Risk Response
Types of Risk Responses
INFOSEC BASICS
NIST 800-37 r2-RMF
NIST RMF (Risk Management Framework) 800-37 provides a structured approach to managing cybersecurity risk within federal agencies and other organizations. While NIST RMF does not prescribe specific risk responses, it does outline a set of steps and processes for managing risk effectively. Within the RMF, risk responses typically align with the steps of the framework, which include:
1. Prepare: This initial step involves establishing the context for risk management activities, including defining the organization's risk management strategy, policies, and procedures. Risk responses during this phase may include:
Developing an organizational risk management policy that outlines roles, responsibilities, and procedures for identifying, assessing, and responding to cybersecurity risks.
Establishing risk management objectives and priorities based on organizational goals and mission requirements.
Allocating resources and establishing governance structures to support risk management activities
2. Categorize: In this step, organizations identify and categorize information systems and the data they process based on their potential impact on the organization's missions and business functions. Risk responses during this phase may include:
Conducting data classification exercises to identify sensitive and critical information assets.
Assigning impact levels (e.g., low, moderate, high) to information systems and data based on their confidentiality, integrity, and availability requirements.
Developing security controls tailored to the impact levels of information systems and data.
3. Select: During this step, organizations select and implement appropriate security controls to mitigate identified risks based on the categorization of information systems and data. Risk responses during this phase may include:
Conducting risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities and threats to information systems and data.
Selecting and implementing security controls from the NIST SP 800-53 catalog that address identified risks.
Tailoring security controls based on the organization's risk tolerance, security requirements, and operational environment.
4. Implement: In this step, organizations implement selected security controls and document their implementation to ensure they are effectively deployed within information systems. Risk responses during this phase may include:
Developing security plans and documentation that describe how selected security controls are implemented, managed, and monitored.
Integrating security controls into system development life cycle (SDLC) processes and system configurations.
Providing training and awareness programs to ensure that personnel understand their roles and responsibilities for implementing security controls.
5. Assess: Organizations assess the effectiveness of implemented security controls to determine if they are meeting their intended objectives and mitigating identified risks. Risk responses during this phase may include:
Conducting security control assessments to evaluate the effectiveness of implemented controls.
Documenting assessment results and identifying deficiencies or areas for improvement.
Updating security plans and remediation plans based on assessment findings.
6. Authorize: Based on the results of security control assessments, organizations make risk-based decisions regarding the authorization of information systems to operate. Risk responses during this phase may include:
Reviewing assessment results and residual risks to determine if they are acceptable within the organization's risk tolerance.
Making risk-based decisions regarding the authorization of information systems to operate, including granting authorizations to operate (ATO), conditional authorizations, or denying authorizations.
Developing risk mitigation strategies and plans to address residual risks that are not acceptable
7. Monitor: Finally, organizations continuously monitor the security controls and the risk posture of information systems to ensure ongoing effectiveness and compliance with organizational policies and requirements. Risk responses during this phase may include:
Implementing continuous monitoring processes to collect, analyze, and respond to security-related events and incidents.
Conducting periodic security control assessments and audits to evaluate compliance with security policies and requirements.
Updating risk management documentation and plans based on changes in the organization's risk environment, threat landscape, or operational requirements.
Overall, NIST RMF provides a structured framework for managing cybersecurity risk that encompasses a range of risk responses tailored to an organization's specific risk tolerance, mission requirements, and operational environment.