SC-15(1): Physical or Logical Disconnect

SC-15(1) requires you to give users an easy way to physically or logically disconnect “collaborative computing devices” (for example, conferencing cameras, microphones, screen-sharing endpoints) so those devices cannot capture or transmit when not needed. Operationalize it by standardizing disconnect methods per device type, enforcing secure defaults, and keeping testable evidence that users can reliably disconnect without workarounds. ¹

Key takeaways:

• Provide a user-friendly disconnect method for collaborative devices (physical switch, software toggle, or equivalent) and make it consistent across the fleet. ¹
• Treat “ease of use” as an audit requirement: measure whether users can actually disconnect quickly and predictably without special access. ¹
• Evidence matters as much as design: retain standards, configurations, test results, and exception approvals tied to device inventory.

SC-15(1): Physical or Logical Disconnect is a deceptively small requirement that turns into real operational work once you inventory modern collaboration tech. “Collaborative computing devices” can include conference room systems, external webcams, headsets, smart displays, virtual meeting clients with peripheral controls, and integrated laptop camera/mic stacks. The control is about preventing unwanted collection or transmission by giving users a reliable way to disconnect device capabilities when not in use, without friction that drives risky workarounds.

For a CCO, GRC lead, or Compliance Officer, the fastest path is to convert SC-15(1) into three things: (1) a clear technical standard by device class, (2) a deployment and configuration procedure IT can follow, and (3) recurring evidence that the disconnect works and remains usable after updates. You do not need to over-engineer it. You do need consistency, documentation, and proof that the chosen disconnect method is practical for the people who use these devices daily. ²

Regulatory text

Excerpt: “Provide {{ insert: param, sc-15.01_odp }} disconnect of collaborative computing devices in a manner that supports ease of use.” ¹

What the operator must do

• Provide a disconnect capability for collaborative computing devices. That disconnect can be physical (for example, hardware shutter, mute switch, cable removal design) or logical (for example, software control that disables camera/mic/screen share at the endpoint). ¹
• Make the disconnect easy to use. In practice, “ease of use” means normal users can find it, activate it quickly, and confirm it worked without needing admin rights or obscure steps. ¹

Because the control text includes a parameter placeholder (“{{ insert: param, sc-15.01_odp }}”), your implementation should also document any organization-defined choices tied to that parameter (for example, what device categories are in scope, and what qualifies as an acceptable disconnect method in your environment). ¹

Plain-English interpretation (what SC-15(1) is really asking)

You must prevent “always-on” collaboration peripherals from becoming silent sensors. The requirement expects that when a camera, microphone, or collaboration endpoint is not needed, a user can disconnect it in a simple, repeatable way that stops capture/transmission. If your “disconnect” is so annoying that users avoid it, auditors will treat the control as weak even if a theoretical option exists.

Who it applies to

Entity scope

• Federal information systems and contractor systems handling federal data that implement NIST SP 800-53 controls (for example, in an authorization boundary). ¹

Operational context (where you’ll see it)

• Conference rooms and training rooms (room kits, mics, speakerbars, auto-framing cameras).
• End-user endpoints used for meetings (laptops, docking stations, external webcams/headsets).
• Secure spaces where collaboration devices are present but not always permitted to be active.

If your program includes third parties who manage conference room tech or provide managed collaboration services, this control becomes a third-party risk and contract enforcement issue too: you need the same disconnect requirements and evidence from them.

What you actually need to do (step-by-step)

1) Define “collaborative computing devices” for your environment

Create a scoped definition that your IT and audit teams will apply consistently. Minimum recommended device classes:

• Room conferencing endpoints (integrated camera/mic/speaker devices).
• External cameras and microphones used with PCs.
• Collaboration appliances connected to displays.

Output: a written scope statement plus a device class list mapped to your asset inventory fields.

2) Choose acceptable disconnect patterns by device class

Build a simple standard that answers: “What does ‘disconnect’ mean here?”

A practical decision matrix:

Device class	Preferred disconnect	Acceptable alternative	Not acceptable (common audit pushback)
Laptop built-in camera	Physical shutter (if present) + OS camera disable option	OS camera disable only, if user-visible and persistent	Hidden registry change requiring admin access
External webcam	Physical shutter or unplug	Software toggle that clearly indicates off state	“Cover it with tape” as the only method
Room kit / speakerbar	Dedicated mic mute + camera disable control on touch panel	Logical disable in management console plus local control	Only remote disable by admins; users can’t do it

Your standard should explicitly address user confirmation (LED indicators, UI state, on-device icon). “Ease of use” usually fails when users can’t tell whether a camera/mic is actually off.

3) Implement configuration baselines and deployment procedures

For each device class, document the exact implementation steps IT follows, such as:

• Enable local camera disable controls on room controllers (where supported).
• Configure default meeting behavior to require user action before enabling camera/mic.
• Ensure firmware and client settings preserve the ability to disconnect after updates.
• Restrict remote re-enable functions to authorized roles, and log changes.

Keep the procedure concrete: setting names, management platform locations, screenshots, and “expected state” checks. Auditors reward specificity because it reduces “tribal knowledge” risk.

4) Validate “ease of use” with a short usability test

You do not need a research program. You need proof that it works in the real environment:

• Ask typical users to disconnect camera and mic on representative devices.
• Confirm they can do it without elevated permissions.
• Confirm they can verify the off state.

Record results and remediation actions. If users routinely fail, the control is operationally weak even if technically present.

5) Put it under change control

SC-15(1) breaks quietly during:

• Collaboration platform upgrades,
• Room system firmware updates,
• Endpoint management policy changes,
• New device model rollouts.

Add a check to your change process: “Does this change preserve user-friendly physical/logical disconnect?” Tie it to release notes review and a regression test on at least one device per class.

6) Manage exceptions explicitly

You will have edge cases: legacy room systems, kiosks, or specialized collaboration devices with limited controls. Document:

• What’s missing,
• Compensating controls (for example, removal from sensitive rooms; physical disconnection when not used),
• Target replacement or remediation path,
• Risk acceptance approval.

Required evidence and artifacts to retain

Keep evidence that answers “what,” “how,” and “does it work”:

1. Device inventory extract showing collaborative device classes in scope (room systems, webcams, microphones).
2. SC-15(1) control implementation statement: scope, chosen disconnect methods by device class, roles/responsibilities.
3. Configuration standards/baselines for endpoints and room systems (policy settings, management console configs).
4. Screenshots or configuration exports demonstrating disconnect controls exist and are enabled.
5. Test records proving disconnect works and is user-operable (test scripts, results, tickets).
6. Training/job aids for users (one-page “how to disconnect camera/mic” by device type).
7. Exceptions register with approvals and compensating controls.

A simple way to keep this audit-ready is to map SC-15(1) to an owner, a procedure, and recurring evidence artifacts so the evidence set refreshes naturally. This is also where Daydream fits: use it to assign control ownership, collect recurring artifacts on a schedule, and show assessors a clean control-to-evidence trail without last-minute scrambles.

Common exam/audit questions and hangups

Expect assessors to probe these:

• “Show me how a normal user disconnects the camera and mic in this room.” They often ask for a live demo.
• “Is the disconnect local, or does it require admin access?” Admin-only toggles undercut “ease of use.”
• “Does the off state persist?” If a reboot or update re-enables devices by default, auditors may question effectiveness.
• “How do you ensure new room installs meet the standard?” They want procurement and deployment controls.
• “What’s your evidence for continued operation?” Point-in-time screenshots without ongoing testing can be challenged.

Frequent implementation mistakes (and how to avoid them)

1. Relying on policy text instead of a device-level standard.
   Fix: publish a device-class matrix with approved disconnect methods and “not acceptable” patterns.

2. Assuming the meeting app’s mute button is a disconnect.
   Fix: distinguish “in-app mute” from endpoint/device-level disable where needed; document your chosen interpretation and how it prevents capture/transmission consistent with your environment. ¹

3. Remote-only controls.
   Fix: require a local, user-accessible method whenever feasible; document exceptions.

4. No usability validation.
   Fix: run lightweight user tests and keep the records. If users can’t find the control, redesign the standard or add job aids.

5. Ignoring third-party managed rooms.
   Fix: contractually require the same disconnect capability, evidence delivery, and change notification from the third party.

Enforcement context and risk implications

No public enforcement cases were provided in the source material for this requirement, so treat it as a control-assurance and authorization-readiness issue rather than a citation-driven enforcement topic. The practical risk is straightforward: if collaboration devices cannot be quickly and reliably disconnected, you increase the chance of unintended collection, transmission, or exposure of sensitive conversations and visuals, especially in regulated or mission environments. ¹

Practical execution plan (30/60/90)

You asked for fast operationalization; here is an execution plan you can run as a control owner. Timelines are expressed as phases, not calendar promises.

First 30 days (Immediate)

• Name a control owner (usually Endpoint Engineering or Unified Communications) and an evidence owner (GRC).
• Define in-scope “collaborative computing devices” and extract an initial inventory list.
• Draft the disconnect standard by device class (preferred method, acceptable alternatives, exceptions path).
• Select one representative device per class and document the “how to disconnect” steps with screenshots.

Next 60 days (Near-term)

• Implement baseline configuration changes in endpoint management and room management platforms.
• Publish user job aids for top device types (room kit, laptop, external webcam).
• Run usability validation with real users and log results; open tickets for failures.
• Stand up an exceptions register and route any legacy devices through it.

Next 90 days (Operationalize)

• Add SC-15(1) checks to change control for collaboration updates and room deployments.
• Create a recurring evidence cadence: inventory snapshot, config export, and test results.
• Validate third-party managed collaboration environments against the same standard; collect their artifacts.
• Load the control mapping, procedure, and evidence requests into Daydream so evidence collection stays continuous instead of annual.

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as a “collaborative computing device” for SC-15(1)?

Treat it as any device used for real-time collaboration that can capture or transmit audio, video, or shared content, such as room conferencing endpoints, cameras, and microphones. Document your scoped definition and apply it consistently across inventory and procurement.

Is a software mute button enough to meet the sc-15(1): physical or logical disconnect requirement?

It can be, if it is a true logical disconnect that users can access easily and that reliably prevents capture/transmission in your environment. If it only mutes within an application while the device remains active at the endpoint, auditors may challenge it.

Do we need a physical switch or shutter on every camera?

The requirement allows physical or logical disconnect. Pick the method per device class and justify it, then prove users can operate it easily and confirm the off state. ¹

How do we handle conference rooms managed by a third party?

Flow SC-15(1) requirements into the contract and require evidence such as configuration exports, local control descriptions, and change notifications. Treat gaps as third-party exceptions with compensating controls and documented approvals.

What evidence will an assessor accept without a live demo?

Keep configuration exports or screenshots that show the disconnect control, plus test records showing a typical user can perform the action and verify the off state. A short video walkthrough can help, but written test scripts and results are usually easier to store and review.

How do we keep SC-15(1) from breaking after software updates?

Put a specific check into collaboration client and room firmware change processes: confirm the disconnect controls still exist, remain user-accessible, and preserve the expected default/off behavior. Retain the regression test record as recurring evidence.

Footnotes

1. NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5 OSCAL JSON

2. NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5; Source: NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5 OSCAL JSON