Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA)

Specifically addressing the information security needs of federal government agencies and their respective contractors.

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The Federal Information Security Management Act, or FISMA, is a US federal law that was enacted in 2002 as part of the Electronic Government Act. It was designed to improve the cybersecurity posture of federal government agencies by establishing a framework for ensuring the protection of sensitive and valuable government information & systems as well as managing information security.

The 7 Key Requirements of FISMA Compliance

  1. Maintain an inventory of information systems
  2. Categorize information and systems according to risk level
  3. Conduct risk assessments
  4. Create and maintain a system security plan
  5. Implement security controls
  6. Conduct annual security reviews
  7. Continuously monitor information systems

FISMA Compliance Checklist

Let’s break each of the 7 requirements down a bit more in-depth:

1

Maintain an inventory of information systems

All federal agencies and their contractors must maintain an updated list of their IT systems, including network boundaries and how each system connects. This inventory helps organizations understand each system, all entry points, areas of the system that pose a higher risk, and more.

2

Categorize information and systems according to risk level

The system elements outlined in the inventory in step one should be categorized depending on the level of security risk they pose. This can help organizations focus their security efforts on high-risk areas, ensuring enhanced controls and protection are safeguarding the most sensitive information.

3

Conduct risk assessments

An integral part of FISMA’s risk-based approach to safeguarding information systems is the creation of a risk assessment plan. After identifying and assessing potential risks, organizations should map them to the security controls that mitigate them. By continuously assessing and auditing for risks and threats, organizations can proactively strengthen overall system resilience.

4

Create and maintain a system security plan

A system security plan (SSP) keeps a comprehensive record of cybersecurity controls, policies, and procedures, as well as a timeline to introduce further controls, and should be regularly reviewed and maintained. The SSP should also include a plan of action with milestones (POAM) for achieving compliance with information system controls and guidelines.

5

Implement security controls

To achieve FISMA compliance, all government information systems must meet the security requirements outlined in the relevant NIST publication. While organizations aren’t required to implement every single control, they must implement the controls that are relevant to them and their systems, as well as document the selected controls in their system security plan (SSP).

6

Conduct annual security reviews

Annual security reviews must be conducted in order to confirm that the implemented security controls are sufficient and information security risks are at a minimum level. This includes embedding a process for reviewing and accrediting any new or existing software, hardware, or assets that are part of the federal network and systems.

7

Continuously monitor information systems

After FISMA compliance is achieved, there needs to be continuous monitoring of security controls and documentation of system changes and modifications in order to keep the organization secure against emerging risks and threats. This may include regular audits, risk assessments, vulnerability scans, and more.
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Benefits Of Achieving FISMA Compliance

Achieving FISMA compliance enhances organizational cybersecurity posture, fosters trust among stakeholders, and ensures the protection of sensitive information through comprehensive risk management practices. Specific benefits include:

  • Strengthened information security
  • Improved risk management
  • Established frameworks and standards
  • Regular reporting and auditing
  • Continuous monitoring
  • Incident response and reporting
  • Training and awareness
  • Compliance and accountability
  • And more!

Ensure the security and integrity of your sensitive data with the comprehensive FISMA compliance and auditing services from R3. We leverage expert knowledge and cutting-edge technology to provide your organization with a robust framework, guaranteeing regulatory adherence and safeguarding against potential cyber threats.

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FAQ

The Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) aims to bolster the cybersecurity of federal information networks and systems — as well as those of their contractors — by formulating and incorporating information security strategies to safeguard government networks.

In order to be FISMA compliant, your company will need to categorize information that needs protection, determine the right baseline controls that will provide the necessary security, use a risk assessment process to adjust the security controls to your organization, document controls as they evolve, apply controls throughout the system, implement tracking practices to maintain vigilance over the information security system, and more.

Maintaining FISMA compliance is an ongoing process that requires a systematic and proactive approach to managing cybersecurity risks. This includes continuous monitoring, regular security assessments, documentation, configuration management, updates and patch management, and more.

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