RMF Control SR-5: Acquisition Strategies, Tools, and Methods requires organizations to implement strategies, tools, and methods to protect their supply chains and ensure that they are acquiring secure information systems and components.
Supplemental Guidance
The Risk Management Framework (RMF) is a cybersecurity framework that provides a process for managing cybersecurity risk to systems and organizations. RMF Control SR-5: Acquisition Strategies, Tools, and Methods is one of the controls in the SR family, which addresses supply chain risk management.
Supply chain risk management is the process of managing the risks associated with the acquisition of information systems and components from third-party suppliers. Supply chain attacks are attacks that exploit vulnerabilities in the supply chain to gain access to information systems or data.
Benefits of Implementing RMF Control SR-5
There are a number of benefits to implementing RMF Control SR-5, including:
- Reduced risk of supply chain attacks: By implementing strategies, tools, and methods to protect their supply chains, organizations can reduce the risk of supply chain attacks.
- Improved security posture: By acquiring secure information systems and components, organizations can improve their security posture and reduce the risk of security incidents.
- Improved compliance: Many regulations require organizations to have controls in place to manage supply chain risk. By implementing RMF Control SR-5, organizations can improve their compliance with these regulations.
How to Implement RMF Control SR-5
To implement RMF Control SR-5, organizations should:
- Develop and implement strategies to protect their supply chains. These strategies may include conducting security assessments of suppliers, using multiple suppliers for critical components, and requiring suppliers to implement security controls.
- Select and implement tools and methods to assess the security of information systems and components. These tools and methods may include vulnerability scanners, code analysis tools, and penetration testing.
- Regularly review and update their supply chain risk management program to ensure that it is effective and up-to-date.
Examples of Acquisition Strategies, Tools, and Methods
Some examples of acquisition strategies, tools, and methods include:
- Acquisition strategies:
- Conducting security assessments of suppliers
- Using multiple suppliers for critical components
- Requiring suppliers to implement security controls
- Security assessment tools and methods:
- Vulnerability scanners
- Code analysis tools
- Penetration testing
Conclusion
RMF Control SR-5: Acquisition Strategies, Tools, and Methods is an important control that can help organizations to reduce the risk of supply chain attacks, improve their security posture, and improve compliance. By implementing RMF Control SR-5, organizations can implement strategies, tools, and methods to protect their supply chains and ensure that they are acquiring secure information systems and components.
Additional Tips for Implementing RMF Control SR-5
- Involve stakeholders in the supply chain risk management process: Organizations should involve stakeholders, such as IT staff, security staff, and business owners, in the supply chain risk management process. This will help to ensure that the supply chain risk management process is aligned with the organization’s business needs and security requirements.
- Use a risk-based approach to supply chain risk management: Organizations should use a risk-based approach to supply chain risk management to ensure that the most critical suppliers and components are protected.
- Regularly review and update the supply chain risk management process: Organizations should regularly review and update the supply chain risk management process to ensure that it is effective and up-to-date.
By following these tips, organizations can effectively implement RMF Control SR-5 and improve their security posture.