RMF Control AC-9: Previous Logon Notification is a cybersecurity control that helps to protect information systems by notifying users when their accounts were last used. This control is important because it can help users to identify and respond to unauthorized access to their accounts.
Previous Logon Notification Requirements
The RMF Control AC-9: Previous Logon Notification requirements are specified in NIST Special Publication 800-53, Revision 5. The requirements state that the organization must:
- Notify users, upon successful logon, of the date and time of their last successful logon;
- Provide users with the ability to customize how they are notified of their previous logon; and
- Monitor and audit previous logon notifications to identify and respond to suspicious activity.
Previous Logon Notification Best Practices
In addition to the RMF Control AC-9: Previous Logon Notification requirements, there are a number of best practices that organizations can follow to improve their previous logon notification posture. These best practices include:
- Implementing a variety of previous logon notification methods, such as email, SMS, and push notifications. This can help to ensure that users are notified of their previous logon even if they are not actively using their accounts.
- Allowing users to customize their previous logon notification settings. This can help to ensure that users receive notifications in a way that is convenient for them.
- Monitoring and auditing previous logon notifications for suspicious activity. This can help to identify unauthorized access to information systems and data.
- Educating users on the importance of previous logon notifications and how to interpret them. This can help users to identify and report suspicious activity.
Benefits of Previous Logon Notification
Previous logon notification can provide a number of benefits to organizations, including:
- Improved security posture: Previous logon notification can help to identify and respond to unauthorized access to information systems and data.
- Reduced risk of data breaches: Previous logon notification can help to reduce the risk of data breaches by detecting unauthorized access early.
- Increased user awareness: Previous logon notification can help to increase user awareness of security threats and how to protect their accounts.
- Improved compliance: Previous logon notification can help organizations to comply with a variety of security regulations.
How to Implement Previous Logon Notification
There are a number of ways to implement previous logon notification. One common approach is to use a security information and event management (SIEM) system. SIEM systems can collect and analyze log data from a variety of sources, including information systems, network devices, and security appliances. This data can then be used to generate previous logon notifications and alerts.
Another approach to implementing previous logon notification is to use a cloud-based service. There are a number of cloud-based services that offer previous logon notification capabilities. These services can be relatively easy to implement and use.
Example of Previous Logon Notification
One example of previous logon notification is when a user receives an email notification that their account was last used on a specific date and time. This notification can help the user to identify and respond to unauthorized access to their account.
Another example of previous logon notification is when a user receives a push notification on their mobile device that their account was last used. This notification can help the user to identify and respond to unauthorized access to their account even if they are not actively using their device.
Conclusion
RMF Control AC-9: Previous Logon Notification is an important cybersecurity control that helps to protect information systems by notifying users when their accounts were last used. By following the RMF Control AC-9: Previous Logon Notification requirements and best practices, organizations can help to improve their security posture, reduce the risk of data breaches, increase user awareness, and improve compliance.
Additional Tips for Implementing and Enforcing Previous Logon Notification
- Use a centralized authentication system to manage user accounts and previous logon notifications.
- Implement a multi-factor authentication (MFA) solution to add an extra layer of security to the logon process.
- Use a risk-based approach to previous logon notification. For example, you may want to notify users of all previous logons, or you may only want to notify users of previous logons from unknown locations or at unusual times.
- Educate users on the importance of reporting any suspicious previous logon notifications to their IT department.
By following these tips, organizations can help to ensure that their information systems are protected from unauthorized access and misuse.