Which security control family focuses on system and communications protection?

The focus of the System and Communications Protection control family is specifically on safeguarding the systems and communications within an organization, particularly in the context of DoD security. This family encompasses measures that ensure both the integrity and confidentiality of data transmitted across networks and within systems. It provides guidelines and standards for protecting information systems from unauthorized access, exploitation, and alteration during processing or transmission.

By concentrating on aspects such as encryption, firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and secure communications protocols, this control family plays a crucial role in defending against potential threats that could compromise sensitive information. The emphasis on protecting not only the system itself but also the channels through which data flows is essential for maintaining a comprehensive security posture in any DoD environment.

In contrast, the other control families, while important, do not specifically address the dual focus on the systems and the communication infrastructure. Access Control deals primarily with who can access what information, Incident Response focuses on managing and mitigating security breaches when they occur, and Configuration Management is concerned with maintaining the integrity of systems through proper setup and updates. Therefore, the System and Communications Protection control family stands out as the dedicated category for addressing the protection of systems and communication networks.