SA-5.2: Protection from Malicious Software

What this means

SA-5.2 mandates that covered entities and business associates implement comprehensive safeguards against malicious code, including viruses, worms, ransomware, and spyware. This control requires documented procedures that cover prevention (endpoint protection, network monitoring), detection (real-time scanning, log analysis), and response (incident reporting, containment protocols). Your organization must monitor systems for suspicious activity, maintain updated threat definitions, and ensure all workforce members understand their role in identifying and reporting potential malware incidents.

How to comply

1. 1.Deploy and maintain anti-malware software on all endpoints, servers, and network devices with current threat definitions
2. 2.Establish written policies defining procedures for detecting, reporting, and responding to malicious software incidents
3. 3.Implement real-time monitoring and automated alerts for suspicious file activity, unauthorized code execution, and network anomalies
4. 4.Conduct regular malware scans across all systems and document results as audit evidence
5. 5.Restrict software installation to authorized applications only through whitelisting or application control mechanisms
6. 6.Provide workforce training on recognizing and reporting suspicious emails, downloads, and system behavior
7. 7.Maintain incident logs documenting all malware detections, false positives, and remediation actions taken
8. 8.Review and update anti-malware configurations quarterly to address emerging threats
9. 9.Isolate or disconnect infected systems immediately to prevent lateral movement and data exfiltration

Evidence auditors look for

• Anti-malware deployment logs showing installation and configuration across all systems
• Threat definition update records with dates and version numbers
• Real-time scanning reports with detection counts and remediation timestamps
• Written malware incident response procedures and employee acknowledgment records
• Quarantine logs showing detected malware and containment actions
• Training attendance records for malicious software awareness modules
• System configuration screenshots proving application whitelisting is enabled
• Monthly or quarterly malware scan summary reports with zero-day protection status
• Incident tickets documenting malware detection, investigation, and resolution

Frequently asked questions

GRCWatch automates malware control evidence collection by integrating with your anti-malware and endpoint tools to continuously log scan results, threat definitions, and remediation actions—eliminating manual audit preparation for SA-5.2.

See how GRCWatch handles this control automatically

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