What is the primary objective of **CCPA**?

**The primary objective of the CCPA is to grant California residents enforceable rights over their personal information held by businesses, including the rights to know, delete, opt-out of sales or sharing, correct inaccuracies, and limit use of sensitive personal information.** Enacted in 2018 and amended by the CPRA effective January 1, 2023, it rebalances power by requiring transparency in data collection, purposes, retention, and disclosures to third parties, while mandating notices at collection and privacy policies.

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with **CCPA**?

**For-profit businesses doing business in California that meet any one threshold—annual gross revenue exceeding $25 million, buying/selling/sharing personal information of 100,000+ California consumers/households/devices annually, or deriving 50%+ of revenue from such activities—must comply with CCPA.** This applies extraterritorially to global entities processing California residents' data, including technology, retail, and ad tech firms; CPRA eliminated employee/B2B exemptions post-2022.

Does **CCPA** require an external audit or third-party certification?

**No, CCPA does not mandate external audits or third-party certification.** Businesses must implement reasonable security practices and maintain records of consumer requests for 24 months, with periodic internal audits recommended; high-revenue entities face phased cybersecurity audits starting 2028 under CPRA, but enforcement relies on CPPA investigations and self-demonstrated compliance.

How often should an assessment for **CCPA** be performed?

**CCPA assessments, including threshold checks and data inventories, should be performed annually to confirm applicability and identify gaps.** Ongoing monitoring is required for evolving data flows, with risk assessments mandatory by 2026 for high-risk processing (e.g., targeted advertising, biometrics) and regular privacy audits every 6-12 months to ensure notices, DSAR processes, and vendor contracts remain compliant.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with **CCPA**?

**Non-compliance with CCPA incurs civil penalties of $2,500 per unintentional violation and $7,500 per intentional violation (adjusted to $2,663/$7,988 in 2025), enforced by the CPPA and California Attorney General.** A private right of action allows $100-$750 per consumer per incident for unencrypted data breaches due to inadequate security, plus examples like Zoom's $85M settlement and Sephora's $1.2M fine.

An **CCPA** be mapped to other international frameworks?

**Yes, CCPA maps effectively to frameworks like GDPR through shared elements such as data subject access requests, deletion rights, and purpose limitation.** Alignments include 45-day response timelines, data minimization, and vendor contracts, enabling organizations to leverage existing GDPR tools like DPIAs and DSAR portals for unified compliance.

What is the first step to begin implementing **CCPA**?

**The first step to implement CCPA is conducting a legal applicability assessment against the three thresholds and a comprehensive data inventory mapping personal information flows, categories, sources, and recipients.** This 0-3 month scoping phase identifies gaps in notices, consumer request processes, and vendor controls, producing a prioritized roadmap.

What is the primary objective of **FISMA**?

**FISMA establishes a mandatory risk-based framework for federal agencies to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of federal information and information systems.** Enacted in 2002 and modernized in 2014 as part of the E-Government Act, it requires agencies to develop, document, document, implement, and assess agency-wide information security programs using NIST’s Risk Management Framework (RMF) from **NIST SP 800-37**, including the 7 steps: Prepare, Categorize (per **FIPS 199**), Select, Implement, Assess, Authorize, and Monitor controls from **NIST SP 800-53**.

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with **FISMA**?

**FISMA legally mandates compliance for all U.S. federal executive branch civilian agencies and any contractors, vendors, or service providers operating federal information systems or processing federal data.** This includes cloud providers under FedRAMP, state/local entities administering federal programs (e.g., Medicaid), and system integrators; national security systems are excluded and follow separate frameworks. Agency heads, CIOs, CISOs, and Authorizing Officials bear direct responsibility, with oversight by OMB, DHS/CISA, and Inspectors General.

Does **FISMA** require an external audit or third-party certification?

**FISMA requires annual independent evaluations by agency Inspectors General (IGs) or third-party auditors, but does not mandate external certification like ISO.** IGs assess program maturity using CISA’s core/supplemental metrics (e.g., 20 core metrics aligned to NIST CSF functions) across domains like risk management and continuous monitoring, assigning levels from Ad Hoc (1) to Optimized (5); contractors face agency-directed assessments or DCSA audits for CUI under NIST SP 800-171.

How often should an assessment for **FISMA** be performed?

**FISMA mandates annual independent IG evaluations of agency-wide security programs, supplemented by continuous monitoring of controls.** RMF assessments occur during the Assess step and ongoing via **NIST SP 800-137** Information Security Continuous Monitoring (ISCM), with real-time incident reporting to CISA/US-CERT and major incidents to Congress within 30 days; POA&Ms track remediation, feeding quarterly metrics and ATO renewals.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with **FISMA**?

**Non-compliance with FISMA results in unfavorable IG reports, OMB remediation directives, contract termination, debarment, and loss of federal funding for agencies and contractors.** Agencies face reduced mission capability, public exposure via OMB’s annual report to Congress, and CISA operational interventions; contractors risk DFARS violations, False Claims Act fines up to $100,000 per violation, and suspension from bids, as seen in DCSA actions post-SolarWinds.

Can **FISMA** be mapped to other international frameworks?

**FISMA does not officially map to other international frameworks, as it is a U.S.-specific federal statute tied exclusively to NIST standards like SP 800-53 and RMF.** While NIST controls share conceptual alignment with global practices, FISMA implementation focuses solely on U.S. federal requirements without reciprocity or cross-certification provisions.

What is the first step to begin implementing **FISMA**?

**The first step to implement FISMA is the RMF Prepare phase: establish governance, assign roles (e.g., CIO, CISO, Authorizing Official), and create a complete system inventory.** Develop a risk management strategy, security program charter, and authoritative CMDB to define system boundaries, enabling subsequent Categorize (FIPS 199) and control selection.

CCPA vs FISMA | GRADUM

Standards Comparison

CCPA

Mandatory

2020

California regulation for consumer data privacy rights

FISMA

Mandatory

2014

U.S. federal law for risk-based information security management

Quick Verdict

CCPA grants California consumers privacy rights like know, delete, opt-out, while FISMA mandates federal agencies' risk-based security via NIST RMF. Companies adopt CCPA for CA compliance and trust; FISMA for government contracts and resilience.

Data Privacy

CCPA

California Consumer Privacy Act (as amended by CPRA)

Cost

€€€€

Complexity

Medium

Implementation Time

6-12 months

Key Features

Grants consumers rights to know, delete, correct personal data
Mandates opt-out of sales/sharing via GPC and links
Applies to businesses over $25M revenue or 100K CA consumers
Requires notices at collection and comprehensive privacy policies
Imposes $7,500 fines per intentional violation plus breach actions

Cybersecurity

FISMA

Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA)

Cost

€€€€

Complexity

High

Implementation Time

12-18 months

Key Features

NIST RMF 7-step risk management process
Continuous monitoring and diagnostics requirements
FIPS 199 system impact categorization
SP 800-53 tailored security controls
Annual independent IG maturity assessments

Detailed Analysis

A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.

CCPA Details

What It Is

California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), as amended by California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), is a state regulation establishing consumer privacy rights for California residents. It applies extraterritorially to qualifying for-profit businesses, focusing on personal information control through rights-based approach with risk-based obligations.

Key Components

**Consumer rightsKnow/access, delete, correct, opt-out of sales/sharing, limit sensitive personal information use.
**Business obligationsNotices at collection, privacy policies, DSAR handling within 45-90 days, vendor contracts, GPC honoring.
**EnforcementFines up to $7,500 per violation by CPPA and AG; private right of action for breaches.
No formal certification; compliance demonstrated via audits and documentation.

Why Organizations Use It

Mandatory for businesses meeting thresholds ($25M revenue, 100K+ consumers, 50% data revenue).
Mitigates fines, litigation, reputational risks; enables data governance efficiencies.
Builds consumer trust, competitive edge, GDPR alignment for market access.

Implementation Overview

Phased: scoping/gap analysis (0-3 months), policies/contracts (1-4 months), technical controls (2-6 months), operationalization/training, ongoing audits. Targets tech/retail/finance; cross-functional teams, automation tools essential. (178 words)

FISMA Details

What It Is

FISMA (Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014) is a U.S. federal law establishing a mandatory, risk-based framework for protecting federal information and systems. It modernized the 2002 act to emphasize continuous monitoring, incident reporting, and NIST standards, applying to executive branch agencies and contractors handling federal data.

Key Components

**NIST RMF7-step process (Prepare, Categorize, Select, Implement, Assess, Authorize, Monitor).
~1,000 controls in NIST SP 800-53 across 20 families, tailored by FIPS 199 impact levels.
Built on CIA triad; includes privacy via SP 800-53.
Compliance via ATOs, POA&Ms, annual IG assessments, no formal certification but metrics-based maturity.

Why Organizations Use It

Mandated for federal entities; reduces breach risks, enables contracts, builds trust. Strategic benefits include resilience, efficiency, market access via FedRAMP.

Implementation Overview

Phased RMF approach: inventory, categorize, controls, assess/authorize, monitor. Suits all sizes/industries with federal ties; audits by IGs/DCSA. (178 words)

Key Differences

Aspect	CCPA	FISMA
Scope	Consumer privacy rights and data obligations	Federal agency information security programs
Industry	All businesses meeting CA thresholds, global reach	Federal agencies and contractors, US government
Nature	State privacy regulation with enforcement agency	Federal law mandating NIST RMF compliance
Testing	Internal audits, consumer request handling verification	Annual IG assessments, continuous RMF monitoring
Penalties	$2,500-$7,500 per violation, private breach actions	IG reports, contract loss, no direct fines

Scope

CCPA

Consumer privacy rights and data obligations

FISMA

Federal agency information security programs

Industry

CCPA

All businesses meeting CA thresholds, global reach

FISMA

Federal agencies and contractors, US government

Nature

CCPA

State privacy regulation with enforcement agency

FISMA

Federal law mandating NIST RMF compliance

Testing

CCPA

Internal audits, consumer request handling verification

FISMA

Annual IG assessments, continuous RMF monitoring

Penalties

CCPA

$2,500-$7,500 per violation, private breach actions

FISMA

IG reports, contract loss, no direct fines

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about CCPA and FISMA

CCPA FAQ

FISMA FAQ

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CCPA

FISMA

Quick Verdict

CCPA

Key Features

FISMA

Key Features

Detailed Analysis

CCPA Details

What It Is

Key Components

Why Organizations Use It

Implementation Overview

FISMA Details

What It Is

Key Components

Why Organizations Use It

Implementation Overview

Key Differences

Scope

Industry

Nature

Testing

Penalties

Frequently Asked Questions

CCPA FAQ

What is the primary objective of CCPA?

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with CCPA?

Does CCPA require an external audit or third-party certification?

How often should an assessment for CCPA be performed?

What are the consequences of non-compliance with CCPA?

An CCPA be mapped to other international frameworks?

What is the first step to begin implementing CCPA?

FISMA FAQ

What is the primary objective of FISMA?

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with FISMA?

Does FISMA require an external audit or third-party certification?

How often should an assessment for FISMA be performed?

What are the consequences of non-compliance with FISMA?

Can FISMA be mapped to other international frameworks?

What is the first step to begin implementing FISMA?

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Practical Implementation Blueprint for Regulation S-K Item 106: Cybersecurity Governance and Risk Management Disclosures in 10-Ks

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Run Maturity Assessments with GRADUM

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ISO 31000 vs ISO/IEC 42001:2023

WELL vs ISO 22301

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