnerabilities in those systems, components, and services. Transparency in the methods and techniques that developers select and implement for systems engineering, systems security and privacy engineering, software development, component and system assessments, and quality control processes provides an increased level of assurance in the trustworthiness of the system, system component, or system service being acquired.
>Assessment Interview Topics
Questions assessors commonly ask
Process & Governance:
- •What acquisition policies and procedures address the requirements of SA-4(3)?
- •How are security and privacy requirements integrated into the acquisition process?
- •Who is responsible for ensuring that acquisitions comply with SA-4(3)?
- •How is security integrated throughout your system development lifecycle (SDLC)?
Technical Implementation:
- •How are security requirements defined and documented in acquisition contracts?
- •What mechanisms ensure that acquired systems and services meet security requirements?
- •How do you validate that vendors and service providers comply with specified security controls?
- •What security practices are required at each phase of the SDLC?
- •What secure coding practices and standards are required for developers?
Evidence & Documentation:
- •Can you provide examples of acquisition documentation that includes security requirements?
- •What evidence demonstrates that acquired systems meet security specifications?
- •Where is acquisition security documentation maintained throughout the system lifecycle?
- •Can you show evidence of security activities performed during development?
- •Can you provide code review or static analysis results?
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