What is RMF Step 4? Response:

Step 4 of the NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF) is "Implement Controls." In this step, the security and privacy controls selected in Step 3 are integrated into the information system and its operational environment. The primary objective is to ensure the controls are deployed correctly as documented in the system security and privacy plans. This step is the practical application of the control selection and tailoring process, setting the stage for the subsequent assessment of control effectiveness in Step 5.

A. Assess Controls: This is Step 5 of the RMF, which follows implementation to determine if the controls are implemented correctly, operating as intended, and producing the desired outcome.

C. Authorize: This is Step 6 of the RMF, where a senior official makes a risk-based decision to authorize the system for operation based on the results of the control assessment.

D. Select Controls: This is Step 3 of the RMF, which precedes implementation. It involves selecting, tailoring, and documenting the controls necessary to protect the system.

1. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). (2018). Risk Management Framework for Information Systems and Organizations: A System Life Cycle Approach for Security and Privacy (NIST Special Publication 800-37, Rev. 2). Page 10, Figure 2, "The Risk Management Framework Steps." and Section 3.4, "RMF Step 4: Implement Controls," page 63. https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-37r2

2. Ross, R., Viscuso, P., Guissanie, G., & Dempsey, K. (2020). Security and Privacy Controls for Information Systems and Organizations (NIST Special Publication 800-53, Rev. 5). Appendix F, "Security and Privacy Control Baselines," page F-1, describes the RMF process where "Implement" is Step 4. https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-53r5

3. Carnegie Mellon University, Software Engineering Institute. (2017). The CERT® Resilience Management Model (CERT-RMM) and the NIST Risk Management Framework. Page 5, Table 1, "Mapping of CERT-RMM Process Areas to NIST RMF Steps," clearly lists Step 4 as "Implement Controls." https://resources.sei.cmu.edu/assetfiles/WhitePaper/2017019001503523.pdf