Ensuring firewall, intrusion, and prevention systems are in compliance
Rule Title: RiOS must be configured to ensure inbound and outbound traffic is forwarded to be inspected by the firewall and IDPS in compliance with remote access security policies.
STIG ID: RICX-AG-000037
Rule ID: SV-77303r1_rule Severity: CAT II
Vuln ID: V-62813 Class: Unclass
Automated monitoring of remote access traffic allows organizations to detect cyberattacks and also ensure ongoing compliance with remote access policies by inspecting connection activities of remote access capabilities.
Remote access methods include both unencrypted and encrypted traffic. Inbound traffic must be inspected prior to being allowed on the enclave's trusted networks. Outbound traffic inspection must occur prior to being forwarded to destinations outside of the enclave.
Optimally, the SteelHead must be architecturally placed at the perimeter of the network in front of the perimeter router. Thus, traffic is directed for firewall and IDPS inspection for inbound and outbound traffic in compliance with DoD policy. Additionally, from an operational perspective, this architecture avoids the need to open many ports and services in the firewall to accommodate TCP options 76 and 78 and ports 7800, 7810, and 7870. Some other configurations might involve even more ports and services.
Verifying SteelHead placement for firewall and IDPS security requirements
Inspect the architectural placement of the device. Verify the traffic from the device is directed to the firewall and intrusion detection system (IDS) or intrusion prevention system (IPS) for inspection.
If RiOS is not configured to ensure inbound and outbound traffic is forwarded to be inspected by the firewall and IDPS in compliance with remote access security policies, this is a security vulnerability finding.
Deploying SteelHeads for firewall and IDPS security requirements
Architecturally place the SteelHead device to avoid the need to open TCP ports in the firewall. The best practice for the SteelHead appliance is to install it at the perimeter of the network in front of the perimeter router configure it to direct traffic to the router. Thus, inbound and outbound traffic is forwarded to be inspected by the firewall and IDPS in compliance with remote access security policies.