How Often is FISMA Compliance Checked?
The Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) compliance checks are essential to ensure that federal agencies and their contractors adhere to established cybersecurity standards. FISMA mandates that agencies conduct annual reviews of their information security programs. These reviews are crucial for identifying vulnerabilities and assessing the effectiveness of security controls.
In addition to annual assessments, continuous monitoring plays a vital role in maintaining compliance. Agencies are required to implement a continuous monitoring strategy, which includes regular updates to risk assessments, security controls, and ongoing evaluation of security incidents. This approach enables organizations to address potential risks in real-time rather than waiting for a formal annual review.
Furthermore, FISMA compliance is evaluated through a combination of internal audits and external reviews. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) also requires agencies to report their compliance status on a semi-annual basis. In practice, this means that while formal assessments occur yearly, the actual compliance monitoring is an ongoing process that includes real-time evaluations and adjustments as needed.
In summary, FISMA compliance checks are primarily performed annually, but continuous monitoring and semi-annual reporting ensure that agencies maintain compliance consistently throughout the year.