Now that we have built our team, selected our organizational goals, and coalesced around a risk strategy, we’re ready to implement the RMF. This section will walk through each phase of the RMF and provide an implementation strategy.

Preparation phase

The preparation phase is the cornerstone of the NIST RMF, setting the stage for all subsequent actions. This phase involves a series of critical steps designed to ensure a thorough understanding of the system and its environment, alongside a keen awareness of the relevant regulatory compliance requirements. It is during this phase that organizations lay the groundwork for a tailored and effective implementation of the RMF.

Understanding the system and its environment

In the preparation phase, an understanding of the architecture of the organization’s environment is crucial. Here are some considerations to keep in mind:

• System identification and characterization: The first step...