The Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) is a foundational United States law that mandates a comprehensive framework for protecting government information, operations, and assets.

 The Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) is a foundational United States law that mandates a comprehensive framework for protecting government information, operations, and assets.

Originally passed in 2002 and significantly updated in 2014, it requires all federal agencies to develop, document, and implement agency-wide programs for information security.

1. Key Evolution: 2002 vs. 2014

While the acronym remains the same, the law was modernized to shift from a "check-the-box" compliance mindset to a "continuous monitoring" strategy.

 * FISMA 2002 (Management Act): Focused on establishing the framework and requiring agencies to report on their security policies and financial investments in IT.

 * FISMA 2014 (Modernization Act): Amended the original law to address modern cyber threats. It gave the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) more authority over agency security, streamlined reporting, and focused on real-time security incidents rather than static annual reports.

2. Core Requirements for Compliance

To be FISMA-compliant, agencies and their contractors must follow a specific set of steps, largely guided by NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology):

 * Information System Inventory: Maintain a list of all information systems used by or on behalf of the agency.

 * Risk Categorization: Categorize systems and information as Low, Moderate, or High impact based on the potential damage of a breach (per FIPS 199).

 * System Security Plan (SSP): Create a living document that describes the security controls in place and plans for future improvements.

 * Security Controls: Implement a baseline of controls selected from NIST SP 800-53.

 * Risk Assessments: Regularly identify vulnerabilities and threats to the system.

 * Certification & Accreditation: High-level officials must officially "authorize" the system to operate after reviewing its security posture.

 * Continuous Monitoring: Instead of a once-a-year audit, agencies must use automated tools to monitor their systems for threats 24/7.

3. Roles and Oversight

 * OMB (Office of Management and Budget): Provides final oversight and sets reporting requirements.

 * DHS (Department of Homeland Security): Provides technical assistance, deploys security technologies, and manages federal incident response (CISA).

 * NIST: Develops the actual technical standards and guidelines (like the Risk Management Framework) that agencies must follow.

 * Inspectors General (IG): Conduct annual independent evaluations to ensure their agency is actually following the law.

Why does it matter to the private sector?

If you are a contractor or subcontractor (e.g., providing cloud services, software, or consulting) to a federal agency, you are legally required to meet FISMA standards. Failing to comply can result in the loss of federal funding or the termination of contracts.