FISMA
U.S. federal law mandating risk-based cybersecurity programs
CMMI
Global framework for process maturity and improvement
Quick Verdict
FISMA mandates risk-based cybersecurity for US federal agencies and contractors via NIST RMF, ensuring compliance and resilience. CMMI is a voluntary framework for process maturity across industries, driving predictability and quality. Organizations adopt FISMA for legal obligations, CMMI for performance gains.
FISMA
Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) 2014
Key Features
- Mandates NIST RMF 7-step risk process
- Requires continuous monitoring and diagnostics
- Applies to agencies and contractors alike
- Enforces annual IG independent evaluations
- Streamlines major incident reporting
CMMI
Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI)
Key Features
- Maturity levels 0-5 for staged organizational progression
- 25 Practice Areas in 4 Category Areas (v2.0)
- SCAMPI A/B/C appraisals for benchmarking
- Staged and continuous representations available
- Generic practices ensure process institutionalization
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
FISMA Details
What It Is
Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) 2014 is a U.S. federal law establishing a risk-based framework for protecting federal information systems. It mandates agency-wide information security programs using the NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF), a 7-step process: Prepare, Categorize, Select, Implement, Assess, Authorize, Monitor.
Key Components
- Core elements: FIPS 199 categorization, NIST SP 800-53 controls (20 families), continuous monitoring via SP 800-137.
- Oversight by OMB, DHS/CISA, Inspectors General with annual maturity assessments (Levels 1-5).
- Compliance model: No formal certification; relies on ATO decisions, POA&Ms, metrics-aligned reporting.
Why Organizations Use It
Federal agencies and contractors must comply to avoid penalties, contract loss. Provides risk reduction, resilience, market access (e.g., FedRAMP). Builds trust, aligns cybersecurity with missions, enables informed risk acceptance.
Implementation Overview
Phased RMF approach: governance/inventory, categorize/select controls, implement/assess/authorize, monitor/sustain. Applies to federal executive agencies, contractors handling federal data; suits all sizes via tailoring. Requires independent assessments, no external certification.
CMMI Details
What It Is
Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) is a performance improvement framework developed by Carnegie Mellonās SEI and now governed by ISACA. It provides a structured approach to process maturity across development, services, and acquisition, using maturity and capability levels to enhance predictability and quality.
Key Components
- 4 Category Areas (Doing, Managing, Enabling, Improving) with 12 Capability Areas and 25 Practice Areas in v2.0.
- Maturity Levels 0-5 (staged) and Capability Levels 0-3 (continuous).
- Generic and specific practices for institutionalization.
- SCAMPI appraisals (A/B/C) for certification.
Why Organizations Use It
- Improves delivery predictability, reduces rework, boosts ROI.
- Meets contractual requirements in defense, regulated sectors.
- Mitigates risks via measurement and controls.
- Builds competitive edge, stakeholder trust through benchmarks.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: assessment, piloting, rollout, appraisal.
- Involves gap analysis, training, tooling integration.
- Suits mid-to-large orgs in IT, software, services globally.
- Requires authorized SCAMPI Class A for official ratings. (178 words)
Key Differences
| Aspect | FISMA | CMMI |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Process improvement & maturity | |
| Industry | Software, defense, global industries | |
| Nature | Voluntary process framework | |
| Testing | SCAMPI appraisals (A/B/C) | |
| Penalties | No penalties, lost bids/credibility |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about FISMA and CMMI
FISMA FAQ
CMMI FAQ
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