Compliance Levels (Low, Moderate, High)
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      Low Impact Level

      FedRAMP Low Impact Level Security: Key Controls and Data Types Explained

      Introduction to FedRAMP Low Impact Level

      The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) is a government-wide initiative that provides a standardized approach to security assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring for cloud services. One of the critical components of FedRAMP is the categorization of cloud information systems into different impact levels: Low, Moderate, and High. These levels are determined based on the potential impact on an organization should the data be compromised. This article focuses on the FedRAMP Low Impact Level, explaining its security requirements, acceptable data types, and the significance of implementing appropriate controls.

      Security Requirements and Controls for Low Impact Systems

      Overview of Low Impact Level

      Systems categorized under the FedRAMP Low Impact Level are designed to handle data that, if compromised, would have a minimal impact on the organization, individuals, or assets. According to Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 199, the potential impact at this level is limited, meaning that any unauthorized access, disclosure, or disruption would only cause minor harm or inconvenience. The primary objective for these systems is to maintain basic security controls that are sufficient to protect against low-level threats.

      Key Security Controls

      FedRAMP Low Impact systems must implement a subset of security controls derived from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication 800-53 (NIST SP 800-53). These controls are designed to establish a foundational level of security, focusing on preventing unauthorized access, ensuring the integrity of data, and maintaining the availability of the system. Some of the essential controls include:

      1. Access Control (AC):

        • Implementing basic access control measures to ensure that only authorized individuals can access the system. This includes the use of user IDs, passwords, and other authentication mechanisms to verify the identity of users before granting access.

      2. Awareness and Training (AT):

        • Providing security awareness training to all users of the system, emphasizing the importance of security practices and the potential risks of data breaches. Regular training sessions help reinforce security protocols and ensure that all users understand their roles in maintaining system security.

      3. Audit and Accountability (AU):

        • Maintaining logs of user activities and system events to detect and respond to potential security incidents. These logs should be reviewed regularly to identify any suspicious activities or anomalies that could indicate a security threat.

      4. Configuration Management (CM):

        • Ensuring that the system is configured securely and is regularly updated to protect against vulnerabilities. This includes patch management, secure configuration baselines, and regular assessments to ensure that the system's security posture remains strong.

      5. Identification and Authentication (IA):

        • Implementing mechanisms to verify the identity of users before allowing access to the system. This control involves the use of strong password policies, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and other verification methods to prevent unauthorized access.

      6. System and Communications Protection (SC):

        • Protecting the system and its communications from unauthorized access and disclosure. This includes using encryption for data in transit and implementing network security measures such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems (IDS).

      Acceptable Data Types for FedRAMP Low Impact Systems

      For FedRAMP Low, the types of data that are acceptable include information that is considered to have minimal impact on the organization, individuals, or assets if disclosed or accessed by unauthorized individuals. This category typically includes data that is publicly available or would not cause significant harm if compromised. Here are some examples of acceptable data types for FedRAMP Low:

      1. Public Information

      • Definition: Information that is intended to be available to the general public.
      • Examples: Public-facing website content, press releases, and publicly available datasets. This type of information is already accessible to the public and poses minimal risk if exposed.

      2. Basic Organizational Information

      • Definition: General contact information and non-sensitive internal policies or procedures.
      • Examples: Office addresses, business hours, employee directories without personal details. This data is often shared externally and does not contain sensitive information that would require additional protection.

      3. Low-Sensitivity Operational Information

      • Definition: Data that is not mission-critical and its unauthorized disclosure would cause only minor impact.
      • Examples: Routine administrative information, general communication not containing sensitive content. While this information is part of the organization's operations, it does not pose a significant risk if compromised.

      4. Non-Sensitive Customer Information

      • Definition: Information about customers or clients that does not include personal identifiers or financial details.
      • Examples: General feedback from customers, non-personalized service usage statistics. This type of data is typically used for business analysis and improvement without exposing sensitive customer details.

      5. Non-Sensitive Financial Information

      • Definition: Financial data that is not critical to the organization's operations and would not result in significant harm if disclosed.
      • Examples: High-level budget summaries, general financial reports without detailed sensitive information. This information is often shared for transparency and does not pose a significant risk if accessed by unauthorized parties.

      Importance of Proper Data Classification

      It is crucial to ensure that data classified as FedRAMP Low does not include any sensitive personal information (PII), sensitive financial information, or any data that, if compromised, could lead to a moderate or high impact on the organization or individuals. Proper classification of data helps organizations apply the appropriate security controls and ensures compliance with FedRAMP standards.

      Conclusion

      FedRAMP Low Impact Level systems are designed to handle data that requires minimal security controls due to its low sensitivity. By implementing the necessary security controls and properly classifying data, organizations can ensure that their low-impact systems remain secure and compliant with federal standards. Understanding the types of data that are acceptable under this classification helps organizations manage their security posture effectively while protecting federal information.

      For more detailed guidance on implementing FedRAMP Low Impact Level controls, refer to NIST's official publications and the FedRAMP documentation.