RMF Control PM-12: Insider Threat Program requires organizations to implement an insider threat program that includes a cross-discipline insider threat incident handling team. Insider threat programs are designed to detect, prevent, and mitigate insider threats. Insider threats are threats to an organization that come from within the organization, such as employees, contractors, and vendors.
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 PM-12: Insider Threat Program is one of the controls in the PM family, which addresses personnel security.
Insider threats can be very difficult to detect and prevent, as they often come from trusted individuals. Insider threats can also be very damaging, as they can give attackers access to sensitive information and systems.
Insider threat programs can help organizations to detect, prevent, and mitigate insider threats by:
- Raising awareness of insider threats: Insider threat programs can help to raise awareness of insider threats among employees and other stakeholders. This can help to deter insider threats and make it more likely that insider threats are reported.
- Detecting insider threats: Insider threat programs can help organizations to detect insider threats by monitoring employee activity and looking for suspicious activity.
- Preventing insider threats: Insider threat programs can help to prevent insider threats by implementing security controls, such as access control systems and data loss prevention systems.
- Mitigating insider threats: Insider threat programs can help organizations to mitigate insider threats by having a plan in place to respond to insider threat incidents.
Benefits of Implementing RMF Control PM-12
There are a number of benefits to implementing RMF Control PM-12, including:
- Improved security posture: Insider threat programs can help organizations to improve their security posture by helping them to detect, prevent, and mitigate insider threats.
- Reduced risk of security incidents: Insider threat programs can help to reduce the risk of security incidents by making it more difficult for insider threats to succeed.
- Improved compliance: Many regulations require organizations to have insider threat programs in place.
How to Implement RMF Control PM-12
To implement RMF Control PM-12, organizations should:
- Develop an insider threat program. The insider threat program should include a policy, procedures, and training materials.
- Establish a cross-discipline insider threat incident handling team. The insider threat incident handling team should be responsible for responding to and investigating insider threat incidents.
- Implement the insider threat program. This includes training employees on the insider threat program and implementing security controls to detect, prevent, and mitigate insider threats.
- Monitor the insider threat program to ensure that it is effective.
Examples of Insider Threat Program Controls
Some examples of insider threat program controls include:
- Employee awareness training: Insider threat programs should include employee awareness training to educate employees about insider threats and how to report suspicious activity.
- Security information and event management (SIEM) systems: SIEM systems can be used to monitor employee activity for suspicious behavior.
- Data loss prevention (DLP) systems: DLP systems can be used to prevent employees from transferring sensitive data outside of the organization.
- Access control systems: Access control systems can be used to restrict access to sensitive information and systems.
Conclusion
RMF Control PM-12: Insider Threat Program is an important control that can help organizations to improve their security posture, reduce the risk of security incidents, and improve compliance. By implementing RMF Control PM-12, organizations can implement an insider threat program that includes a cross-discipline insider threat incident handling team.
Additional Tips for Implementing RMF Control PM-12
- Involve stakeholders in the insider threat program: Organizations should involve stakeholders, such as IT staff, security staff, and human resources staff, in the insider threat program. This will help to ensure that the insider threat program is comprehensive and effective.
- Tailor the insider threat program to the organization’s specific needs: Organizations should tailor the insider threat program to their specific needs, such as the size and complexity of their organization, the types of information that they handle, and the threats that they face.
- Regularly review and update the insider threat program: Organizations should regularly review and update the insider threat program to ensure that it is effective and up-to-date.