What is the primary function of the System Security Plan?

What is the primary function of the System Security Plan?

• A. Document security policies
• B. Establish a baseline configuration
• C. Outline system risk assessments
• D. Describe security controls

Answer: (D)

The primary function of the System Security Plan (SSP) is to describe security controls. The SSP serves as a comprehensive document that outlines the security requirements for a system, detailing the specific security controls in place to protect the system and its data. These controls are aligned with regulatory and organizational compliance requirements, providing a clear understanding of how risks are managed within the system. In addition, the SSP integrates various components such as the roles and responsibilities for implementing those controls, the overall security framework adopted by the organization, and how the effectiveness of the controls will be assessed over time. By detailing these security controls, the SSP ensures that stakeholders have a guide to maintaining the system's security posture and handling any vulnerabilities. While the other choices relate to important aspects of information security management, they do not encompass the overarching purpose of the SSP in the same way. Documenting security policies, establishing baseline configurations, and outlining system risk assessments are all tasks that may inform parts of a broader security management framework but are not the central focus of the SSP itself. The SSP primarily aims to communicate the specific security measures in place and how they support the overall security strategy for the system.

The primary function of the System Security Plan (SSP) is to describe security controls. The SSP serves as a comprehensive document that outlines the security requirements for a system, detailing the specific security controls in place to protect the system and its data. These controls are aligned with regulatory and organizational compliance requirements, providing a clear understanding of how risks are managed within the system.

In addition, the SSP integrates various components such as the roles and responsibilities for implementing those controls, the overall security framework adopted by the organization, and how the effectiveness of the controls will be assessed over time. By detailing these security controls, the SSP ensures that stakeholders have a guide to maintaining the system's security posture and handling any vulnerabilities.

While the other choices relate to important aspects of information security management, they do not encompass the overarching purpose of the SSP in the same way. Documenting security policies, establishing baseline configurations, and outlining system risk assessments are all tasks that may inform parts of a broader security management framework but are not the central focus of the SSP itself. The SSP primarily aims to communicate the specific security measures in place and how they support the overall security strategy for the system.