Enterprise GRC Platform
Tyndora for FISMA
FISMA (Federal Information Security Management Act) mandates information security requirements for federal agencies and federal information systems. FISMA compliance requires NIST SP 800-53 implementation across three impact levels: Low, Moderate, and High. Tyndora automates NIST control implementation, security planning, assessment preparation, and continuous monitoring.
FISMA — Federal Information Security Standard
FISMA applies to all federal information and information systems, including systems operated by federal contractors on behalf of the government.
FISMA Requirements
- Applicability: Federal agencies and federal systems
- Control Framework: NIST SP 800-53 (impact-based baseline)
- Impact Levels: Low, Moderate, High (determines control set)
- Assessment: Annual re-assessment and continuous monitoring
Who Must Comply with FISMA?
Federal agencies, federal information systems, and contractors operating systems on behalf of the government.
- ✓ Federal agencies
- ✓ Federal systems and networks
- ✓ Federal contractors
- ✓ System integrators
- ✓ Cloud service providers to government
Explore the NIST 800-53 Control Families
FISMA compliance is built on the NIST Risk Management Framework and NIST SP 800-53 controls. Click any control family to see representative controls and what each one requires.
Representative NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 control families — not the full catalog. Under FISMA, systems are first categorized as Low, Moderate, or High impact using FIPS 199, and that categorization drives which control baseline (and how many controls and enhancements) applies. Control identifiers and titles follow NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5.
FISMA Impact Levels — Risk-Based Categorization
Impact levels determine the appropriate NIST 800-53 control baseline for your system.
FISMA Low Impact
Systems where damage would be limited or localized. Typical for internal administrative systems.
Controls Required
~150 NIST 800-53 controls (Low baseline)
Impact If Breached
Limited adverse effects
Typical Systems
Internal admin systems
Explore Low Impact →
FISMA Moderate Impact
Systems where damage could be significant. Typical for systems affecting citizens or operations.
Controls Required
~285 NIST 800-53 controls (Moderate baseline)
Impact If Breached
Significant adverse effects
Typical Systems
Public-facing systems, operations
Explore Moderate Impact →
FISMA High Impact
Systems where damage would be severe. Critical infrastructure and sensitive systems.
Controls Required
~370 NIST 800-53 controls (High baseline)
Impact If Breached
Severe adverse effects
Typical Systems
Critical infrastructure
Explore High Impact →
FISMA Implementation in Tyndora
From system categorization to security planning to continuous monitoring.
NIST 800-53 Control Implementation
FISMA requires implementation of NIST 800-53 controls based on your system's impact level. Tyndora implements all required controls, generates documentation, and prepares evidence for assessment.
- System categorization and impact level determination
- NIST 800-53 control baseline selection and implementation
- Security plan (SSP) development and maintenance
- Control assessment and evidence collection
FISMA IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS
System Categorization
Determine impact level (Low, Moderate, High)
Baseline Selection
Select appropriate NIST 800-53 control baseline
SSP Development
Create System Security Plan documentation
Assessment & ATO
Annual assessment and Authority to Operate
FISMA Assessment & Continuous Monitoring
FISMA requires annual security assessment and continuous monitoring. Tyndora maintains evidence, tracks control compliance, and supports the annual assessment cycle.
Annual Assessment
- ✓ Test all controls
- ✓ Collect evidence
- ✓ Document findings
- ✓ ATO renewal
Continuous Monitoring
- ✓ Monthly monitoring
- ✓ Vulnerability scanning
- ✓ Configuration audits
- ✓ Access reviews
POA&M Management
- ✓ Track findings
- ✓ Plan remediation
- ✓ Monitor progress
- ✓ Closure evidence
Compliance Reporting
- ✓ FISMA scorecard
- ✓ OMB reporting
- ✓ Agency dashboards
- ✓ Audit support
Achieve FISMA Compliance
Book a discovery and we'll assess your system's impact level and create a roadmap to FISMA compliance.
Book a discovery