FISMA Compliance

No longer just a government concern, the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA), which requires federal agencies to develop, implement, and manage a robust, risk-based, information security program is now being adopted as a standard across industries like healthcare, financial, and leading tech due to contractual requirements with government agencies.

Navigating the FISMA process can be time consuming and arduous for organizations. That’s where we step in. We’re an experienced team of FISMA compliance professionals who help organizations achieve and maintain their FISMA requirements. Trust Us to Get You There.

We’re Your Expert FISMA Advisor

The 38North team has experience and expertise in the FISMA compliance process. We take the guesswork out of it, helping you to quickly and efficiently reach compliance. We have the knowledge to explain FISMA requirements in plain language, so you can focus on developing an effective security plan for your organization. With us on your side, you can trust that your FISMA compliance process will be successful.

Our Advisory Process

What is the FISMA Process?

The NIST Risk Management Framework provides a seven-step framework that ensures a modular, holistic approach to FISMA compliance.

Preparation

Categorization

Selection

Implementation

Assessment

Authorization to Operate (ATO)

Continuous Monitoring

Preparation

for risk management through essential activities critical to design and implementation of a risk management program.

Categorization

of systems and information through the performance of an impact analysis.

Selection

of relevant NIST SP 800-53 controls based on standard risk assessments.

Implementation

and documentation of the controls.

Assessment

of control implementation to determine adherence and efficacy.

Authorization to Operate (ATO)

by a senior-level official, indicating that the controls are in place or mitigating controls are effective.

Continuous Monitoring

of control implementation evolution of the system’s risk profile.

FISMA Challenges

Obtaining a FISMA compliance can be a challenging process due to the complexity and rigor of the security requirements. Overall, these challenges can cause delays and increased costs.

Cybersecurity Sharing

FISMA requires the use of multiple protocols and standards when sharing data. This may make it difficult to ensure secure data transmission between different organizations.

Establishing a strong, business-led FISMA program can help get all teams on the same page and make sharing of cybersecurity data easier.

Expertise

FISMA is a complex regulation with various standards and controls that may be difficult to comprehend. Organizations must invest time and resources to thoroughly understand FISMA to meet compliance requirements and keep their critical data secure. We’re FISMA experts that help take care of this.

Continuous Improvement

In order to comply with FISMA, organizations must remain vigilant in monitoring their cybersecurity posture and documenting changes made to their security architecture. Regular reviews of systems and processes are necessary to identify evolving threats and ensure adherence to FISMA regulations. Failing to do so can cause an organization to fall out of compliance and be subject to regulatory fines or other repercussions.

38North FISMA Support Solutions

FISMA Compliance can be a huge headache. We get it. But we love it. 38North’s FISMA consultants have been dealing with FISMA compliance for years. We’re well-known in the cloud security community for being easy to work with and incredibly thorough. Bringing both technical and business acumen to the table, we’ll ensure your cloud-enabled service achieves, and keeps, FISMA compliance.

Get Started Now

FISMA Gap Analysis

Have a new FISMA requirement, but don’t know how to get started? Our FISMA gap analysis educates you on the process while gauging how your information system would fare against FISMA standards.

We’ll also let you know how much it will cost to complete a full security authorization, identify any risks and/or challenges, and focus your attention on the most critical items to get you ready for action. This is your first step if you’re completely new to the world of FISMA.

Security Authorization

We work with your IT and security personnel to get your system FISMA-compliant. We focus on minimum requirements to get you through the process in the shortest time possible.

The result is a complete authorization package with an executive summary detailing all critical risks matched to a recommended remediation strategy. We even provide a continuous monitoring plan, once you’ve been granted an authority to operate (ATO), to prolong the longevity of your authorization.

FISMA Continuous Monitoring

Security authorization is no longer a paperwork exercise that’s done once every three years. The NIST Risk Management Framework requires system owners to continuously track system changes that may affect security controls, and reassess control effectiveness.

Take the worry out of continuous monitoring by developing an actionable continuous monitoring plan that will keep pace with the ever-changing technology and cybersecurity landscapes.

Independent Assessment

Control assessment. Security test and evaluation. NIST 800-53A assessment. Annual assessment. Whatever it is, we can do it. 38North consultants have conducted countless assessments in the government and commercial sectors — from simple, closed systems to complex, multinational operating environments.

We don’t just scan and give you a report, either. We analyze all your controls, deploy automated testing and assess the business and security risk to your system and organization. You also receive a prioritized list of recommendations tailored to your business and mission requirements, so you can develop an immediate and meaningful action plan for remediation.

FISMA Training

Rooted in the belief that an organization should be able maintain its own compliance efforts, we offer tailored FISMA training to match the unique needs and experience of each of our clients — to help you build sound, unassailable continuous monitoring programs.

We have half-day, one-day and two-day FISMA training courses on the NIST Risk Management Framework, security authorization and continuous monitoring. Recognizing that security awareness and training is a critical aspect of an effective security program, our courses are an ideal complement to our other FISMA services.

Your FISMA Compliance Starts Here

Book an initial FISMA conversation with one of our global security experts today and we’ll show you how we can help you achieve and maintain FISMA compliance while transforming your security posture.

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