NIST 800-53 Version 5 High-Moderate-Low

The 800-53 attestation is the most rigorous assessment available and provides the highest standard of attestation assurances to your customers.

Modules include:

NIST 800-53 System Security Plan (SSP)
NIST 800-53 Security Assessment Report (SAR)
Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 199 Categorization
Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M)
NIST 800-53 Preamble
NIST 800-53 Index
AC Access Control
AT Awareness and Training
AU Audit and Accountability
CA Certification, Accreditation, and Security Assessment
CM Configuration Management
CP Contingency Planning
IA Identification and Authentication
IR Incident Response
MA Maintenance
MP Media Protection
PE Physical and Environmental Protection
PL Planning
PM Program Management
PS Personnel Security
PT Personally Identifiable Information Processing and Training
RA Risk Assessment
SA System and Services Acquisition
SC System and Communications Protection
SI System and Information Integrity
SR Supply Chain Risk Management

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Control baselines in NIST SP 800-53

Control baselines in NIST SP 800-53 establish the minimum security controls and privacy requirements for various information systems. These are based on the importance and impact level of different information systems. NIST standards work at three different levels, with a single privacy baseline applied to all of them.

Low impact control baselines apply to information systems in which a data breach would have fairly limited impact on individuals, assets or organizational operations. Moderate impact baselines are used when a breach or interruption would have significant consequences, and High impact control baselines are needed if a breach would have severe consequences, like something that could impact the nation.

NIST SP 800-53 Overlapping with Other Security Frameworks

NIST SP 800-53 compliance standards essentially serve as an underpinning security framework with fairly specific technical controls. It easily overlaps with other security frameworks that provide broader risk management protocols. For example, FedRAMP uses certain security controls that are mandatory for cloud providers who work with federal agencies or have government contracts; 800-53 are its baseline controls, as they are for the ISO 27001 security standard.

It is a flexible foundation for a system security plan that other frameworks can build upon and enhance. This is essential for organizations that work with cloud security or in the federal sector.

Our NIST 800-53 Audit Process

Our security audits begin with an overall assessment of your organization’s risk management process. We look at various assets and how security breaches might impact them; that will determine the controls we recommend.

We seek out security gaps and how they impact NIST 800-53 requirements, then we offer remediation recommendations and monitor them to assure effectiveness. All of these procedures around security assessments are thoroughly documented.

The beauty of NIST 800 53 compliance standards is in its flexibility. Its security requirements are adaptable to the level of impact a data breach would have on your assets or clientele.

Key Benefits of Our Services

Our NIST compliance services are thorough and detailed, helping get your organization through a process that can often be unwieldy and time consuming. We know our way around the ever-changing requirements, the testing and continuous monitoring, and the thorough documentation required to meet NIST standards.

Letting Continuum GRC handle your audit needs will get the job done sooner and without hiccups. Plus, we’ll help all key personnel step into the roles and responsibilities that are needed to work within continuous compliance standards. It’s an investment in your commitment to data security that pays off in trust among your clients.

FAQ

How long does a NIST 800-53 audit take to complete?

The process to audit your organization’s particular security controls can take a few weeks or several months. It largely depends on the readiness of your organization, how complicated your IT environment is, and how many controls are being reviewed and assessed. The time needed to implement any remediation may also have an affect.

How much does a NIST 800-53 audit cost?

A NIST compliance audit of this type can run between $5,000 and $15,000. That’s for the assessment. If remediation is needed, the costs may increase depending on the scope of the project. The costs may than fall anywhere between $35,000 and $115,000.

What do I receive when my NIST 800-53 audit is complete?

You’ll get an audit report detailing the review of all of your organization’s security and privacy controls. The report will verify the effectiveness of your risk management practices, and make any recommendations for improvement. If all is in line, you’ll receive Authorization to Operate (ATO).

How long is a NIST 800-53 report valid?

The validity of the report for NIST 800-53 compliance is somewhat fluid; it’s more of a framework than anything else. The validity depends on the specific requirements of the agency requesting it. Typically, it’s good for a year, but maintaining continuous monitoring is a good idea. You never know when it might be needed.

Who is involved in a NIST 800-53 audit?

Besides the audit team (internal or external), the audit will require input from those involved in the day-to-day operations of your systems, IT personnel, and any compliance officers in your organization. Also, anyone who can provide overall context around the business impact that may result from different security threats.

What are the steps to achieve NIST 800-53 compliance?

Know which systems and processes are covered by the requirements. Classify your systems (low, medium, high) and select appropriate security controls. Continuously monitor these controls and assess their effectiveness. Create and maintain a thorough documentation plan, reporting security incidents, threats, and remediation, plus controls and training.

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