What Is Continuous Monitoring in RMF?

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Risk Management Framework (RMF)  provides a structured approach to risk management. Continuous monitoring is one of the essential steps. NIST 800-137 defines information security continuous monitoring as an organization’s “ongoing awareness of their information security posture, vulnerabilities, and threats,” and addresses the assessment and analysis of security control effectiveness. By implementing continuous monitoring, organizations can regularly assess and address security risks, ensuring secure systems over time. As a simple description, continuous Authority to Operate (cATO) is ongoing authorization for continuous delivery after achieving the initial Authorization to Operate (ATO). cATO, or what some may refer to as “NIST continuous ATO,” embeds compliance into the software development lifecycle by creating strong controls, exceptional documentation, and notably, rigorous continuous monitoring for security and privacy risks, so organizations deliver secure, high-quality software at the speed critical missions demand.

What Is Meant by Continuous Monitoring?

Continuous monitoring refers to the ongoing process of tracking and evaluating the security and privacy status of an information system. It promotes effective, near real-time risk management with automation and modern practices to monitor controls and changes to the system or the environment so an Authorizing Official (AO) can determine whether to authorize the continued operation of a system or the use of inherited common controls. Continuous monitoring contributes to ongoing authorization with information to support ongoing risk determinations after the initial system or common control authorization.

What Is Continuous Monitoring in RMF?

An RMF continuous monitoring plan involves real-time detecting, reporting, and responding to changes that may affect a system’s security posture, using information from security controls. It may include activities like:

• Configuration management and control to track all hardware and software configurations, ensuring changes prevent unauthorized modifications.‍
• Security impact analysis to understand how modifications, like software updates or hardware upgrades, affect the system’s overall security.‍
• Assessment of security controls with regular scans and audits to detect vulnerabilities and deviations from security policies.

Organizations must evaluate controls for correct implementation, operation, and efficacy with regard to security or privacy requirements.

What Is the RMF Continuous Monitoring Strategy?

An RMF continuous monitoring strategy defines the monitoring frequency for implemented controls, the approach to ongoing control assessment, and how or what tools will be in place to conduct ongoing assessments. The strategy may also define the security and privacy reporting requirements and recipients. Key components of this strategy include establishing a security baseline, conducting regular security control assessments, utilizing automated tools for continuous monitoring, and implementing incident response procedures.

This short RMF continuous monitoring checklist demonstrates what this strategy typically involves:

• Establish a Baseline: Defining the initial security posture of the system and environment of operation.‍
• Ongoing Assessments: Regularly evaluating the effectiveness of controls (either implemented or inherited).
• Ongoing Risk Response: Identifying mitigation actions or risk acceptance decisions based on ongoing monitoring, risk assessments, incomplete plans of action/milestones.
• Reporting and Documentation: Updating plans, assessment reports, and plans and action/milestones based on the results of continuous monitoring. Regularly reporitng the security and privacy posture of the system to the AO and organizational leadership.

What Is an Example of Continuous Monitoring?

Let’s consider a continuous monitoring example in a U.S. Air Force setting for a system that monitors the integrity of flight operations. The system employs machine learning and AI to continuously analyze network traffic, user behaviors, and system activities.

The system scans for anomalies such as unusual login attempts, unauthorized data access, or irregular communication patterns between devices. If the system detects a potential threat, such as an attempt to access classified flight operation plans from an unauthorized device, it immediately alerts the cybersecurity team. The team can then take swift action to investigate and neutralize the threat, ensuring the security of sensitive information.Using an RMF continuous monitoring plan template, the Air Force outlines the specific steps for deploying and maintaining this threat detection system. This template includes setting up automated monitoring tools, conducting regular vulnerability assessments, implementing compliance checks, and detailing incident response protocols. By following this plan, the Air Force ensures its flight operations network remains secure and resilient against cyber threats, demonstrating the effectiveness of continuous monitoring in maintaining national security.

Achieve Continuous Monitoring with Rise8

Ongoing authorization, or cATO, is a disciplined approach to constantly understanding a system’s risk profile based on building trust through transparency and enabling technologies that create a secure, compliant, agile environment. With the right partner, you can regain control of your digital transformation initiatives and deliver high-quality software with reduced risk, faster than you ever have before.

Ready to transform your software delivery strategy? Contact Rise8 today to learn how we enable large enterprises to continuously deliver valuable software users love.