Audit and Accountability (AU) Benchmark

The AU benchmark, in accordance with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) guidelines in revision 4 of the NIST 800-53 framework, emphasizes effective audit processes and accountability within an organization's information systems.

The AU benchmark aims to enable organizations to monitor information system activities, evaluate security control effectiveness, respond to security incidents, and comply with policies and regulations by implementing controls, policies, and strategies for auditing and accountability.

The audit process involves thorough examinations of data, processes, and activities in information systems to ensure security controls' efficacy. The goal is to identify vulnerabilities, weaknesses, or deviations from established policies and procedures.

Accountability focuses on tracking individuals' actions within information systems, verifying users' identities, assigning unique identifiers, monitoring activities through audit logs, and enforcing responsibility for actions taken.

Continuous monitoring is key in the AU benchmark, necessitating regular audit log reviews, automated mechanisms for data analysis, and incident response procedures to address vulnerabilities promptly.

Organizations need robust incident response procedures to handle security incidents promptly, and controls for protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of audit records in line with established retention policies.

Organizations can enhance compliance and security by automating audit log analysis, implementing incident response mechanisms, and prioritizing the principles outlined in the AU benchmark to bolster information system security and build trust with stakeholders.