authorization package

risk assessment reports

January 21, 2014 by Bruce Brown 1 Comment

Risk Assessment Reports (RAR) also known as the Security Assessment Report (SAR) is an essential part of the DIARMF Authorization Package. This document can be done at anytime after the system is implemented (DIARMF Process step 3) but must be done during DIARMF step 4, Assess for the risk identification of the system. The Authorization Package consists of the following (but is not limited to):

System Security Plan (SSP) – “Formal document that provides an overview of the security requirements for the information system and describes the security controls in place or planned for meeting those requirements.” — NIST SP 800-18. This document provides over all system characterization and control analysis for the system. More on Security Plan – NIST SP 800-18, Guide for Developing Security Plans for Federal Information Systems
Plan of Action and Milestone (POA&M pronounced PO’AM) – “A document that identifies tasks needing to be accomplished. It details resources required to accomplish the elements of the plan, any milestones in meeting the tasks, and scheduled completion dates for the milestones.” — NIST SP 800-18. After the DIARMF Assessment the POA&M is accomplished to address the residual risks that could not be properly mitigated.
Risk Assessment Report / Security Assessment Report (RAR/SAR) – “The process of identifying risks to agency operations (including mission, functions, image, or reputation), agency assets, or individuals by determining the probability of occurrence, the resulting impact, and additional security controls that would mitigate this impact.” — NIST SP 800-18. Form more see NIST SP 800-30, Guide for Conducting Risk Assessments.
Artifacts – Supporting documents that provide evidence that certain security feature and/or programs exist.

NIST SP 800-30, guide on risk assessment, breaks down what should be in a risk assessment report / security assessment report in appendix K, RISK ASSESSMENT REPORTS ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF INFORMATION

The risk assessment report / security assessment report results provide decision makers (system owners & authorization officers) with some idea of the risks that will be imposed upon the organization, asset, individuals in the organization, associates of the organization and in some cases the Nation.

The risk assessment report / security assessment report is broken into three parts:

Executive Summary (audience Managers) – the executive summary gives a brief high-level view of the overall risk assessment. It lists the dates of the risk assessment, summarized the purpose and scope and gives a quick idea of the finding.
Body of the Report (audience Security Practitioners) – fills out the details of the findings. In addition to detailing the who, what, when, where and how of the risk assessment, it goes int specific information technology issues. Since it is mentions specific IP addresses and associated vulnerabilities, it must be considered confidential. The RAR/SAR may describe how vulnerabilities can be exploited and what was done to fix the weakness to limit the risk.
Supporting Appendices – may include actual raw network vulnerability scans. References & glossary.
risk assessment report

Template of Risk Assessment Report/Security Assessment: Risk assessment report_Example

risk management framework steps

January 19, 2014 by Bruce Brown Leave a Comment

The risk management framework steps are detailed in NIST SP 800-37, Guide for Applying the Risk Management Framework to Federal Information Systems.

The DoD has recently adopted the Risk Management Framework steps (called the DIARMF process). There are 6 step: Categorize, Select, Implement, Assess, Authorize and Continuous Monitor.

risk management framework – Step 1. Categorize

The first risk management framework step is categorization. This step consists of classifying the importance of the information system. This is done by the system owner with FIPS 199 and NIST 800-60.

Categorization is based on how much negative impact the organization will receive if the information system lost is confidentiality, integrity or availability.

risk management framework – Step 2. Select

With FIPS 200 and NIST SP 800-53, the organization responsible for the systems security will select the security controls required to limit the risk to their organization. The selection of the controls is based on the categorization of your system. A system security plan is created as a guide to what will be installed and/or configured on the system.

risk management framework – Step 3. Implement

Using the System Security Plan, the organization responsible for the categorized system can begin risk management framework step 3. This step is implementation which is installation and configuration of security patches, hotfixes and security devices where necessary. Guidance for actual implantation has to come from technical manuals, system administrators, system engineers and others technically competent enough to do the work.

risk management framework – Step 4. Assess

The organization has to make sure that the security controls are implemented properly. This is done in risk management step 4, assess. Using NIST SP 800-53A, Guide for Assessing the Security Controls in Federal Information Systems and Organizations is used to determine which controls have been fully implemented to limit the risks to the organization.

risk management framework – Step 5. Authorize

Even after implementation and assessment of the security controls that limits the over all risk to the organization, there is some remaining (residual) risk. The organization must have someone who has enough authority of over the system to accept the residual risk. This person is known as the Authorizing Official.

In risk management framework step 5, an Authorizing Official makes a formal, written acceptance of the risks. The AO makes a decision on whether or not to accept the risk based on the authorization package. The authorization package consists of the system security plan, plan of action and milestone, security/risk assessment report and any other supporting documents.