NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) 800-53 Risk Assessment Template
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NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) 800-53 Risk Assessment Template
The NIST 800-53 Risk Assessment Template is a comprehensive guide for effective IT risk management, from system scoping to documentation and final approvals.
1
Identify the scope of the system to be assessed
2
Create an inventory of all IT Assets
3
Identify key personnel responsible for the system
4
Gather system documentation
5
Determine risk assessment methodology to be used
6
Execute threat and vulnerability identification process
7
Evaluation of security controls
8
Perform risk determination
9
Document findings and prepare preliminary risk assessment report
10
Approval: Preliminary risk assessment report
11
Review and revise risk assessment report based on feedback
12
Approval: Revised risk assessment report
13
Create a risk treatment plan
14
Approval: Risks identified for treatment
15
Develop an implementation strategy for risk treatment plan
16
Monitor the implementation of the risk treatment plan
17
Prepare final risk assessment report and risk treatment plan report
18
Approval: final risk assessment report and risk treatment plan report
19
Present final reports to relevant stake holders
20
Update risk register and other relevant documentation
Identify the scope of the system to be assessed
This task involves determining the specific boundaries and functions of the system that will be assessed. The scope will help focus the risk assessment process and ensure all relevant components are considered. The outcome of this task is a clear understanding of the system's boundaries and functionalities.
Create an inventory of all IT Assets
This task is essential for understanding the system's components and their potential risks. It requires creating a comprehensive list of all IT assets associated with the system. The inventory should include hardware, software, network devices, storage devices, and any other relevant assets. The outcome of this task is an inventory list that will serve as a foundation for the risk assessment process.
Identify key personnel responsible for the system
In order to conduct an effective risk assessment, it is crucial to identify the individuals who are responsible for the system's operation and management. This task involves determining the key personnel, such as system administrators, IT managers, and other relevant stakeholders. The outcome of this task is a clear understanding of the personnel involved and their roles in the risk assessment process.
Gather system documentation
System documentation provides important insights into the system's design, configuration, and operation. This task involves gathering all relevant documentation, such as system architecture diagrams, network diagrams, configuration files, user manuals, and any other documents that provide insights into how the system operates. The outcome of this task is a collection of system documentation that will aid in the risk assessment process.
Determine risk assessment methodology to be used
This task requires selecting a risk assessment methodology that aligns with the organization's needs and objectives. The chosen methodology will guide the overall risk assessment process and determine the approach for identifying, analyzing, and evaluating risks. The outcome of this task is a clear understanding of the selected risk assessment methodology and its application in the process.
1
NIST SP 800-30
2
ISO 27005
3
Octave Allegro
4
FAIR
5
MAGERIT
Execute threat and vulnerability identification process
This task involves identifying potential threats and vulnerabilities to the system. It requires conducting a thorough analysis of the system's components, network infrastructure, software applications, and other relevant factors. The outcome of this task is a comprehensive list of potential threats and vulnerabilities that will be used for further analysis and evaluation.
Evaluation of security controls
Security controls play a critical role in mitigating risks associated with the system. This task involves evaluating the effectiveness of existing security controls, such as firewalls, access control mechanisms, encryption protocols, and intrusion detection systems. The evaluation will determine if the controls are properly implemented and capable of mitigating identified risks. The outcome of this task is an assessment of the effectiveness of security controls.
Perform risk determination
Risk determination is a crucial step in the risk assessment process. This task involves analyzing the identified threats, vulnerabilities, and the effectiveness of existing security controls to determine the level of risk associated with the system. The outcome of this task is a comprehensive understanding of the identified risks and their potential impact on the system.
Document findings and prepare preliminary risk assessment report
This task requires documenting all the findings from the risk assessment process. It involves summarizing the identified risks, vulnerabilities, and recommendations for risk mitigation. The outcome of this task is a preliminary risk assessment report that provides an overview of the identified risks and initial recommendations for reducing those risks.
Approval: Preliminary risk assessment report
Will be submitted for approval:
Document findings and prepare preliminary risk assessment report
Will be submitted
Review and revise risk assessment report based on feedback
This task involves reviewing the preliminary risk assessment report and incorporating any feedback or suggestions. It requires revising the report to ensure clarity, accuracy, and relevance. The outcome of this task is an updated risk assessment report that reflects the input received during the review process.
Approval: Revised risk assessment report
Will be submitted for approval:
Review and revise risk assessment report based on feedback
Will be submitted
Create a risk treatment plan
Once the risks have been identified, it is important to develop a plan for mitigating those risks. This task involves creating a risk treatment plan that outlines the specific actions and measures that will be taken to reduce or eliminate the identified risks. The outcome of this task is a risk treatment plan that provides a roadmap for addressing the identified risks.
Approval: Risks identified for treatment
Will be submitted for approval:
Create a risk treatment plan
Will be submitted
Develop an implementation strategy for risk treatment plan
This task requires developing an implementation strategy for the risk treatment plan. It involves identifying the necessary resources, assigning responsibilities, and establishing timelines for implementing the planned risk mitigation actions. The outcome of this task is a clear implementation strategy that ensures the effective execution of the risk treatment plan.
Monitor the implementation of the risk treatment plan
Implementing the risk treatment plan is an ongoing process that requires continuous monitoring and oversight. This task involves establishing mechanisms for monitoring the progress of risk mitigation actions, evaluating their effectiveness, and making necessary adjustments. The outcome of this task is a monitoring system that ensures the risk treatment plan's successful implementation.
Prepare final risk assessment report and risk treatment plan report
This task involves summarizing the findings from the risk assessment process and the risk treatment plan in a final report. It requires synthesizing the information, highlighting key recommendations, and presenting the results in a clear and concise manner. The outcome of this task is a final risk assessment report and risk treatment plan report that can be shared with relevant stakeholders.
Approval: final risk assessment report and risk treatment plan report
Will be submitted for approval:
Prepare final risk assessment report and risk treatment plan report
Will be submitted
Present final reports to relevant stake holders
This task involves presenting the final risk assessment report and risk treatment plan report to the relevant stakeholders. It requires effective communication skills to convey the findings, recommendations, and implementation strategy to key decision-makers. The outcome of this task is an informed and engaged group of stakeholders who understand the risks associated with the system and the proposed risk mitigation actions.
Update risk register and other relevant documentation
Risk assessment is an iterative process that requires regular updates to the risk register and other relevant documentation. This task involves documenting the findings, changes, and updates resulting from the risk assessment process. The outcome of this task is an updated risk register and other documentation that serve as a valuable resource for future assessments and risk management activities.