LLMResponse CM.L2-3.4.6.b

Ranking of Evidence Types and Assessment Approaches for CM.L2-3.4.6 Objective [b]

Based on the CMMC Level 2 Assessment Guide and the information you've provided, I'll rank the evidence types and prioritize assessment approaches for assessment objective "[b] the system is configured to provide only the defined essential capabilities."

Evidence Type Ranking

1. **Artifacts** - This should be your highest priority evidence type as it demonstrates actual system configuration:

  - System configuration files showing disabled non-essential services
  - Scan results showing only essential ports/protocols are enabled 
  - System hardening reports showing removal of unnecessary components
  - Output from configuration management tools

2. **Screen Share** - This provides direct observation of actual system configurations:

  - Live demonstration of system configurations showing only essential capabilities
  - Real-time display of running services and processes
  - Observation of security tools showing configuration compliance
  - Visual verification of disabled ports/protocols

3. **Physical Review** - For some systems, physical inspection may provide valuable evidence:

  - On-site inspection of systems to verify configurations
  - Review of physical security measures that limit functionality
  - Visual confirmation of hardware configurations

4. **Documents** - While important, documents alone don't prove implementation:

  - System configuration standards showing required settings
  - Change management records showing removal of non-essential capabilities
  - Baseline configuration documentation
  - System hardening guidelines

Assessment Approach Prioritization

1. **Test**

  This should be your primary approach since the assessment objective focuses on actual implementation. Testing directly verifies that systems are configured correctly, not just documented correctly.

  The most important assessment objects would be:
  - Mechanisms implementing restrictions on functions, ports, and protocols
  - Tools showing current system configurations
  - Security scanning results demonstrating least functionality principles

2. **Examine**

  Use examination as your secondary approach to verify that configurations align with organizational requirements:
  - System configuration settings and associated documentation
  - Security configuration checklists (completed)
  - System audit logs showing disabled features
  - Configuration management records

3. **Interview**

  Interviews provide context and confirmation but are less valuable than direct testing:
  - System administrators who implement system configurations
  - Security personnel who verify compliance
  - IT staff responsible for maintaining configurations

For assessment objective [b], direct verification through testing is critical because it confirms that systems are actually configured as required, not just documented that way. Unlike objective [a] which focuses on definitions, objective [b] requires proof of implementation.

The combination of these approaches will demonstrate that your systems are not only designed for least functionality but are actually configured to provide only the essential capabilities needed for operation - a key requirement of CM.L2-3.4.6.