PL – Planning

The RMF Control Family PL, Planning, addresses the need for organizations to have a plan in place for managing the security of their information systems. This plan should include a security categorization guide, system security plans, and contingency plans.

Controls in the PL Security Control Family

The PL Security Control Family includes the following controls:

• PL-1: Policy and Procedures: This control requires organizations to develop and implement a security policy and procedures. This policy should define the roles and responsibilities for security, and the process for managing the security of information systems.
• PL-2: System Security and Privacy Plans: This control requires organizations to develop and implement system security and privacy plans for each information system. These plans should identify the security and privacy requirements for the information system, and the controls that will be implemented to meet those requirements.
• PL-3: Contingency Plans: This control requires organizations to develop and implement contingency plans for each information system. These plans should describe the steps that will be taken to recover from a security incident or other disruption to the information system.

Benefits of Implementing the PL Security Control Family

There are a number of benefits to implementing the PL Security Control Family, including:

• Improved security: The PL Security Control Family helps to improve the security of information systems by ensuring that organizations have a plan in place for managing security. This plan can help to identify and mitigate security risks, and to respond to security incidents quickly and effectively.
• Reduced risk: The PL Security Control Family helps to reduce the risk of security incidents by ensuring that organizations have a plan in place for managing security. This plan can help to prevent security incidents from occurring, and to minimize the impact of security incidents that do occur.
• Compliance: The PL Security Control Family can help organizations comply with applicable laws and regulations, such as the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
• Increased trust: By implementing the PL Security Control Family, organizations can demonstrate to their customers and partners that they are taking steps to protect their information.

How to Implement the PL Security Control Family

To implement the PL Security Control Family, organizations should follow these steps:

1. Develop a security policy and procedures. This policy should define the roles and responsibilities for security, and the process for managing the security of information systems.
2. Develop and implement system security and privacy plans for each information system. These plans should identify the security and privacy requirements for the information system, and the controls that will be implemented to meet those requirements.
3. Develop and implement contingency plans for each information system. These plans should describe the steps that will be taken to recover from a security incident or other disruption to the information system.

Conclusion

The PL Security Control Family is an essential part of the RMF. By implementing the PL Security Control Family, organizations can improve the security of their information systems, reduce the risk of security incidents, comply with applicable laws and regulations, and increase trust with their customers and partners.