Login Form

Some Reading Ideas

Risk Management Framework - RMF SP 800-37

Risk Management Framework for Information Systems and Organizations: A System Life Cycle Approach for Security and Privacy (nist.gov)

Prepare Essential activities to prepare the organization to manage security and privacy risks.

Implement the controls and document how controls are deployed.

Categorize the system and information processed, stored, and transmitted based on impact analysis. 

Assess to determine if the controls are in place, operating as intended, and producing the desired results. 

Select the set of NIST SP 800-53 controls to protect the system based on risk assessment(s)

Authorize: Senior official makes a risk-based decision to authorize the system (to operate).

Monitor: Continuously monitor control implementation and risks to the system. 
Table 1: RMF Steps Including Resources for Implementers and Supporting NIST Publications *Read More at Risk Management Framework (RMF) Overview - Risk Management | CSRC

Cybersecurity Framework

Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) Framework Core (nist.gov)

Identify –   Develop an organizational understanding to manage cybersecurity risk to systems, people, assets, data, and capabilities. The activities in the Identify Function are foundational for effective use of the Framework. Understanding the business context, the resources that support critical functions, and the related cybersecurity risks enables an organization to focus and prioritize its efforts, consistent with its risk management strategy and business needs. Examples of outcome Categories within this Function include Asset Management; Business Environment; Governance; Risk Assessment; and Risk Management Strategy.

Protect – Develop and implement appropriate safeguards to ensure delivery of critical services. The Protect Function supports the ability to limit or contain the impact of a potential cybersecurity event. Examples of outcome Categories within this Function include Identity Management and Access Control; Awareness and Training; Data Security; Information Protection Processes and Procedures; Maintenance; and Protective Technology.

Detect – Develop and implement appropriate activities to identify the occurrence of a cybersecurity event. The Detect Function enables the timely discovery of cybersecurity events. Examples of outcome Categories within this Function include Anomalies and Events; Security Continuous Monitoring; and Detection Processes. 

Respond – Develop and implement appropriate activities to take action regarding a detected cybersecurity incident. The Respond Function supports the ability to contain the impact of a potential cybersecurity incident. Examples of outcome Categories within this Function include Response Planning; Communications; Analysis; Mitigation; and Improvements.

Recover – Develop and implement appropriate activities to maintain plans for resilience and to restore any capabilities or services that were impaired due to a cybersecurity incident. The Recover Function supports timely recovery to normal operations to reduce the impact of a cybersecurity incident. Examples of outcome Categories within this Function include Recovery Planning; Improvements; and Communications. 

Read more about NIST Cybersecurity Framework CSF

Regulatory Compliance Standards and Frameworks

Regulatory Compliance Standards and Frameworks

Because It's Law

Details
Written by: Robin Basham
Parent Category: Resources
Category: Regulatory Compliance Standards and Frameworks

Are women uniquely qualified to answer "why?" and "do I have to?"

Maybe so.

Yes, because it's the law.

Hits: 403

Read more: Because It's Law

More Mount Must Read - What goes in the package

Details
Written by: Robin Basham
Parent Category: Resources
Category: Regulatory Compliance Standards and Frameworks

FedRAMPAs quickly as I save this it will be out of date, but it's here to make an important point. Most people think they can "do NIST" by downloading the SP 800-53 r5 and using it like an ingredients list. They are very wrong. The process to earn Government Certifications is arduous and complex. There are distinct roles in who and how you prepare for attaining authority to operate, ATO. Even this table, which is embedded in several templates includes out-of-date references. For example, NIST SP 800-54 r4 is obsolete and no typo is going to change that. The SP 800-53A released a substantial new version this week. Many people confuse the NIST SP 800-53A R5 is here with the 800-53B and so will likely miss this positively critical new resource.

Hits: 533

Read more: More Mount Must Read - What goes in the package

National Cyber Security Center NCSC UK Announces Major Updates to Cyber Essentials

Details
Written by: Robin Basham
Parent Category: Resources
Category: Regulatory Compliance Standards and Frameworks

This is entirely quoted and verbatim except for the AMERICAN spelling.

"...In November 2021 the NCSC announced an overhaul of the Cyber Essentials technical controls and a change to the pricing structure. Both these changes come into effect on 24 January 2022. (NOTICE - if we provided you with mapping, it's time for an update AND you will have to provide evidence of your license.)

Updating the technical controls

Hits: 764

Read more: National Cyber Security Center NCSC UK Announces...

Building Cloud Products for Federal Agencies

Details
Written by: Robin Basham
Parent Category: Resources
Category: Regulatory Compliance Standards and Frameworks

Please, Just Tell Me What to Do

Building Cloud Products for Federal Agencies – Using NIST to Shift Compliance Left

Vendors and Consultants working with Federal Agencies are required to establish secure products and services as tagged to their associated commonly defined security controls (outcomes) and do so using a Cybersecurity Framework mapped to address common cybersecurity-related responsibilities. The most common set of categorized outcomes (a.k.a. Control Families or Control Objectives) is the security controls in NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5[i], Security and Privacy Controls for Federal Information Systems and Organizations.

Hits: 5334

Read more: Building Cloud Products for Federal Agencies

  1. NIST Privacy Framework
  2. CIS Critical Security Controls Version 8
  3. EXECUTIVE ORDER 14028, IMPROVING THE NATION'S CYBERSECURITY - NIST Content
  4. NIST Cybersecurity Framework CSF
  5. Secure Host Baselines & Common Security Framework CSF
  6. Data Centric Security tackles GDPR, CCPA & DLP
  7. NERC CIP
  8. ENISA Publications
  9. FIPS 199 - Security Categorization
  10. FIPS PUB 200 Minimum Security Requirements

Page 1 of 4

Main Menu

FIPS PUB 200 Minimum Security Requirements

FIPS PUB 200 Minimum Security Requirements - Visit FIPS 200, Minimum Security Requirements for Federal Info and Info Systems | CSRC (nist.gov)
  • Access Control (AC)
  • Awareness and Training (AT)
  • Audit and Accountability (AU)
  • Certification, Accreditation, and Security Assessments (CA)
  • Configuration Management (CM)
  • Contingency Planning (CP)
  • Identification and Authentication (IA)
  • Incident Response (IR)

Read FIPS PUB 200 Minimum Security Requirements
  • Maintenance (MA)
  • Media Protection (MP)
  • Physical and Environmental Protection (PE)
  • Planning (PL)
  • Personnel Security (PS)
  • Risk Assessment (RA)
  • System and Services Acquisition (SA)
  • System and Communications Protection (SC)
  • System and Information Integrity (SI)

Standards.gov | NIST

Standards.gov | NIST
Documentary Standards can specify the definition of terms; classifications of components; delineation of procedures; specification of dimensions, materials, processes, products, systems, services, or practices; test methods and sampling procedures; or descriptions of fit and measurements of size or strength. Under the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA), NIST is assigned the responsibility to coordinate federal, state, and local documentary standards and conformity assessment activities.
Standards.gov | Federal Use of Standards | Standards Incorporated by Reference (SIBR) | Industry Standards | International Standards | Military Standards | Standards Issued or Adopted by Federal Agencies | Standards Search Engines | Voluntary Product Standards

NIST Reading

Whether you're preparing for Cybersecurity certification, working with government standards, or simply starting your career in compliance, these are the NIST Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS), Special Publication (SP), and Interagency Report (IR) topics you need to know. (The Perils of Mount Must Read™ Confessions of a Cliff Note Junky) These resources go onto the "Mountain of Must Read". If you don't recognize the standard reference, you've missed critical understanding. As of 2022, this is the minimum NIST alphabet. All of these documents are found at https://csrc.nist.gov/publications/ Be very careful about static content. Look at links before you launch them. Never use alternate sites for the Computer Security Resource Center. Get the full list here <NIST Reading Extended>

FIPS Publication 140-2 Security Requirements for Cryptographic Modules [FIPS 140-2]
FIPS Publication 199 Standards for Security Categorization of Federal Information and Information Systems [FIPS 199]
FIPS Publication 200 Minimum Security Requirements for Federal Information and Information Systems [FIPS 200]
FIPS Publication 201-1 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) of Federal Employees and Contractors [FIPS 201-1]		 NISTIR 8212 ISCMA: An Information Security Continuous Monitoring Program Assessment
NIST SP 800-18 Guide for Developing Security Plans for Federal Information Systems [SP 800-18]
NIST SP 800-30 Risk Management Guide for Information Technology Systems [NIST SP 800-30]
NIST SP 800-34 Contingency Planning Guide for Federal Information Systems [SP 800-34]

US Cert CISA Tweets