Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA)
Data ProtectionDefinition
US legislation requiring federal agencies to implement security programs.
Technical Details
The Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) was enacted in 2002 and requires federal agencies to develop, document, and implement an information security program to protect government information, operations, and assets against natural or man-made threats. FISMA mandates the creation of security policies, risk assessments, continuous monitoring, and the establishment of security controls in accordance with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) guidelines, specifically NIST Special Publication 800-53, which provides a catalog of security and privacy controls for federal information systems.
Practical Usage
In practice, federal agencies utilize FISMA to establish a framework for securing sensitive government data. Agencies must conduct annual assessments of their information systems, ensuring compliance with FISMA requirements. This includes creating and maintaining an inventory of information systems, performing risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities, implementing appropriate security controls, and reporting on the security posture of their systems. FISMA also influences the cybersecurity practices of contractors and third parties that handle federal information.
Examples
- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) implements FISMA by conducting regular assessments of its information systems and reporting security incidents to the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP).
- The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) follows FISMA compliance by ensuring all its information systems undergo rigorous security testing and evaluation processes, documented through a System Security Plan (SSP).
- The Department of Defense (DoD) utilizes FISMA to enforce cybersecurity measures across its various branches, including implementing strict access controls and continuous monitoring of its network environments.