NIST 800-53 Compliance
EXT-07Critical

Detect External Mail Forwarding for NIST 800-53 Compliance

Learn how EXT-07 helps you meet NIST 800-53 requirements for Microsoft 365 and Entra ID security.

Organizations pursuing NIST 800-53 compliance need to address detect external mail forwarding as part of their security program. The EXT-07 control maps directly to NIST 800-53 requirements, helping demonstrate compliance while strengthening your security posture.

How EXT-07 Addresses NIST 800-53 Requirements

NIST 800-53 requires organizations to implement controls around detect external mail forwarding. The EXT-07 control provides:

  • Mailbox forwarding rules to external addresses are identified
  • Inbox rules forwarding to external domains are flagged
  • No unexpected external forwarding rules exist

These measures directly support NIST 800-53 compliance by ensuring proper external security in your Microsoft 365 environment.

Implementation for Compliance

To satisfy NIST 800-53 requirements with this control:

  • **Enable the control** - Follow the manual configuration steps
  • **Document your implementation** - Record how the control was configured
  • **Maintain evidence** - TrueConfig automatically logs compliance status
  • **Monitor continuously** - Track any deviations from the expected state

Evidence Collection

For NIST 800-53 audits, you'll need to demonstrate:

  • Current configuration state
  • Historical compliance data
  • Remediation actions taken
  • Continuous monitoring in place

TrueConfig provides all of this evidence through its audit trail and reporting features.

Why This Control Matters for NIST 800-53

Attackers commonly set up mail forwarding rules after compromising accounts. These rules silently copy all emails to external addresses, enabling ongoing data theft even after the initial compromise is remediated.

Implementing EXT-07 is an important step toward NIST 800-53 compliance. Combined with TrueConfig's continuous monitoring, you can demonstrate ongoing adherence to NIST 800-53 requirements.

Ready to achieve NIST 800-53 compliance?

TrueConfig continuously monitors your Microsoft 365 tenant for compliance with NIST 800-53 requirements, including this control.