CISO Plus | FISMA - Federal Information Security Modernization Act

FISMA - Federal Information Security Management Act

What is the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA)?

The Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) is a United States federal law that was enacted in 2002 to establish a framework for ensuring the security of government information and systems. FISMA requires federal agencies to develop, document, and implement an agency-wide program to provide security for the information and systems that support the operations and assets of the agency.

The FISMA framework includes several key components, including:

Risk Management: FISMA requires federal agencies to conduct ongoing risk assessments to identify and prioritize risks to their information and systems. Agencies must also develop and implement plans to mitigate identified risks and ensure that all security controls are properly implemented and maintained.
Security Controls: FISMA requires federal agencies to implement a range of security controls to protect their information and systems. These controls include access controls, authentication mechanisms, encryption, network and system monitoring, and incident response procedures.
Certification and Accreditation: FISMA requires federal agencies to undergo a certification and accreditation process to ensure that their information systems meet the security requirements specified in the FISMA framework. This process includes a comprehensive evaluation of the security controls in place, as well as ongoing monitoring and reporting to ensure that the controls continue to be effective.
Continuous Monitoring: FISMA requires federal agencies to implement a continuous monitoring program to ensure that their information and systems remain secure over time. This program includes ongoing monitoring of security controls, regular vulnerability assessments, and periodic security assessments to evaluate the effectiveness of the agency’s security program.
Reporting Requirements: FISMA requires federal agencies to report on their security posture to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on an annual basis. This includes reporting on their risk management program, security controls, certification and accreditation activities, and ongoing monitoring efforts.

The FISMA framework is designed to provide a comprehensive and standardized approach to information security for federal agencies. It is intended to ensure that federal agencies are adequately protecting their information and systems, and that they are able to respond effectively to security incidents when they occur.

One of the strengths of the FISMA framework is its emphasis on risk management. By requiring federal agencies to conduct ongoing risk assessments, FISMA ensures that agencies are focused on identifying and mitigating the most significant risks to their information and systems. Additionally, the FISMA framework includes a range of security controls that are designed to address a wide variety of threats and vulnerabilities.

Another strength of the FISMA framework is its requirement for certification and accreditation. This process helps to ensure that federal agencies are implementing and maintaining the security controls that are necessary to protect their information and systems. The certification and accreditation process also provides a means of evaluating the effectiveness of the agency’s security program and identifying areas for improvement.

However, one of the criticisms of the FISMA framework is that it can be complex and bureaucratic. The certification and accreditation process, in particular, can be time-consuming and expensive. Additionally, the reporting requirements can be burdensome for agencies, and there is a risk that agencies may focus too heavily on compliance with the framework rather than on actual security outcomes.

Overall, the FISMA framework is a valuable tool for federal agencies that are looking to ensure the security of their information and systems. The framework provides a comprehensive and standardized approach to information security, and includes a range of security controls that are designed to address a wide variety of threats and vulnerabilities. The focus on risk management and certification and accreditation helps to ensure that agencies are adequately protecting their information and systems, and the reporting requirements provide a means of accountability and transparency. While there are criticisms of the framework, it remains an important component of the United States government’s approach to information security.