Are Federal information systems required to be re-authorized at least every three years?

Are Federal information systems required to be re-authorized at least every three years?

• A. True
• B. False

Answer: (B)

Federal information systems are, in fact, required to undergo re-authorization every three years as part of the authorization process outlined by policies such as NIST Special Publication 800-37, which governs the Risk Management Framework. This framework emphasizes continuous monitoring, which includes the necessity of reviewing and reassessing the security controls of a federal information system to ensure they still adequately protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data. The re-authorization process ensures that any changes in the system, environment, or threat landscape are taken into account, thereby updating the security posture as needed. This cyclical review helps maintain compliance with federal regulations and provides assurance that security measures remain effective over time. Therefore, the assertion that federal information systems are not required to be re-authorized at least every three years is incorrect. The three-year re-authorization requirement is a critical component of maintaining strong security governance for federal information systems.

Federal information systems are, in fact, required to undergo re-authorization every three years as part of the authorization process outlined by policies such as NIST Special Publication 800-37, which governs the Risk Management Framework. This framework emphasizes continuous monitoring, which includes the necessity of reviewing and reassessing the security controls of a federal information system to ensure they still adequately protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data.

The re-authorization process ensures that any changes in the system, environment, or threat landscape are taken into account, thereby updating the security posture as needed. This cyclical review helps maintain compliance with federal regulations and provides assurance that security measures remain effective over time.

Therefore, the assertion that federal information systems are not required to be re-authorized at least every three years is incorrect. The three-year re-authorization requirement is a critical component of maintaining strong security governance for federal information systems.