The U.S. federal government takes a structured, risk-based approach to cybersecurity, relying on a combination of laws, regulations, and standards to protect sensitive information and critical systems. At the foundation of this effort is the Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA), which establishes cybersecurity requirements for federal agencies and contractors handling government data. To support FISMA compliance, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) develops and maintains NIST 800-53, a comprehensive framework of security and privacy controls designed to safeguard federal information systems.

Beyond NIST 800-53, agencies also follow the Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS), which define specific security requirements for cryptographic protections, authentication, and other critical security functions. Together, FISMA, NIST 800-53, and FIPS create a unified approach to cybersecurity, ensuring federal systems and organizations working with the government meet rigorous security standards.

This section breaks down how these standards intersect, apply to different organizations, and impact security requirements, helping you understand their role in federal compliance, risk management, and information security best practices.