# SA-05 System Documentation — NIST 800-53 Rev5 control

> FedRAMP Consolidated Rules for 2026 v2026.07.14.01 · updated 2026-07-14
> Canonical page: /control/sa-5

Canonical id: `sa-5` · family `SA`

> a. Obtain or develop administrator documentation for the system, system component, or system service that describes: 1. Secure configuration, installation, and operation of the system, component, or service; 2. Effective use and maintenance of security and privacy functions and mechanisms; and 3. Known vulnerabilities regarding configuration and use of administrative or privileged functions; b. Obtain or develop user documentation for the system, system component, or system service that describes: 1. User-accessible security and privacy functions and mechanisms and how to effectively use those functions and mechanisms; 2. Methods for user interaction, which enables individuals to use the system, component, or service in a more secure manner and protect individual privacy; and 3. User responsibilities in maintaining the security of the system, component, or service and privacy of individuals; c. Document attempts to obtain system, system component, or system service documentation when such documentation is either unavailable or nonexistent and take [actions] in response; and d. Distribute documentation to [personnel or roles].

_Control title and statement: NIST SP 800-53 Rev5 catalog (the pinned commit is in `/api` under `control_text`). The FedRAMP rules reference these controls by id only; everything below is what FedRAMP says about this id._

## Rev5 baseline membership

- certification class B
- certification class C
- certification class D

## Key Security Indicators that reach it

- `KSI-SVC-ACM` — Automating Configuration Management (Service Configuration)
  The configuration of machine-based information resources is managed using automation and persistently reviewed for drift.

## FedRAMP guidance

{
  "guidance": [
    "Follow the FedRAMP Secure Configuration Guide rules."
  ]
}