My thoughtful read on this document is FIPS 199 Process for System Security Categorization. FIPS 199 acknowledges that identifying an information system’s security category necessitates further investigation and must take into account the security categories of all information kinds that are present on the information system. The highest level (i.e., high water mark) for any one of these security objectives that has been established for the types of information resident on the information system is represented by the potential security impact levels assigned to each of the respective security objectives (confidentiality, integrity, and availability) for an information system. Computer programs and information are both components of information systems. The processing, storing, and transmission of information is made easier by programs running in an information system (also known as system processes), which are required for the company to carry out its fundamental business operations. These system-processing operations could also fall under other categories of security and need to be protected
Hi Marylyn,
Yes, this document stresses the importance of security categorization before starting a security plan. This facilitates effective risk management and allows appropriate control measures to be applied based on the results of the risk assessment process.
This publication has a section on identifying information types. This is extremely important in determining the confidentiality of the data. If the type of information is not properly identified, the proper controls might be not be implemented causing further issues. The document specifically identifies government information and categorizes the levels. This is important before determining impact levels as well.
Identifying information types as step 1 to the process is crucial. properly categorizing the information types (input, stored, processed, and/or output data) from each system is laying the groundwork for impact levels.
Assigning security impact levels and security categorizations for information types and information systems has been well demonstrated by 4 major steps. These steps eventually drives the selection of baseline security controls.
1. Identify Information Types – agencies shall identify all of the applicable information types (input, stored, processed, and/or output data from each system)
2. Select Provisional Impact Level – based upon the impact assessment criteria identified for the security objectives and types of potential losses identified, the organizational entity must assign impact levels and consequent security categorization
3. Review Provisional Impact Levels and Adjust/Finalize Information Type Impact Levels – review the appropriateness of the provisional impact levels based on the organization, environment, mission, use, and data sharing.
4. Assign System Security Category – assign the overall information system impact level based on the highest impact level for the system security objectives
Hi Aayush! I felt that the guidance was very clear and straight forward. I think organizations can implement automation to ensure this process is completed for every system that is being built before it goes live. They would also be able to review what stage of the process they are at. What are your thoughts on this?
This document helps organizations identify different types of information and map them to appropriate security categories. This includes a section on “Identification of Mission-based Information Types” which provides guidance on how to identify different types of information based on their mission criticality and how they support the organization’s overall mission. This section emphasizes the importance of understanding the organization’s mission and goals in order to properly identify and protect the information that supports them. It emphasizes the need to identify different types of information based on their mission criticality and the negative consequences that would result from unauthorized access, alteration, or loss of that information. This process of identification is specific to individual departments and agencies or to specific sets of departments and agencies within the organization.
One item that I learned from the reading was that there are four business areas of government operations. They are service for citizens, mode of delivery, support delivery of services, and management of government services. These four areas respectively represent the purpose of government, the mechanisms the government uses to achieve its purpose, the support functions necessary to conduct government operations, and the resource management functions that support all areas of the government’s business.
i learnt The administrative tasks that support resource management give the government the ability to function well. The direct service missions and constituencies that will ultimately be provided will establish the security objectives and impacts for resource management functions. Most likely, the IT infrastructure maintenance data (such as password files and file and network access settings) are stored, processed, and controlled by all Federal government information systems. To prevent potential corruption, misuse, or abuse of system information and processes, a fundamental set of security controls will be applied to them.
This document emphasizes the importance of accurate security categorization for federal agencies, as well as a methodology for information system owners and managers to use in establishing accurate security categorization for their information assets. An incorrect security categorization analysis can lead to organizations either overprotecting the information system, wasting valuable security resources, or underprotecting the information system, putting critical operations and assets at risk. The mission and critical business areas of an organization have a strong influence on security categories.
Security categorization of IT assets is the first step in implementing an effective risk management program and is extremely important in the System Development Lifecycle as well as the certification and accreditation process to meet regulatory requirements. Senior leadership oversight in the security categorization process is required to ensure that the next steps in the NIST Risk Management Framework are carried out effectively and consistently.
The great point mentioned, in the SDLC, security classification helps ensure that appropriate security controls are integrated into the design and development of IT assets and that the assets comply with the necessary security standards and regulations, such as the FIPS 199…
This publication talks about security categorization as it provides a vital step in integrating security into the government agency’s business and information technology management functions and establishes the foundation for security standardization amongst their information systems. Security categorization is valuable to the business and it supports the agency missions. However, I found it fascinating that, an incorrect information system impact analysis (i.e., incorrect FIPS 199 security categorization) may result in the agency either over protecting the information system thus wasting valuable security resources, or under protecting the information system and placing important operations and assets at risk. So, it is very critical for the agency to implement it the right way.
The special publication 800-60 provides a guidance on how to map information types and information systems to security categorization by leveraging the FIPS-199 security categorization standard. The process of mapping involves four steps.
1. Identify information types – Types of information stored, processed, transmitted.
2. Select provisional impact levels – Using FIPS-199 determine security categorization.
3. Review and adjust impact levels – Discuss provisional impact levels with information owners. Consider legal and regulatory requirements. Refine categorization.
4. Assign system security category – After reviewing the category of the information type, determine the security category for the information system.
At the end of the four steps, it is important to review the overall categorization, get it approved and document it.
The process of security categorization for federal information and information systems. The security categorization process is a risk management activity that helps agencies determine the level of security required for their systems based on the potential impact to the agency and its mission if a security breach were to occur.
The guide defines three impact levels for information systems: low, moderate, and high. The impact level is determined based on the potential impact to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the information processed, stored, or transmitted by the system.
The security categorization process is the first step in implementing the minimum security requirements outlined in FIPS 199 and NIST SP 800-53, and is a critical component of the risk management process. The guide provides recommendations and guidance on how to conduct a security categorization, including defining the scope, assessing the impact, and documenting the results.
This document discusses the importance of security classification and its importance in choosing security controls to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of systems and their information. According to the damage assessment of potential threats to these three categories of information, it can be divided into low, medium, and high impact levels. The method of assigning security impact level by information type can be divided into four parts:
1. Identifying information type
2. Select temporary impact levels
3. Review and adjust impact levels
4. Assign system security categories.
Information classification affects the selection, implementation, and evaluation of other steps such as security controls, authorization of information systems, and monitoring of security status. Therefore, it is critical to document the security classification process.
A key point this reading really hit home for me was, it all starts with security categorization. Without proper categorization for each and every information system, it is nearly impossible to effectively evaluate risk and therefore time, money, and energy is either overly spent hardening low level systems or under cutting protection where it’s truly needed. Figure 1. from the reading really drives the point of starting with proper security categorization. Additionally, the reading also states that even after an information system has been categorized, it’s important to revisit as the business needs shift or just out of best practice as systems change over time.
I agree with you that without proper categorization for each and every information system, it is nearly impossible to effectively evaluate risk. Because a proper categorization will help assess potential impact and also give direction as to where resources should be allocated.
One key take away from the reading is how security categories are based on the potential impact on an organization should certain events occur. Security categorization is important because they are used in conjunction with vulnerability and threat information in assessing the risk to an
organization. It gives the organization an overview of its risk evaluation hence how it should analyze impact and plan resources for mitigation. Therefore, it is important for organizations to have security categorization because establishing an appropriate security category for an information type simply requires determining the potential impact for each security objective associated with the particular
information type.
NIST 800 60 V1R1 Guide for Mapping Types of Information and Information Systems to Security Categories helps organizations properly classify information and systems according to the level of security required to protect them. It provides a framework for classifying information systems, including a process for identifying and classifying information systems based on the type of information they process, store, or transmit and the potential impact on the organization if that information is compromised. The security classification process is an important step in developing an effective security program. It helps organizations identify and prioritize their information assets based on the level of risk they pose and ensure that appropriate security controls are in place to protect those assets.
I have learned that you should adjust your needs based on certain guidelines according to what information holds priority. The NIST framework will help you set up certain guidelines in order for you to help protect information properly. You should have information categorized because it will help better integrate the into the systems functions. There is a strong connection between mission and information and we should better organize in a way where it is cost effective.
Hi Parmita! I share your thoughts. I came across an article (link attached) that discusses further benefits as far as data categorization is concerned. My take is on the awareness creation.
Using FIPS 199, a four (4) step methodology has to be followed in order to assign security impact levels and security categorizations for information types and information systems. Below are the steps.
Step 1: Identify information types.
Step 2: Select the provisional impact level.
Step 3: Review provisional impact levels and adjust/finalize information type impact levels.
Step 4: Assign system security category.
This document is one of NIST’s foundational “how to build an information security program” documents. It explains the why and how to evaluate information security types, risks, and impacts to effectively establish control categorization. This is the steps that allow you confidently say that a system is low, medium, or high and how that applies to selecting the controls that are relevant in NIST 800-53
My thoughtful read on this document is FIPS 199 Process for System Security Categorization. FIPS 199 acknowledges that identifying an information system’s security category necessitates further investigation and must take into account the security categories of all information kinds that are present on the information system. The highest level (i.e., high water mark) for any one of these security objectives that has been established for the types of information resident on the information system is represented by the potential security impact levels assigned to each of the respective security objectives (confidentiality, integrity, and availability) for an information system. Computer programs and information are both components of information systems. The processing, storing, and transmission of information is made easier by programs running in an information system (also known as system processes), which are required for the company to carry out its fundamental business operations. These system-processing operations could also fall under other categories of security and need to be protected
Hi Marylyn,
Yes, this document stresses the importance of security categorization before starting a security plan. This facilitates effective risk management and allows appropriate control measures to be applied based on the results of the risk assessment process.
This publication has a section on identifying information types. This is extremely important in determining the confidentiality of the data. If the type of information is not properly identified, the proper controls might be not be implemented causing further issues. The document specifically identifies government information and categorizes the levels. This is important before determining impact levels as well.
Hi Asha,
Identifying information types as step 1 to the process is crucial. properly categorizing the information types (input, stored, processed, and/or output data) from each system is laying the groundwork for impact levels.
Assigning security impact levels and security categorizations for information types and information systems has been well demonstrated by 4 major steps. These steps eventually drives the selection of baseline security controls.
1. Identify Information Types – agencies shall identify all of the applicable information types (input, stored, processed, and/or output data from each system)
2. Select Provisional Impact Level – based upon the impact assessment criteria identified for the security objectives and types of potential losses identified, the organizational entity must assign impact levels and consequent security categorization
3. Review Provisional Impact Levels and Adjust/Finalize Information Type Impact Levels – review the appropriateness of the provisional impact levels based on the organization, environment, mission, use, and data sharing.
4. Assign System Security Category – assign the overall information system impact level based on the highest impact level for the system security objectives
Hi Aayush! I felt that the guidance was very clear and straight forward. I think organizations can implement automation to ensure this process is completed for every system that is being built before it goes live. They would also be able to review what stage of the process they are at. What are your thoughts on this?
This document helps organizations identify different types of information and map them to appropriate security categories. This includes a section on “Identification of Mission-based Information Types” which provides guidance on how to identify different types of information based on their mission criticality and how they support the organization’s overall mission. This section emphasizes the importance of understanding the organization’s mission and goals in order to properly identify and protect the information that supports them. It emphasizes the need to identify different types of information based on their mission criticality and the negative consequences that would result from unauthorized access, alteration, or loss of that information. This process of identification is specific to individual departments and agencies or to specific sets of departments and agencies within the organization.
One item that I learned from the reading was that there are four business areas of government operations. They are service for citizens, mode of delivery, support delivery of services, and management of government services. These four areas respectively represent the purpose of government, the mechanisms the government uses to achieve its purpose, the support functions necessary to conduct government operations, and the resource management functions that support all areas of the government’s business.
Hello Jill,
That’s a good take. These four areas were properly explained in this publication.
i learnt The administrative tasks that support resource management give the government the ability to function well. The direct service missions and constituencies that will ultimately be provided will establish the security objectives and impacts for resource management functions. Most likely, the IT infrastructure maintenance data (such as password files and file and network access settings) are stored, processed, and controlled by all Federal government information systems. To prevent potential corruption, misuse, or abuse of system information and processes, a fundamental set of security controls will be applied to them.
This document emphasizes the importance of accurate security categorization for federal agencies, as well as a methodology for information system owners and managers to use in establishing accurate security categorization for their information assets. An incorrect security categorization analysis can lead to organizations either overprotecting the information system, wasting valuable security resources, or underprotecting the information system, putting critical operations and assets at risk. The mission and critical business areas of an organization have a strong influence on security categories.
Security categorization of IT assets is the first step in implementing an effective risk management program and is extremely important in the System Development Lifecycle as well as the certification and accreditation process to meet regulatory requirements. Senior leadership oversight in the security categorization process is required to ensure that the next steps in the NIST Risk Management Framework are carried out effectively and consistently.
Hi Samuel,
The great point mentioned, in the SDLC, security classification helps ensure that appropriate security controls are integrated into the design and development of IT assets and that the assets comply with the necessary security standards and regulations, such as the FIPS 199…
This publication talks about security categorization as it provides a vital step in integrating security into the government agency’s business and information technology management functions and establishes the foundation for security standardization amongst their information systems. Security categorization is valuable to the business and it supports the agency missions. However, I found it fascinating that, an incorrect information system impact analysis (i.e., incorrect FIPS 199 security categorization) may result in the agency either over protecting the information system thus wasting valuable security resources, or under protecting the information system and placing important operations and assets at risk. So, it is very critical for the agency to implement it the right way.
The special publication 800-60 provides a guidance on how to map information types and information systems to security categorization by leveraging the FIPS-199 security categorization standard. The process of mapping involves four steps.
1. Identify information types – Types of information stored, processed, transmitted.
2. Select provisional impact levels – Using FIPS-199 determine security categorization.
3. Review and adjust impact levels – Discuss provisional impact levels with information owners. Consider legal and regulatory requirements. Refine categorization.
4. Assign system security category – After reviewing the category of the information type, determine the security category for the information system.
At the end of the four steps, it is important to review the overall categorization, get it approved and document it.
The process of security categorization for federal information and information systems. The security categorization process is a risk management activity that helps agencies determine the level of security required for their systems based on the potential impact to the agency and its mission if a security breach were to occur.
The guide defines three impact levels for information systems: low, moderate, and high. The impact level is determined based on the potential impact to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the information processed, stored, or transmitted by the system.
The security categorization process is the first step in implementing the minimum security requirements outlined in FIPS 199 and NIST SP 800-53, and is a critical component of the risk management process. The guide provides recommendations and guidance on how to conduct a security categorization, including defining the scope, assessing the impact, and documenting the results.
This document discusses the importance of security classification and its importance in choosing security controls to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of systems and their information. According to the damage assessment of potential threats to these three categories of information, it can be divided into low, medium, and high impact levels. The method of assigning security impact level by information type can be divided into four parts:
1. Identifying information type
2. Select temporary impact levels
3. Review and adjust impact levels
4. Assign system security categories.
Information classification affects the selection, implementation, and evaluation of other steps such as security controls, authorization of information systems, and monitoring of security status. Therefore, it is critical to document the security classification process.
A key point this reading really hit home for me was, it all starts with security categorization. Without proper categorization for each and every information system, it is nearly impossible to effectively evaluate risk and therefore time, money, and energy is either overly spent hardening low level systems or under cutting protection where it’s truly needed. Figure 1. from the reading really drives the point of starting with proper security categorization. Additionally, the reading also states that even after an information system has been categorized, it’s important to revisit as the business needs shift or just out of best practice as systems change over time.
Hi Nicholas,
I agree with you that without proper categorization for each and every information system, it is nearly impossible to effectively evaluate risk. Because a proper categorization will help assess potential impact and also give direction as to where resources should be allocated.
One key take away from the reading is how security categories are based on the potential impact on an organization should certain events occur. Security categorization is important because they are used in conjunction with vulnerability and threat information in assessing the risk to an
organization. It gives the organization an overview of its risk evaluation hence how it should analyze impact and plan resources for mitigation. Therefore, it is important for organizations to have security categorization because establishing an appropriate security category for an information type simply requires determining the potential impact for each security objective associated with the particular
information type.
NIST 800 60 V1R1 Guide for Mapping Types of Information and Information Systems to Security Categories helps organizations properly classify information and systems according to the level of security required to protect them. It provides a framework for classifying information systems, including a process for identifying and classifying information systems based on the type of information they process, store, or transmit and the potential impact on the organization if that information is compromised. The security classification process is an important step in developing an effective security program. It helps organizations identify and prioritize their information assets based on the level of risk they pose and ensure that appropriate security controls are in place to protect those assets.
I have learned that you should adjust your needs based on certain guidelines according to what information holds priority. The NIST framework will help you set up certain guidelines in order for you to help protect information properly. You should have information categorized because it will help better integrate the into the systems functions. There is a strong connection between mission and information and we should better organize in a way where it is cost effective.
Hi Parmita! I share your thoughts. I came across an article (link attached) that discusses further benefits as far as data categorization is concerned. My take is on the awareness creation.
https://oworkers.com/what-is-data-categorization-and-why-is-it-important/
Using FIPS 199, a four (4) step methodology has to be followed in order to assign security impact levels and security categorizations for information types and information systems. Below are the steps.
Step 1: Identify information types.
Step 2: Select the provisional impact level.
Step 3: Review provisional impact levels and adjust/finalize information type impact levels.
Step 4: Assign system security category.
This document is one of NIST’s foundational “how to build an information security program” documents. It explains the why and how to evaluate information security types, risks, and impacts to effectively establish control categorization. This is the steps that allow you confidently say that a system is low, medium, or high and how that applies to selecting the controls that are relevant in NIST 800-53