DIARMF A&A - Assessment Authorization

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.

DIARMF A&A – Assessment Authorization

January 17, 2014 by Bruce Brown Leave a Comment

DIARMF A&A – Assessment Authorization

Defense Information Assurance Risk Management Framework Assessment & Authorization is similar to what certification and accreditation (C&A).

With DIACAP transition comes some new terms but essentially the same kinds of work. Risk management framework still does the comprehensive evaluation of security features but calls it assessment instead of ceritification. Where DIACAP had the Designating Authorizing Authority (DAA) to formally accredit a system, DIARMF has an Authorizing Official (AO) to authorize a system.

So essentially, the terms “C&A” certification and accreditation is superseded by “A&A” assessment and authorization. Another term that has changed with the transition from DIACAP to DIARMF is “information assurance (IA) controls” which is now called “security controls”. The security controls mark one of the biggest differences between DIACAP and DIARMF since there are so many more security controls in NIST SP 800-53 than there are in DIACAP’s DOD 8500.2.

Certification (NIST Assessment) – Comprehensive evaluation of an information system assessment of IA Controls/Security Controls to determine the extent to which the controls are implemented correctly and operating as intended. That means when evaluated, they produce the desired outcome. An assessment is about gathering information to providing the factual basis for an authorizing official (Designated Accrediting Authority) to render a security accreditation decision

Accreditation (NIST Authorization) – Security accreditation is the official management decision to operate (DAA – Formal approval of the system). Authorization is given by a senior agency official (upper-management/higher head quarters/combat commander). The official should have the authority to oversee the budget and business operations of the information system explicitly accept the risk to operations, assets, individuals. They accept responsibility for the security of the system and are fully accountable for the security of the system.

“The official management decision given by a senior organization“The official management decision given by a senior organizational official to authorize operation of an information system and to explicitly accept the risk to organizational operations (including mission, functions, image, or reputation), organizational assets, individuals, other organizations, and the Nation based on the implementation of an agreed-upon set of security controls.” – NIST SP 800-37 rev 1