FISMA

FISMA stands for the Federal Information Security Management Act. It is a United States federal law that was enacted in 2002 as part of the E-Government Act. FISMA provides a framework for managing information security and cybersecurity within federal government agencies and aims to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of federal information and information systems.

The main objective of FISMA is to establish a comprehensive framework for ensuring the security of federal government information and systems. It requires federal agencies to develop, document, and implement security programs that are based on risk assessments and follow a set of guidelines and standards established by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The law also mandates periodic security assessments, reporting, and auditing to ensure compliance.

Under FISMA, federal agencies are required to:

• Develop and implement security policies and procedures.
• Conduct risk assessments and implement risk management processes.
• Provide security awareness training to personnel.
• Implement controls and safeguards to protect information and systems.
• Conduct periodic security assessments and testing.
• Develop and implement incident response and contingency plans.
• Report security incidents and breaches.
• Maintain an ongoing security authorization process.

FISMA also established the role of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in overseeing federal information security policies and practices. The DHS, along with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), provides guidance and support to federal agencies to help them meet their cybersecurity requirements under FISMA.

Overall, FISMA plays a crucial role in ensuring the security and protection of federal government information and systems, helping to safeguard sensitive data and mitigate cybersecurity risks within the government sector.

FISMA and FedRAMP are two distinct cybersecurity frameworks established by the United States government. While they have some similarities, they focus on different aspects of cybersecurity and apply to different entities. Here's a breakdown of the key differences between FISMA and FedRAMP:

Scope and Applicability:

• FISMA (Federal Information Security Management Act): FISMA applies to all federal government agencies and their information systems. It sets requirements for federal agencies to develop and implement information security programs and safeguard federal information.
• FedRAMP (Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program): FedRAMP focuses specifically on cloud service providers (CSPs) that offer services to federal agencies. It provides a standardized approach to security assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring of cloud products and services.

Focus:

• FISMA: FISMA primarily focuses on managing information security risks within federal government agencies. It requires agencies to implement security controls, conduct risk assessments, and follow established guidelines and standards to protect federal information and information systems.
• FedRAMP: FedRAMP's primary focus is on assessing and authorizing cloud service providers to ensure their services meet stringent security requirements. It aims to provide federal agencies with a standardized and streamlined process for assessing the security of cloud offerings and promoting the adoption of secure cloud technologies.

Compliance Requirements:

• FISMA: FISMA compliance involves developing and implementing agency-specific security programs based on NIST guidelines and standards, conducting periodic security assessments, reporting incidents, and maintaining ongoing authorization processes.
• FedRAMP: FedRAMP compliance involves undergoing a rigorous assessment process to demonstrate that a cloud service offering meets the program's security requirements. This includes documenting security controls, undergoing independent security assessments, and obtaining a FedRAMP authorization.

Oversight:

• FISMA: FISMA is overseen by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). These agencies provide guidance, support, and oversight to federal agencies in implementing FISMA requirements.
• FedRAMP: FedRAMP is managed by the General Services Administration (GSA) in partnership with DHS and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The FedRAMP Program Management Office (PMO) is responsible for managing the program and coordinating with federal agencies and cloud service providers.

In summary, FISMA provides a framework for managing information security within federal government agencies, while FedRAMP focuses on assessing and authorizing the security of cloud service providers for federal agencies. FISMA is broad and applies to all federal agencies, whereas FedRAMP specifically addresses cloud services used by the government.

FISMA does not have a specific set of levels like some other cybersecurity frameworks. However, FISMA does categorize information systems and define different security levels based on the potential impact of a security breach or compromise. These security levels are determined by the information system's potential impact on an organization's operations, assets, or individuals.

FISMA categorizes information systems into three impact levels:

• Low Impact: Information systems categorized as low impact have the lowest potential impact on an organization's operations, assets, or individuals if a security breach occurs. These systems typically contain information that is publicly available or has minimal confidentiality or integrity requirements.
• Moderate Impact: Information systems categorized as moderate impact have a moderate potential impact on an organization's operations, assets, or individuals if a security breach occurs. These systems typically contain sensitive but not classified information, and their compromise could cause adverse effects on an organization's operations or individuals.
• High Impact: Information systems categorized as high impact have the highest potential impact on an organization's operations, assets, or individuals if a security breach occurs. These systems typically contain highly sensitive, classified, or otherwise restricted information that, if compromised, could result in severe damage or harm to an organization's operations or individuals.

It's important to note that FISMA does not explicitly define five levels like some other frameworks such as the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) or the Risk Management Framework (RMF), which have distinct levels of controls or maturity. FISMA focuses on categorizing systems based on their impact levels to ensure appropriate security controls are implemented to protect them.

FISMA (Federal Information Security Management Act) and RMF (Risk Management Framework) are two distinct frameworks established by the United States government to manage and enhance cybersecurity practices. While they are related and interconnected, they serve different purposes and have different scopes. Here are the key differences between FISMA and RMF:

Scope and Applicability:

• FISMA: FISMA applies to federal government agencies and their information systems. It sets requirements for agencies to develop and implement information security programs and protect federal information.
• RMF: RMF is a broader framework that applies to various organizations, including federal agencies, state and local governments, private sector entities, and educational institutions. It provides a structured approach to managing cybersecurity risks and applies to all information systems within those organizations.

Focus:

• FISMA: FISMA primarily focuses on managing information security risks within federal government agencies. It requires agencies to develop and implement security programs, conduct risk assessments, and follow guidelines and standards to protect federal information and information systems.
• RMF: RMF is a comprehensive risk management framework that provides a structured process for organizations to manage risks associated with their information systems. It encompasses the entire lifecycle of information systems, including the selection, implementation, assessment, and ongoing monitoring of security controls.

Implementation Approach:

• FISMA: FISMA provides a set of requirements that federal agencies must comply with to protect their information systems. It emphasizes compliance with security controls and guidelines provided by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
• RMF: RMF provides a risk-based approach to managing cybersecurity. It involves six steps: (1) Categorize, (2) Select, (3) Implement, (4) Assess, (5) Authorize, and (6) Monitor. Organizations using RMF assess the risks associated with their systems, select and implement appropriate security controls, assess the effectiveness of those controls, obtain authorization to operate, and continuously monitor and respond to security threats.

Relationship:

• FISMA and RMF are closely related. FISMA compliance is often achieved through the implementation of the RMF process. RMF aligns with FISMA's requirements and provides a systematic and risk-based approach for agencies to implement security controls and manage risks effectively.

In summary, FISMA is a specific law that applies to federal government agencies, focusing on information security management. RMF, on the other hand, is a broader risk management framework applicable to various organizations, providing a structured approach to managing cybersecurity risks for all information systems. While FISMA compliance can be achieved through the implementation of RMF, RMF is more extensive and can be applied to a wider range of organizations and systems beyond the federal government.