Automated STIG Compliance Assessment via Native Shell Scripting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual and labor-intensive process of applying Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs) for assessing and mitigating cybersecurity vulnerabilities in DoD systems is time-consuming and inefficient, limiting the ability to fully analyze and remediate all vulnerabilities, thus compromising system integrity and accreditation.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a native command line shell to decrypt and execute scripted security guideline standards, allowing for automated evaluation and remediation of compliance status without requiring additional software installation, thereby reducing human intervention and increasing efficiency in assessing and mitigating cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual STIG assessment and mitigation processes are used, then security professionals can thoroughly evaluate each control, but the process becomes extremely time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automation where the assessment tool automatically executes STIG controls, collects system configuration data, and generates compliance reports without requiring manual intervention for each control check. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining thorough assessment coverage while eliminating the time-consuming manual evaluation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual process of reading and evaluating STIG controls with an automated computer-based system that electronically assesses compliance. This substitution maintains assessment precision while dramatically reducing the time required by replacing human analysts with automated scripting and data collection mechanisms.
2Reliability
If all STIG controls are manually assessed, then complete vulnerability coverage is achieved, but the workload becomes unmanageable for security professionals
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the assessment process into distinct automated components: data collection modules that gather system configuration information, evaluation modules that check each STIG control, and reporting modules that compile results. This segmentation enables complete vulnerability coverage across all controls while maintaining high productivity through parallel processing and automated workflows.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal automated assessment platform that can evaluate multiple STIG controls across different system types and configurations using a single toolset. This multi-functional system maintains comprehensive vulnerability coverage while dramatically increasing productivity by eliminating the need for separate manual assessment processes for each control.
3Productivity
If automated tools are introduced to reduce manual effort, then assessment speed increases, but system complexity and deployment requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary automated assessment tool that acts as a bridge between security professionals and STIG compliance requirements. This intermediary maintains high assessment speed through automation while reducing the perceived complexity for end users by providing a unified, easy-to-deploy interface that handles the complex evaluation logic internally.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for determining a point in time compliance status of a computing system with a security guideline standard (SGS) wherein the computing system has a command line shell available through a native operating system, the method comprising inputting into a host computer of the computing system a SGS package that represents a scripted SGS that is a non-text file and is encrypted that provides instructions for an evaluation of a computing system's compliance with the SGS under consideration wherein the SGS package performs at least a portion of an automated evaluation of a compliance status at the point in time of the computing system under consideration when the SGS package is decrypted by the computing system; sending a command query from the decrypted SGS package to the selected device of the computer system; compiling in a locally hosted database of the host computer compliance results sent from the selected device of the computing system in response to the command query from the decrypted SGS package that is applicable for the selected device; and generating a report for the compliance results of the selected device with the SGS package that is applicable.