# NIST 800-171 3.1.15 Authorize remote execution of privileged commands and remote access to security-relevant information.

- Source: https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/articles/62000229250-nist-800-171-3-1-15-authorize-remote-execution-of-privileged-commands-and-remote-access-to-security-r
- Section: [Solutions](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions) › [NIST](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/62000112528) › [800-171](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/folders/62000168440)
- Last updated: 2026-05-29
- Publisher: iCompaas, Inc. (https://www.icompaas.com)

**Description:** 

A privileged command is a human-initiated (interactively or via a process operating on behalf of the human) command executed on a system involving the control, monitoring, or administration of the system including security functions and associated security-relevant information. Security-relevant information is any information within the system that can potentially impact the operation of security functions or the provision of security services in a manner that could result in failure to enforce the system security policy or maintain isolation of code and data. Privileged commands give individuals the ability to execute sensitive, security-critical, or security-relevant system functions. Controlling such access from remote locations helps to ensure that unauthorized individuals are not able to execute such commands freely with the potential to do serious or catastrophic damage to organizational systems. Note that the ability to affect the integrity of the system is considered security-relevant as that could enable the means to by-pass security functions although not directly impacting the function itself. 

  

**Priority:** High 

  

**Category: Personnel Security**

  

**Services Associated with AWS:** 

-   AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM), AWS Systems Manager, AWS CloudFormation
-   AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM), AWS Systems Manager, AWS CloudWatch Logs  
    

  

**Objective Evidence:** 

-   Administrative: documented policies, standards & procedures 
-   Administrative: supporting documentation to demonstrate how Role Based Access Control (RBAC) is properly & securely implemented Administrative: supporting documentation of role-based security training being performed 
-   Technical: screen shot of groups and membership assignment  
    

  

**Possible Technology Considerations:** 

-   **VPN Concentrator Access Control List (ACL) Network Intrusion Prevention System (NIPS) Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)** 

  

**What needs to be answered:** 

Is remote access for privileged actions only permitted for necessary functions? It should be documented what these 

functions are and why it is necessary they are permitted. 

  

-   Authorize Remote Execution of Privileged Commands  
    Description: This check ensures that remote execution of privileged commands is authorized and controlled. Privileged commands involve the control, monitoring, or administration of the system, including security functions and security-relevant information.
-    Enable Remote Access to Security-Relevant Information  
    Description: This check verifies that remote access to security-relevant information is enabled and appropriately controlled. Security-relevant information refers to any information within the system that can potentially impact the operation of security functions or the provision of security services. 

**More details:** Remove access controlled to allow only authorized administrators to perform privileged functions.

## Related compliance guidance

- [NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5: a practical implementation guide for cloud teams](https://support.icompaas.com/compliance/nist-sp-800-53-rev-5): How the 800-53 catalogue, baselines and the Risk Management Framework fit together, and which controls take the most work in the cloud.
- [NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC: a practical guide to protecting CUI in the cloud](https://support.icompaas.com/compliance/nist-sp-800-171-rev-3): If the driver is a DoD or federal contract handling CUI, 800-171 (and CMMC) is the scope you actually need.