DCSA Accreditation TTP Guide for Defense Industrial Base (DIB)
Comprehensive tactics, techniques, and procedures for achieving DCSA accreditation
Executive Summary
This Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTP) document provides Defense Industrial Base (DIB) organizations with a comprehensive guide for achieving DCSA accreditation across different system types. The guide is structured around the DCSA Data and Application Protection Manual (DAAPM) requirements and organized by system classification levels.
Purpose
Guide DIB organizations through DCSA accreditation process
Scope
MUSA, SUSA, Classified LAN, UWAN, and eWAN systems
Authority
DCSA DAAPM and applicable security control overlays
System Classification Framework
| System Type | Definition | Primary Use Case | Security Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUSA | Multi-User Stand-Alone | Multi-user systems processing classified data | SECRET/CONFIDENTIAL |
| SUSA | Single-User Stand-Alone | Single-user systems processing classified data | SECRET/CONFIDENTIAL |
| Classified LAN | Classified Local Area Network | Local network processing classified data | SECRET/CONFIDENTIAL |
| UWAN | Unclassified Wide Area Network | Unclassified network connectivity | CUI/UNCLASSIFIED |
| eWAN | Encrypted Wide Area Network | Encrypted network for sensitive data | CUI/CONTROLLED |
MUSA (Multi-User Stand-Alone) Requirements
System Characteristics
- Multi-user system not connected to external networks
- Classification Level: Up to SECRET
- Multiple users with varying access levels
- Network Connectivity: None (air-gapped)
Physical Security (PE Family)
Required Controls:
- • PE-2: Physical access authorizations
- • PE-3: Physical access control
- • PE-6: Monitoring physical access
- • PE-8: Visitor access records
- • PE-12: Emergency lighting
- • PE-13: Fire protection
Implementation Requirements:
- • Secure room/facility meeting ICD 705 standards
- • Two-person integrity for SECRET systems
- • Controlled access with card readers and biometric authentication
- • CCTV monitoring with 90-day retention
- • Intrusion detection systems
- • Environmental controls (temperature, humidity)
Required Artifacts:
- • Physical security plan
- • Facility certification documentation
- • Access control matrix
- • Visitor access logs
- • Environmental monitoring reports
- • Physical security assessment reports
Access Control (AC Family)
Required Controls:
- • AC-1: Access control policy and procedures
- • AC-2: Account management
- • AC-3: Access enforcement
- • AC-6: Least privilege
- • AC-7: Unsuccessful logon attempts
- • AC-11: Session lock
- • AC-12: Session termination
Implementation Requirements:
- • Role-based access control (RBAC) implementation
- • Multi-factor authentication for all users
- • Session timeout after 15 minutes of inactivity
- • Account lockout after 3 failed attempts
- • Privileged user monitoring
- • Regular access reviews (quarterly)
Required Artifacts:
- • Access control policy
- • User access matrix
- • Account provisioning procedures
- • Access review reports
- • Privileged user agreements
- • MFA implementation documentation
Identification and Authentication (IA Family)
Required Controls:
- • IA-1: Identification and authentication policy
- • IA-2: Identification and authentication (organizational users)
- • IA-4: Identifier management
- • IA-5: Authenticator management
- • IA-8: Identification and authentication (non-organizational users)
Implementation Requirements:
- • PKI certificates for user authentication
- • Smart card or CAC integration
- • Strong password policy (minimum 12 characters)
- • Certificate lifecycle management
- • Identity proofing procedures
Required Artifacts:
- • Identity management policy
- • PKI implementation guide
- • Password policy documentation
- • Certificate management procedures
- • Identity proofing checklists
Audit and Accountability (AU Family)
Required Controls:
- • AU-1: Audit and accountability policy
- • AU-2: Event logging
- • AU-3: Content of audit records
- • AU-6: Audit record review
- • AU-9: Protection of audit information
- • AU-12: Audit generation
Implementation Requirements:
- • Comprehensive audit logging for all security events
- • Centralized log management
- • Real-time log monitoring
- • Log retention for minimum 1 year
- • Audit log protection and integrity
- • Regular log review and analysis
Required Artifacts:
- • Audit policy and procedures
- • Audit logging configuration
- • Log review procedures
- • Audit log retention schedules
- • Log analysis reports
SUSA (Single-User Stand-Alone) Requirements
System Characteristics
- Single-user system processing classified information
- Classification Level: Up to SECRET
- Single authorized user
- Network Connectivity: None (air-gapped)
System and Information Integrity (SI Family)
Implementation Requirements:
- • Antivirus with current signatures
- • Regular security updates and patches
- • File integrity monitoring
- • Application whitelisting
- • Secure boot implementation
- • Host-based intrusion detection
Required Artifacts:
- • System integrity policy
- • Patch management procedures
- • Antivirus deployment guide
- • File integrity monitoring reports
- • Application whitelist documentation
Media Protection (MP Family)
Implementation Requirements:
- • Classified media handling procedures
- • Media marking and labeling
- • Secure storage requirements
- • Media transport procedures
- • Sanitization and destruction procedures
- • Media accountability system
Required Artifacts:
- • Media protection policy
- • Media handling procedures
- • Sanitization certificates
- • Media inventory logs
- • Transport documentation
DCSA Accreditation Process
Phase 1: Pre-Assessment (Months 1-3)
Required Deliverables:
- • System Security Plan (SSP)
- • Security Control Assessment Plan (SCAP)
- • Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M)
- • Risk Assessment Report
- • Security Architecture Documentation
Key Activities:
- • Gap analysis against DCSA requirements
- • Security control implementation
- • Documentation development
- • Staff training and awareness
- • Initial vulnerability assessment
Phase 2: Assessment (Months 4-6)
Assessment Activities:
- • Control implementation verification
- • Technical testing and validation
- • Documentation review
- • Interview with key personnel
- • Penetration testing (if required)
Assessment Deliverables:
- • Security Assessment Report (SAR)
- • Risk Assessment Update
- • POA&M Updates
- • Technical findings report
- • Recommendations report
Phase 3: Authorization (Months 7-9)
Authorization Activities:
- • Risk analysis review
- • Mitigation strategy development
- • Residual risk assessment
- • Authorization decision preparation
- • Continuous monitoring plan
Authorization Deliverables:
- • Authorization to Operate (ATO)
- • Risk acceptance memorandum
- • Continuous monitoring strategy
- • Security control monitoring plan
- • Incident response procedures
Phase 4: Continuous Monitoring (Ongoing)
Ongoing Requirements:
- • Monthly security status reports
- • Quarterly security reviews
- • Annual security assessments
- • Incident reporting to DCSA
- • Change management processes
Implementation Checklist
Pre-Implementation Phase
- □ Conduct gap analysis against DCSA requirements
- □ Develop implementation timeline
- □ Identify resource requirements
- □ Establish project team
- □ Engage with DCSA representatives
Implementation Phase
- □ Implement technical security controls
- □ Develop security documentation
- □ Conduct security testing
- □ Train personnel
- □ Establish monitoring capabilities
Assessment Phase
- □ Schedule security assessment
- □ Prepare assessment artifacts
- □ Conduct assessment activities
- □ Address assessment findings
- □ Prepare authorization package
Authorization Phase
- □ Submit authorization package
- □ Address authorization questions
- □ Obtain authorization decision
- □ Implement continuous monitoring
- □ Maintain security posture
Key Success Factors
Organizational Commitment
- • Senior leadership support
- • Adequate resource allocation
- • Clear roles and responsibilities
- • Regular progress monitoring
- • Continuous improvement culture
Technical Excellence
- • Robust security architecture
- • Comprehensive monitoring
- • Effective incident response
- • Regular security testing
- • Continuous vulnerability management
Documentation Quality
- • Complete and accurate documentation
- • Regular updates and reviews
- • Clear procedures and processes
- • Comprehensive training materials
- • Effective knowledge management
Stakeholder Engagement
- • Regular communication with DCSA
- • Effective vendor management
- • Strong internal collaboration
- • Clear escalation procedures
- • Continuous feedback loops
Conclusion
Achieving DCSA accreditation requires a comprehensive approach to security that addresses technical, operational, and management controls. This TTP provides a roadmap for DIB organizations to successfully navigate the accreditation process while maintaining strong security posture.
Success depends on careful planning, adequate resources, and continuous commitment to security excellence. Organizations should view accreditation not as a one-time event but as part of an ongoing security program that protects both organizational assets and national security interests.
Regular review and updates of this TTP ensure alignment with evolving DCSA requirements and emerging threat landscapes. Organizations are encouraged to maintain active engagement with DCSA throughout the accreditation lifecycle.