Can there be multiple Cloud Service Model props in <system-characteristics>?

[telosBA]

• This is a ...

  • [ ] concern - I think something needs to be different.
  • [x] question - I didn't understand something.
  • [ ] kudos - I found something helpful and want to encourage it in future FedRAMP publications.
  • [ ] request - I would like to see something additional provided.

• This relates to ...

  • [ ] the FedRAMP OSCAL Registry (Excel File)
  • [ ] the Guide to OSCAL-based FedRAMP Content (PDF)
  • [ ] the Guide to OSCAL-based FedRAMP System Security Plans (SSP) (PDF)
  • [ ] the Guide to OSCAL-based FedRAMP Security Assessment Plans (SAP) (PDF)
  • [ ] the Guide to OSCAL-based FedRAMP Security Assessment Reports (SAR) (PDF)
  • [ ] the Guide to OSCAL-based FedRAMP Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M) (PDF)
  • [x] the FedRAMP SSP OSCAL Template (JSON or XML Format)
  • [ ] the FedRAMP SAP OSCAL Template (JSON or XML Format)
  • [ ] the FedRAMP SAR OSCAL Template (JSON or XML Format)
  • [ ] the FedRAMP POA&M OSCAL Template (JSON or XML Format)
  • [ ] General/Overall
  • [ ] Other

NOTE: For feedback related to the OSCAL syntax itself, please create or add to an issue in the NIST OSCAL Repository.

• Where, exactly?
  • For the registry, please indicate the tab and cell, or other clear identifier
  • For the guide, please indicate the section number and printed page number (lower right corner)
  • For the OSCAL XML or JSON files, please indicate XML or JSON; and indicate the line number, field id, or other clear location identifier

FedRAMP-SSP-OSCAL-Template.xml Line 529

• What is your feedback?

There may be use cases in which customers have multiple Cloud Service Models. The template only has one shown.

• What version of OSCAL are you using? (Check our info on supported OSCAL versions)

1.0.2

• What action would you like to see from the FedRAMP PMO?

Can there be multiple <prop> name="cloud-service-model" props (e.g. combination of SaaS, PaaS, IaaS, and Other) in <system-characteristics> or is it limited to 1 (mutually exclusive)?

• Other information (e.g. detailed explanation, related issues, suggestions how to fix, links for us to have context, eg. slack, gitter, etc)

[david-waltermire]

OSCAL allows the prop[@name="cloud-service-model"] to be repeated, allowing multiple models to be provided. This is a general pattern in OSCAL, allowing multiple values to be provided by using multiple props with the same name and namespace.

I am not sure if FedRAMP wants to restrict this further to a maximum of 1.