| Users must ensure their use of this technology/standard is consistent with VA policies and standards, including, but not limited to,
VA Handbooks 6102 and 6500; VA Directives 6004, 6513, and 6517; and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standards, including Federal Information
Processing Standards (FIPS). Users must ensure sensitive data is properly protected in compliance with all VA regulations. Prior to use of this technology, users
should check with their supervisor, Information Security Officer (ISO), Facility Chief Information Officer (CIO), or local Office of Information and Technology
(OI&T) representative to ensure that all actions are consistent with current VA policies and procedures prior to implementation. |
| The VA Decision Matrix displays the current and future VAIT
position regarding different releases of a TRM entry. These decisions are
based upon the best information available as of the most current date. The consumer of this information has the
responsibility to consult the organizations responsible for the desktop, testing, and/or production environments
to ensure that the target version of the technology will be supported.
|
|
|
| Legend: |
| White |
Authorized: The technology/standard has been authorized for use.
|
| Yellow |
Authorized w/ Constraints: The technology/standard can be used within the specified constraints located
below the decision matrix in the footnote[1] and on the General tab.
|
| Gray |
Authorized w/ Constraints (POA&M): This technology or standard can be used only if a POA&M review is conducted and signed by
the Authorizing Official Designated Representative (AODR) as designated by the Authorizing Official (AO) or designee
and based upon a recommendation from the POA&M Compliance Enforcement,
has been granted to the project team or organization that wishes to use the technology.
|
| Orange |
Authorized w/ Constraints (DIVEST): VA has decided to divest itself on the use of the technology/standard.
As a result, all projects currently utilizing the technology/standard must plan to eliminate their use of
the technology/standard. Additional information on when the entry is projected to become unauthorized may be
found on the Decision tab for the specific entry.
|
| Black |
Unauthorized: The technology/standard is not (currently) permitted to be used under any circumstances.
|
| Blue |
Authorized w/ Constraints (PLANNING/EVALUATION): The period of time this technology is currently being evaluated, reviewed,
and tested in controlled environments. Use of this technology is strictly controlled and not available
for use within the general population. If a customer would like to use this technology, please work with
your local or Regional OI&T office and contact the appropriate evaluation office
displayed in the notes below the decision matrix. The Local or Regional OI&T
office should submit an
inquiry to the TRM
if they require further assistance or if the evaluating office is not listed in the notes below.
|
|
| Release/Version Information: |
|
VA decisions for specific versions may include a ‘.x’ wildcard, which denotes a decision that pertains to a range of multiple versions.
|
|
For example, a technology authorized with a decision for 7.x would cover any version of 7.(Anything) - 7.(Anything). However, a 7.4.x decision
would cover any version of 7.4.(Anything), but would not cover any version of 7.5.x or 7.6.x on the TRM.
|
|
VA decisions for specific versions may include ‘+’ symbols; which denotes that the decision for the version specified also includes versions greater than
what is specified but is not to exceed or affect previous decimal places.
|
|
For example, a technology authorized with a decision for 12.6.4+ would cover any version that is greater than 12.6.4, but would not exceed the .6 decimal ie: 12.6.401
is ok, 12.6.5 is ok, 12.6.9 is ok, however 12.7.0 or 13.0 is not.
|
| Any major.minor version that is not listed in the VA Decision Matrix is considered Authorized w/ Constraints (POA&M). |
|
<Past |
Future> |
| 1.x |
Approved w/Constraints
[12, 13, 14, 15] |
Approved w/Constraints
[12, 13, 14, 15] |
Approved w/Constraints
[12, 13, 14, 15] |
Approved w/Constraints
[12, 13, 14, 15] |
Authorized w/ Constraints
[12, 13, 14, 15] |
Approved w/Constraints
[12, 13, 14, 15] |
Approved w/Constraints
[12, 13, 14, 15] |
Approved w/Constraints
[12, 13, 14, 15] |
Authorized w/ Constraints
[12, 13, 14, 15] |
Authorized w/ Constraints
[12, 13, 14, 15] |
Authorized w/ Constraints
[12, 13, 14, 15] |
Authorized w/ Constraints
[12, 13, 14, 15] |
| 2.x |
Approved w/Constraints
[12, 13, 14, 15] |
Approved w/Constraints
[12, 13, 14, 15] |
Approved w/Constraints
[12, 13, 14, 15] |
Approved w/Constraints
[12, 13, 14, 15] |
Authorized w/ Constraints
[12, 13, 14, 15] |
Approved w/Constraints
[12, 13, 14, 15] |
Approved w/Constraints
[12, 13, 14, 15] |
Approved w/Constraints
[12, 13, 14, 15] |
Authorized w/ Constraints
[12, 13, 14, 15] |
Authorized w/ Constraints
[12, 13, 14, 15] |
Authorized w/ Constraints
[12, 13, 14, 15] |
Authorized w/ Constraints
[12, 13, 14, 15] |
| | | | [1] | The containers Rancher controls are autonomous and must be individually secured.
Rancher’s GitHub page and systems running Rancher must be continually monitored for vulnerabilities, patches, and updates. | | | [2] | Due to National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) identified security vulnerabilities, extra vigilance should be applied to ensure the versions remain properly patched to mitigate known and future vulnerabilities. The local ISO can provide assistance in reviewing the NIST vulnerabilities. | | | [3] | Due to potential information security risks, cloud based technologies may not be used without the approval of the Enterprise Cloud Solution Office (ECSO). This body is in part responsible for ensuring organizational information, Personally Identifiable Information (PII), Protected Health Information (PHI), and VA sensitive data are not compromised. (Ref: VA Directive 6004, VA Directive 6517, VA Directive 6513 and VA Directive 6102). | | | [4] | Due to potential information security risks for cloud-based technologies, users should coordinate closely with their facility ISSO for guidance and assistance on cloud products. If further guidance is needed contact the Enterprise Cloud Solution Office (ECSO), which is the body responsible for new software development in and migration of existing systems to the VA Enterprise Cloud (VAEC) and ensuring organizational information, Personally Identifiable Information (PII), Protected Health Information (PHI), and VA sensitive data are not compromised within the VAEC. For information about Software as a Service (SaaS) products or to submit a SaaS product request with the Project Special Forces (SPF) team, please use their online form.
(Ref: VA Directive 6004, VA Directive 6517, VA Directive 6513 and VA Directive 6102). | | | [5] | Rancher should not be used until the VA develops a container strategy and establishes an enterprise orchestration solution.
In order to reduce costs, risk and overhead in many areas including: training, patching, configuration standards, and documentation, VA has standardized the types and configurations of the platforms/technologies it uses and maintains baselines for in its internal operating environment.
Without a published DISA STIG or NIST validated checklist, creating a baseline requires substantial effort and significant time and cost. The project team will require written vendor commitment for assistance and continued vendor support and a VA Subject Matter Expert (SME) point of contact with a signed Baseline ownership Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). To begin exploring baseline creation, the project team requesting to use this technology must submit a request for a new product or technology review to Solution Delivery, Security Engineering via the following link: https://vaww.portal2.va.gov/sites/infosecurity/ess/Lists/Request%20New%20ProductTechnology%20Review/AllItems.aspx
Security Engineering will work with the project team and the SD Baseline and Configuration Management (BCM) team to identify the appropriate foundational checklist (e.g. DISA SRG, DISA STIG, or NIST Validated Checklist) to use as a basis for the VA security controls checklist. Once provided, the project team will be responsible for working with the product vendor to complete the checklist with special emphasis on VA Check Content and VA Fix text columns with specific commands related to the product.
The containers Rancher controls are autonomous and must be individually secured.
Rancher’s GitHub page and systems running Rancher must be continually monitored for vulnerabilities, patches, and updates.
Due to potential information security risks, cloud based technologies may not be used without the approval of the VA Enterprise Cloud Services (ECS) Group. This body is in part responsible for ensuring organizational information, Personally Identifiable Information (PII), Protected Health Information (PHI), and VA sensitive data are not compromised. (Ref: VA Directive 6004, VA Directive 6517, VA Directive 6513 and VA Directive 6102).
Based on the IPR findings from Security Engineering and pending required VA security policy guidance from OIS DevSecOps on container and orchestrator technology, this technology is only authorized for Development and Test systems usage. Production system use of this technology is considered TRM unapproved must have an authorized TRM waiver to accept the risks of using this technology in production without required policy and configuration standards. This constraint will be revisited after VA determines relevant policy and creates configuration standard(s). See the reference section and the Baseline Configuration Management website for more information: https://vaww.vashare.oit.va.gov/sites/itops/svcs/sma/BCM/Pages/BCM.aspx | | | [6] | Users should check with their supervisor, Information Security Office (ISO) or local OIT representative for permission to download and use this software. Downloaded software must always be scanned for viruses prior to installation to prevent adware or malware. Freeware may only be downloaded directly from the primary site that the creator of the software has advertised for public download and user or development community engagement. Users should note, any attempt by the installation process to install any additional, unrelated software is not authorized and the user should take the proper steps to decline those installations. | | | [7] | Technology must remain patched and operated in accordance with Federal and Department security policies and guidelines in order to mitigate known and future security vulnerabilities. | | | [8] | Due to potential information security risks for cloud-based technologies, users should coordinate closely with their facility ISSO for guidance and assistance on cloud products. If further guidance is needed contact the Enterprise Cloud Solution Office (ECSO), which is the body responsible for new software development in and migration of existing systems to the VA Enterprise Cloud (VAEC) and ensuring organizational information, Personally Identifiable Information (PII), Protected Health Information (PHI), and VA sensitive data are not compromised within the VAEC. For information about Software as a Service (SaaS) products or to submit a SaaS product request with the Project Special Forces (SPF) team, please use their online form.
(Ref: VA Directive 6004, VA Directive 6517, VA Directive 6513 and VA Directive 6102). | | | [9] | Due to potential information security risks for cloud-based technologies, users should coordinate closely with their facility ISSO for guidance and assistance on cloud products. If further guidance is needed contact the Enterprise Cloud Solution Office (ECSO), which is the body responsible for new software development in and migration of existing systems to the VA Enterprise Cloud (VAEC) and ensuring organizational information, Personally Identifiable Information (PII), Protected Health Information (PHI), and VA sensitive data are not compromised within the VAEC. For information about Software as a Service (SaaS) products or to submit a SaaS product request with the Project Special Forces (PSF) team, please use their online form.
(Ref: VA Directive 6004, VA Directive 6517, VA Directive 6513 and VA Directive 6102). | | | [10] | Due to potential information security risks for cloud-based technologies, users should coordinate closely with their facility ISSO for guidance and assistance on cloud products. If further guidance is needed contact the Enterprise Cloud Solution Office (ECSO), which is the body responsible for new software development in and migration of existing systems to the VA Enterprise Cloud (VAEC) and ensuring organizational information, Personally Identifiable Information (PII), Protected Health Information (PHI), and VA sensitive data are not compromised within the VAEC. For information about Software as a Service (SaaS) products or to submit a SaaS product request with the VA OIT Product Engineering team, please use their online form.
(Ref: VA Directive 6004, VA Directive 6517, VA Directive 6513 and VA Directive 6102). | | | [11] | This technology can be deployed with Kubernetes. At the time of writing, the baseline for Kubernetes dictates that it can only be used in on-premises in Amazon Web Services (AWS) VA Enterprise Cloud (VAEC) implementations.
Users must not utilize the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol, as it is unapproved for use on the TRM.
Users must not utilize Docker Desktop, as it is at the time of writing, unapproved in the TRM.
Per the Initial Product Review, users must abide by the following constraints:
- Rancher should not be used until the VA develops a container strategy and establishes an enterprise orchestration solution.
- This technology is currently unapproved due to VA standardization and the lack of a required VA baseline. In order to reduce costs, risk and overhead in many areas including: training, patching, configuration standards, and documentation, VA has standardized the types and configurations of the platforms/technologies it uses and maintains baselines for in its internal operating environment.
Without a published DISA STIG or NIST validated checklist, creating a baseline requires substantial effort and significant time and cost. The project team will require written vendor commitment for assistance and continued vendor support and a VA Subject Matter Expert (SME) point of contact with a signed Baseline ownership Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). To begin exploring baseline creation, the project team requesting to use this technology must submit a request for a new product or technology review to Solution Delivery, Security Engineering via the following link: https://vaww.portal2.va.gov/sites/infosecurity/ess/Lists/Request%20New%20ProductTechnology%20Review/AllItems.aspx
Security Engineering will work with the project team and the SD Baseline and Configuration Management (BCM) team to identify the appropriate foundational checklist (e.g. DISA SRG, DISA STIG, or NIST Validated Checklist) to use as a basis for the VA security controls checklist. Once provided, the project team will be responsible for working with the product vendor to complete the checklist with special emphasis on VA Check Content and VA Fix text columns with specific commands related to the product
- Users must ensure that any deployments of Rancher that will process and/or store PHI/PII or VA sensitive information be configured using the necessary software distributions and configurations for FIPS 140-2 compliance.
- Rancher’s GitHub page and systems running Rancher must be continually monitored for vulnerabilities, patches, and updates.
- Due to potential information security risks, cloud-based technologies may not be used without the approval of the VA Enterprise Cloud Services (ECS) Group. This body is in part responsible for ensuring organizational information, Personally Identifiable Information (PII), Protected Health Information (PHI), and VA sensitive data are not compromised. (Ref: VA Directive 6004, VA Directive 6517, VA Directive 6513 and VA Directive 6102).
| | | [12] | Users should check with their supervisor, Information System Security Officer (ISSO) or local OIT representative for permission to download and use this software. Downloaded software must always be scanned for viruses prior to installation to prevent adware or malware. Freeware may only be downloaded directly from the primary site that the creator of the software has advertised for public download and user or development community engagement. Users should note, any attempt by the installation process to install any additional, unrelated software is not authorized and the user should take the proper steps to decline those installations. | | | [13] | Due to National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) identified security vulnerabilities, extra vigilance should be applied to ensure the versions remain properly patched to mitigate known and future vulnerabilities. The local ISSO (Information System Security Officer) can provide assistance in reviewing the NIST vulnerabilities. | | | [14] | This technology can be deployed with Kubernetes. At the time of writing, the baseline for Kubernetes dictates that it can only be used in on-premises in Amazon Web Services (AWS) VA Enterprise Cloud (VAEC) implementations.
Users must ensure that Google Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge are implemented with VA-authorized baselines. (refer to the ‘Category’ tab under ‘Runtime Dependencies’)
Users must not utilize the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol, as it is unapproved for use on the TRM.
Users must utilize authorized internet browsers, as Opera (Opera Desktop) and Brave are unapproved. See Category Tab for details.
Per the Initial Product Review, users must abide by the following constraints:
- . VA utilizes the risk-based decision process defined in the VA POA&M Management Guide and Accreditation Requirement Guide in accordance with
VA Handbook 6500 - Risk Management Framework for VA Information Systems - Tier 3: VA Information Security Program. Please reach out to your
ISSO and SS for pre-existing systems to enter a high or higher POA&M for the “TRM Unapproved technology”.
- For any data containing PHI/PII or VA sensitive information, Rancher must be configured to run in FIPS mode.
- Due to potential information security risks, SaaS/PaaS solutions must complete the Veterans-Focused Integration Process Request (VIPR) process where a collaborative effort between Demand Management (DM), Enterprise Program Management Office Information Assurance (EPMO IA), Digital Transformation Center (DTC), Enterprise Cloud Solutions Office (ECSO), Chief Technology Officer (CTO), and stakeholders determines the SaaS/PaaS category during the Discovery Phase. All SaaS and Non-AWS or Azure (VAEC) PaaS assets are routed to EPMO IA for Analysis and Approval to Operate (ATO) with technical oversight, acquisition, production, and sustainment provided by DTC.
- System owners must ensure they are using the most recent version of Rancher. Currently version 2.x.
| | | [15] | Due to potential information security risks for cloud-based technologies, users should coordinate closely with their facility ISSO for guidance and assistance on cloud products. If further guidance is needed contact the Enterprise Cloud Solution Office (ECSO), which is the body responsible for new software development in and migration of existing systems to the VA Enterprise Cloud (VAEC) and ensuring organizational information, Personally Identifiable Information (PII), Protected Health Information (PHI), and VA sensitive data are not compromised within the VAEC. For information about Software as a Service (SaaS) products or to submit a SaaS product request, visit the Product Marketplace.
(Ref: VA Directive 6004, VA Directive 6517, VA Directive 6513 and VA Directive 6102). |
|
| Note: |
At the time of writing, version 2.8.0 is the most current version, released 10/16/2023. |
