Sherlocked Security – NIST 800-53 / CSF Assessment

Comprehensive Security Framework Implementation & Assessment Against NIST Standards

1. Statement of Work (SOW)

Service Name: NIST 800-53 / Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) Assessment
Client Type: Government Contractors, Defense, Healthcare, Financial Services, Critical Infrastructure, and Any Regulated Organization
Service Model: NIST 800-53 Framework Gap Analysis, CSF Assessment, and Control Implementation
Compliance Coverage: NIST 800-53, NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF), FISMA, FedRAMP, NIST SP 800-171

Assessment Types:

Control Maturity Assessment (NIST 800-53)
Gap Analysis Against NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF)
Risk Assessment & Impact Analysis
Incident Response & Disaster Recovery Review
Compliance Reporting & Documentation

2. Our Approach

[Framework Mapping] → [Gap & Maturity Analysis] → [Control Design Review] → [Operational Effectiveness Testing] → [Risk & Impact Assessment] → [Remediation & Policy Implementation] → [Post-Audit Support & Continuous Monitoring]

3. Methodology

[Framework Selection & Scope Definition] → [Control Mapping to NIST 800-53 & CSF] → [Control Design Review] → [Control Maturity Assessment] → [Gap Analysis & Risk Assessment] → [Report Generation & Recommendations]

4. Deliverables to the Client

NIST 800-53 / CSF Gap Analysis Report
NIST 800-53 Control Maturity Assessment Report
Risk Assessment & Impact Analysis Report
Detailed Recommendations for Security & Privacy Control Improvements
NIST 800-53 Control Mapping to Organizational Policies
Incident Response & Recovery Process Recommendations
Compliance & Remediation Roadmap
Post-Assessment Continuous Monitoring Plan

5. What We Need from You (Client Requirements)

Access to current security policies, processes, and IT architecture
Information on any existing risk management programs
Access to key personnel for interviews and evidence gathering
Access to incident response and disaster recovery plans
Documentation of any regulatory compliance requirements (e.g., FedRAMP, FISMA)
Data regarding organizational assets, infrastructure, and critical systems
Timeline and objectives for NIST 800-53/CSF alignment

6. Tools & Technology Stack

Framework Mapping & Gap Analysis Tools: OneTrust, Archer, Qualys
Risk Assessment Tools: RiskWatch, FAIR, RiskLens
SIEM (Security Information and Event Management): Splunk, LogRhythm, SolarWinds
Continuous Monitoring Tools: Datadog, Sysdig, Splunk
Security Policy Management: Confluence, ServiceNow, PolicyTech
Incident Response & Monitoring Tools: CrowdStrike, FireEye, Palo Alto Networks

7. Engagement Lifecycle

1. Kickoff & Scope Definition → 2. Framework Mapping & Gap Analysis → 3. NIST 800-53 Control Review → 4. CSF Maturity & Risk Assessment → 5. Recommendations & Remediation → 6. Post-Assessment Continuous Monitoring

8. Why Sherlocked Security?

Feature	Sherlocked Advantage
Deep NIST Expertise	In-depth knowledge and experience with NIST 800-53, CSF, and FISMA.
Comprehensive Gap & Risk Assessment	Detailed analysis of control maturity, gaps, and operational risks.
Tailored Remediation Plan	Custom remediation and risk management strategies aligned with NIST standards.
Incident Response & Recovery Expertise	Review and strengthen incident response, business continuity, and disaster recovery plans.
Ongoing Support & Continuous Monitoring	Post-assessment support and continuous monitoring to maintain NIST compliance.

9. Real-World Case Studies

Federal Contractor’s NIST 800-53 Compliance

Issue: A federal contractor needed to align with NIST 800-53 for a contract renewal but had gaps in controls related to system security and access management.
Impact: The client faced the risk of losing the contract and required immediate remediation.
Solution: Sherlocked Security conducted a gap analysis against NIST 800-53, implemented necessary controls, and strengthened system security measures.
Outcome: The contractor passed their NIST 800-53 assessment, ensuring compliance and continued eligibility for government contracts.

Healthcare Provider Achieves NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) Alignment

Issue: A healthcare provider struggled with aligning their cybersecurity posture to the NIST CSF to meet industry standards.
Impact: Inadequate controls jeopardized sensitive patient data and could lead to compliance violations.
Solution: Sherlocked Security performed a CSF maturity assessment, identified gaps, and designed a remediation plan to implement stronger controls and policies.
Outcome: The healthcare provider successfully aligned with NIST CSF, improving overall cybersecurity posture and reducing risk exposure.

10. SOP – Standard Operating Procedure

Initial Kickoff & Scope Definition
- Define the scope of NIST 800-53/CSF assessments.
- Identify critical systems and assets to include in the assessment.
- Confirm key stakeholders and establish timelines.
Framework Mapping & Control Design Review
- Map existing security controls against NIST 800-53 and CSF standards.
- Review design of existing controls for effectiveness.
- Evaluate control maturity and operational alignment.
Gap & Risk Assessment
- Perform a detailed gap analysis to identify missing or underdeveloped controls.
- Assess risks associated with gaps and vulnerabilities.
- Calculate potential impacts to organizational security and data protection.
Incident Response & Disaster Recovery Review
- Evaluate incident response plans, business continuity, and disaster recovery processes.
- Identify areas for improvement in response capabilities.
Report Generation & Recommendations
- Generate a comprehensive report detailing findings, gaps, and risks.
- Provide recommendations for enhancing security controls and reducing risk exposure.
Remediation & Implementation
- Work with the client to implement recommended controls and remediation steps.
- Monitor progress and ensure alignment with NIST 800-53/CSF requirements.
Post-Assessment Continuous Monitoring
- Establish a plan for continuous monitoring of NIST controls.
- Provide ongoing support to ensure long-term compliance and improvement.

11. NIST 800-53 / CSF Assessment Checklist

1. Framework Selection & Scope Definition

Define the scope of the assessment (systems, processes, and data).
Ensure all critical assets and services are covered by the assessment.
Identify the responsible parties and necessary resources for the assessment.

2. Control Mapping & Gap Analysis

Map current security controls to NIST 800-53/CSF criteria.
Identify gaps in control coverage or maturity.
Review existing risk management strategies and their alignment with NIST standards.

3. Control Maturity Assessment

Assess the maturity of existing controls using a defined maturity model.
Evaluate how well controls are implemented and maintained.
Measure the effectiveness of controls in mitigating risks.

4. Risk Assessment & Impact Analysis

Conduct a risk assessment based on identified gaps and vulnerabilities.
Quantify the potential impacts of risks to the organization.
Prioritize remediation based on risk severity and likelihood.

5. Incident Response & Disaster Recovery Review

Review incident response and business continuity plans.
Evaluate the effectiveness of recovery processes and response times.
Ensure that disaster recovery plans align with NIST 800-53 and CSF requirements.

6. Recommendations & Remediation

Develop a roadmap for addressing gaps and weaknesses in security controls.
Provide detailed recommendations for improving controls and mitigating risks.
Assist in implementing remediation strategies.

7. Continuous Monitoring & Reporting

Implement monitoring tools to track the effectiveness of controls.
Regularly assess and report on the status of NIST 800-53/CSF compliance.
Provide ongoing support for continuous improvement.

NIST 800-53 – CSF Assessment