Streamline your cybersecurity with our NIST 800-53 Risk Assessment Template. Identify, analyze, mitigate risks and periodically review your security controls.
1
Identify system components and architecture
2
Determine the criticality and sensitivity
3
Identify and document the potential threats and vulnerabilities
4
Conduct a preliminary risk assessment
5
Document the controls currently in place
6
Review the effectiveness of current controls
7
Determine the likelihood of a security incident
8
Approval: Likelihood Determination
9
Analyze the impact of potential security incidents
10
Determine the level of risk
11
Approval: Risk Level Determination
12
Recommend controls to mitigate identified risks
13
Approval: Control Recommendations
14
Document results in the NIST 800-53 risk assessment template
15
Obtain necessary approvals for the risk assessment document
16
Implement the recommended controls
17
Review and update the risk assessment periodically
Identify system components and architecture
In this task, you will identify and document the various system components and architecture. This includes hardware, software, networks, and any other relevant elements. Understanding the system's structure is crucial for a comprehensive risk assessment. You will need to gather information about the system from different sources and stakeholders. Are there any challenges in obtaining this information? How will you address them? The desired result is a clear and comprehensive understanding of the system's components and architecture.
1
Interview stakeholders
2
Documentation review
3
System diagram creation
4
System observation
5
Other
Determine the criticality and sensitivity
This task involves determining the criticality and sensitivity of the system components identified in the previous task. Criticality refers to the potential impact of a compromise or failure of the component on the overall system, while sensitivity refers to the potential damage that could result from unauthorized access or disclosure of information. Consider factors such as the importance of the component to the organization's mission, the value of the information it processes, and the potential harm that could result from its compromise. The desired result is a clear understanding of the criticality and sensitivity of each component.
1
1. High
2
2. Medium
3
3. Low
4
4. Not applicable
1
1. High
2
2. Medium
3
3. Low
4
4. Not applicable
1
Confidentiality
2
Integrity
3
Availability
4
Regulatory compliance
5
Reputation
Identify and document the potential threats and vulnerabilities
In this task, you will identify and document potential threats and vulnerabilities to the system components. Threats are events or circumstances that have the potential to harm the system, while vulnerabilities are weaknesses or gaps that can be exploited by threats. Consider internal and external threats, such as natural disasters, unauthorized access, malware, or social engineering. List potential threats and vulnerabilities for each system component. The desired result is a comprehensive list of potential threats and vulnerabilities.
Conduct a preliminary risk assessment
In this task, you will conduct a preliminary risk assessment by analyzing the potential threats and vulnerabilities identified in the previous task. Assess the likelihood and impact of each threat-vulnerability pair on the system components. Likelihood refers to the probability of a threat exploiting a vulnerability, while impact refers to the potential harm that could result from the exploitation. Consider both quantitative and qualitative factors in your assessment. The desired result is a preliminary risk assessment for each threat-vulnerability pair.
1
1. Very low
2
2. Low
3
3. Medium
4
4. High
5
5. Very high
1
1. Very low
2
2. Low
3
3. Medium
4
4. High
5
5. Very high
Document the controls currently in place
In this task, you will document the controls currently in place for each system component. Controls are measures or countermeasures implemented to mitigate risks. Identify and describe the controls that are already in place to address the identified threats and vulnerabilities. Include technical, administrative, and physical controls. The desired result is a clear documentation of the controls in place for each system component.
1
Yes
2
No
3
Partially
Review the effectiveness of current controls
This task involves reviewing the effectiveness of the current controls in place. Evaluate whether the controls adequately address the identified threats and vulnerabilities. Consider their effectiveness in terms of mitigation, detection, and response. Are the controls functioning as intended? Have any control weaknesses or gaps been identified? The desired result is an assessment of the effectiveness of the current controls.
1
1. Highly effective
2
2. Effective
3
3. Moderately effective
4
4. Ineffective
Determine the likelihood of a security incident
In this task, you will determine the likelihood of a security incident occurring based on the identified threats, vulnerabilities, and current controls. Assess the probability of a successful exploitation of vulnerabilities by threats. Consider factors such as security controls, security awareness training, and incident response capabilities. The desired result is an evaluation of the likelihood of a security incident.
1
1. Very low
2
2. Low
3
3. Medium
4
4. High
5
5. Very high
Approval: Likelihood Determination
Will be submitted for approval:
Determine the likelihood of a security incident
Will be submitted
Analyze the impact of potential security incidents
This task involves analyzing the potential impact of security incidents on the system components and the organization. Consider the consequences of successful exploitation of vulnerabilities by threats. Evaluate the impact in terms of financial loss, reputation damage, legal consequences, and operational disruption. The desired result is an analysis of the potential impact of security incidents.
1
1. Very low
2
2. Low
3
3. Medium
4
4. High
5
5. Very high
Determine the level of risk
In this task, you will determine the level of risk for each threat-vulnerability pair. Calculate the risk level based on the likelihood and impact assessments. Consider any risk tolerance thresholds or criteria set by the organization. The desired result is a clear determination of the risk level for each threat-vulnerability pair.
1
1. High
2
2. Medium
3
3. Low
Approval: Risk Level Determination
Will be submitted for approval:
Determine the level of risk
Will be submitted
Recommend controls to mitigate identified risks
In this task, you will recommend controls to mitigate the identified risks. Based on the risk assessments, identify and describe specific controls that can be implemented to reduce the likelihood and impact of security incidents. Consider controls at the technical, administrative, and physical levels. The desired result is a clear set of control recommendations for each risk.
1
Yes
2
No
3
Partially
Approval: Control Recommendations
Will be submitted for approval:
Recommend controls to mitigate identified risks
Will be submitted
Document results in the NIST 800-53 risk assessment template
In this task, you will document the results of the risk assessment in the NIST 800-53 risk assessment template. Fill in the template with the information collected and analyzed throughout the risk assessment process. Provide clear and concise descriptions of the identified threats, vulnerabilities, controls, likelihood, impact, risk levels, and control recommendations. The desired result is a completed NIST 800-53 risk assessment template.
Obtain necessary approvals for the risk assessment document
This task involves obtaining necessary approvals for the risk assessment document. Identify the relevant stakeholders or approvers who need to review and approve the risk assessment. Communicate the purpose, scope, findings, and recommendations of the risk assessment to the stakeholders. Address any questions or concerns they may have. The desired result is obtaining the necessary approvals for the risk assessment document.
Implement the recommended controls
In this task, you will implement the recommended controls to mitigate the identified risks. Follow the control implementation plan, ensuring that each recommended control is properly implemented and tested. Monitor the effectiveness of the controls after implementation. The desired result is the successful implementation of the recommended controls.
1
Control implementation
2
Testing
3
Effectiveness monitoring
4
Documentation update
5
Other
Review and update the risk assessment periodically
This task involves reviewing and updating the risk assessment periodically to ensure its accuracy and relevance. Set a frequency for reviewing and updating the risk assessment based on organizational changes, new threats or vulnerabilities, or changes in the business environment. Consider any compliance requirements or best practices. The desired result is a regularly reviewed and updated risk assessment.
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