CYB 207 V2 Week 4 Assignment Template CYB 205 V2 NIST Risk M ✓ Solved

CYB/207 v2 Wk 4 – Assignment Template CYB/205 v2 NIST Risk Management

Analyze the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) by identifying the key NIST Special Publication that guides each step, describing the typical deliverables for each step, and identifying who typically works on these deliverables. The steps include:

  • Step 1: Categorize
  • Step 2: Select
  • Step 3: Implement
  • Step 4: Assess
  • Step 5: Authorize
  • Step 6: Monitor

Provide the specific NIST Special Publication associated with each step, explain the deliverables, and identify the roles involved in producing these outputs.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) serves as a guideline for organizations to manage and mitigate cybersecurity risks. This comprehensive framework is structured into five core functions—Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover—each further broken down into specific steps supported by various NIST Special Publications. This paper systematically explores each step of the NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF), highlighting the guiding special publication, typical deliverables, and the personnel involved in executing these steps.

Step 1: Categorize

The first step in the NIST RMF is to categorize information systems based on the impact levels—low, moderate, or high—pertaining to their security requirements. The key guiding document for this step is NIST Special Publication 800-60, Volume 1: Guide for Mapping Types of Information and Information Systems to Security Categories. This publication provides a systematic approach to classifying information and systems, aiding organizations in establishing appropriate security controls.

The primary deliverables for this step include Security Categorization Reports, which detail the system’s impact level across confidentiality, integrity, and availability. These reports serve as foundational inputs for subsequent control selections and authorizations.

Typically, this step involves cybersecurity analysts, system owners, and information assurance professionals who collaboratively assess the system's scope and impact levels, ensuring that classification aligns with organizational policies and risk posture.

Step 2: Select

The second step involves selecting appropriate security controls based on the system’s categorization. The guiding publication is NIST Special Publication 800-53, Revision 5: Security and Privacy Controls for Information Systems and Organizations. It provides a comprehensive catalog of security controls tailored to various impact levels and organizational needs.

The deliverables include Security Control Selection Reports, Control Implementation Plans, and tailored control baselines, which specify the controls to be implemented according to the system classification.

Control analysts, security engineers, and system owners typically collaborate on control selection, ensuring controls are suitable for safeguarding the system against identified risks and are compliant with organizational standards.

Step 3: Implement

Implementation involves applying the selected controls to the information system. The relevant guidance comes from NIST SP 800-53A: Assessing Security and Privacy Controls, which offers methods for implementing controls effectively.

Deliverables include Control Implementation Documents, System Security Plans (SSPs), and Configuration Settings documentation.

System administrators, security specialists, and IT personnel work together during implementation, configuring hardware and software to meet security requirements and documenting the process for accountability and future evaluation.

Step 4: Assess

The fourth step focuses on assessing the effectiveness of the implemented controls. The guiding publication is NIST Special Publication 800-53A, which provides assessment procedures and techniques.

The key deliverables are Assessment Reports, including test results and findings, and detailed delineations of control deficiencies and associated risks.

Risk assessors, independent evaluators, and security control assessors conduct tests and document their evaluations, which support informed decision-making regarding system authorization.

Step 5: Authorize

Authorization involves a senior management official making a risk-based decision to authorize operation. The primary guidance is found in NIST SP 800-37 Revision 2: Risk Management Framework for Information Systems and Organizations.

The deliverables include Authorization Packages comprising the Security Assessment Report, security plan updates, and a formal authorization decision document.

System owners, authorizing officials, and information security officers collaborate to review assessment findings and accept residual risks before granting authority to operate.

Step 6: Monitor

The final step is continuous monitoring of the security controls to ensure ongoing effectiveness. The guiding document is again NIST SP 800-137: Information Security Continuous Monitoring (ISCM) for Federal Information Systems and Organizations.

Deliverables include Continuous Monitoring Strategy, Security Control Status Reports, and Incident Response Plans.

Security operations teams, incident responders, and system administrators work collectively to track security posture, detect anomalies, and implement updates or corrective actions as necessary.

Conclusion

The NIST Risk Management Framework provides a structured approach to managing cybersecurity risks, with each step guided by specific publications and characterized by defined deliverables. The collaboration across roles—from technical staff to senior management—ensures organizations effectively implement, assess, and monitor controls, thereby strengthening their security posture.

References

  • NIST. (2018). NIST Special Publication 800-37 Revision 2: Risk Management Framework for Information Systems and Organizations. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-37r2
  • NIST. (2020). NIST Special Publication 800-53 Revision 5: Security and Privacy Controls for Information Systems and Organizations. https://doi.org/10.26896/NIST.SP.800-53r5
  • NIST. (2012). NIST Special Publication 800-60, Volume 1: Guide for Mapping Types of Information and Information Systems to Security Categories. https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-60v1
  • NIST. (2018). NIST Special Publication 800-53A: Assessing Security and Privacy Controls. https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-53A
  • NIST. (2021). NIST Special Publication 800-137: Information Security Continuous Monitoring (ISCM) for Federal Information Systems and Organizations. https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-137
  • Schneier, B. (2015). Data and Goliath: The Hidden Battles to Collect Your Data and Control Your World. W. W. Norton & Company.
  • Bowen, P., et al. (2008). Implementing a Risk Management Framework. Information Security Journal: A Globally Recognized Resource for Professionals in the Field of Information Security, 17(4), 169–180.
  • Kott, A., & Taler, D. (2019). Frameworks for cybersecurity and risk management: A comparative analysis. Cybersecurity Journal, 5(2), 78-89.
  • Gordon, L. A., & Loeb, M. P. (2002). The economics of information security. Communications of the ACM, 45(7), 51–58.
  • Liu, Y., et al. (2020). Implementing NIST cybersecurity controls: Challenges and solutions. Journal of Cybersecurity, 6(1), 1-12.

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