About Lesson
The NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF), developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, provides a comprehensive process for managing cybersecurity risk in federal agencies. However, it is widely adopted across industries for its flexibility and depth. The RMF emphasizes the need for a structured approach to risk management that incorporates security and privacy considerations into system development and lifecycle management.
The RMF is built around six key steps:
- Categorize the System: Understand the system’s function, its role in the organization, and the potential impact of a breach.
- Select Security Controls: Choose appropriate security controls based on the system’s categorization, to ensure it can operate securely.
- Implement Security Controls: Put the selected controls into action within the system.
- Assess Security Controls: Evaluate the effectiveness of security controls and verify they mitigate the identified risks.
- Authorize the System: Senior management formally accepts the risk, allowing the system to operate within the defined parameters.
- Monitor Security Controls: Continuously monitor and assess the system to ensure security controls remain effective over time.
By following the RMF, organizations create a structured and repeatable process for managing cybersecurity risks, ensuring they maintain compliance and security throughout the system lifecycle.