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

**FISMA's primary objective is to establish 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 U.S. federal law (44 U.S.C.), it requires agencies to develop, document, implement, and maintain comprehensive agency-wide information security programs using NIST's Risk Management Framework (RMF) from SP 800-37, including the seven steps: Prepare, Categorize (FIPS 199), Select (SP 800-53), Implement, Assess, Authorize, and Monitor.

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

**FISMA legally requires compliance from all federal executive branch civilian agencies and extends to contractors, vendors, and service providers operating or processing federal information systems or data on their behalf.** This includes cloud providers under FedRAMP, state/local entities administering federal programs (e.g., Medicaid), and system owners like CIOs, CISOs, and Authorizing Officials (AOs). National security systems are excluded, governed separately.

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

**FISMA requires annual independent evaluations by agency Inspectors General (IGs) or external auditors, but does not mandate third-party certification.** 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, reporting via OMB's CyberScope. Contractors may face agency-specific audits or DCSA assessments for CUI.

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

**FISMA mandates annual independent IG evaluations of agency information security programs, supplemented by continuous monitoring per NIST SP 800-137.** Agencies conduct ongoing assessments via Information Security Continuous Monitoring (ISCM), with system-level reviews tied to risk (e.g., high-value assets quarterly), feeding into Authorization to Operate (ATO) renewals and Plans of Action and Milestones (POA&Ms).

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

**Non-compliance with FISMA results in unfavorable IG reports, OMB remediation directives, operational restrictions, reduced funding, contract loss, and debarment for contractors.** Agencies face public exposure via OMB's annual FISMA Report to Congress, potential DHS binding operational directives, and GAO scrutiny; contractors risk termination and exclusion from federal procurement.

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

**FISMA cannot be formally mapped to other international frameworks within its standalone U.S. federal scope, as it is a mandatory statute tied exclusively to NIST standards like SP 800-53 and RMF.** While NIST controls share conceptual alignments, FISMA implementation is prescribed for federal systems without reciprocity provisions for non-U.S. frameworks.

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, AO), develop a risk management strategy, and create a complete system inventory.** This includes executive sponsorship via a security program charter and authoritative asset catalog (e.g., CMDB) to define the attack surface.

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

**TOGAF's primary objective is to provide a vendor-neutral methodology and framework for designing, planning, implementing, and governing enterprise architecture to improve business efficiency.** It achieves this through the **Architecture Development Method (ADM)**, an iterative lifecycle spanning Preliminary Phase to Architecture Change Management, supported by the **Content Framework**, **Enterprise Continuum**, reference models like the **Technical Reference Model (TRM)**, and the **Architecture Capability Framework** for governance.

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

**No organizations are legally required to comply with TOGAF, as it is a voluntary, vendor-neutral standard developed by The Open Group.** Professionally, it is adopted by enterprise architects, CIOs, and transformation leads in large enterprises, government agencies, and regulated sectors like finance to establish repeatable EA practices, with certification recommended for practitioners via TOGAF Foundation and Certified levels.

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

**TOGAF does not require external audits or third-party certification for organizations.** Compliance is managed internally via the **Architecture Board**, **Implementation Governance (Phase G)**, and tailored compliance reviews using checklists; The Open Group offers practitioner certifications (e.g., TOGAF 9.2/10th Edition) but no formal organizational certification program.

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

**TOGAF assessments, such as maturity reviews using the Architecture Capability Maturity Model (ACMM), should be performed iteratively, typically quarterly for active programs and annually for enterprise-wide capability.** The ADM's **Phase H (Architecture Change Management)** and ongoing **Requirements Management** ensure continuous evaluation, with full ADM cycles triggered by strategic changes or Phase H evaluations.

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

**Non-compliance with TOGAF results in no legal penalties, as it is a voluntary framework, but leads to internal risks like fragmented architectures, duplicated efforts, vendor lock-in, and failed transformations.** Organizationally, it undermines governance via the **Architecture Board** and **Enterprise Continuum**, reducing ROI, increasing technical debt, and hindering business-IT alignment.

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

**Yes, TOGAF can be mapped to other frameworks, though official guidance emphasizes its standalone, tailorable nature.** The **Enterprise Continuum** and **Content Metamodel** support integration with complementary standards, with sources noting alignments to ITIL for service management and COBIT for governance, via shared concepts like building blocks and maturity models.

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

**The first step to implement TOGAF is the Preliminary Phase, which establishes the architecture capability by defining principles, tailoring the framework, selecting tools, and setting up the Architecture Repository.** This phase responds to a **Request for Architecture Work**, forms the **Architecture Board**, and prepares for **Phase A (Architecture Vision)**.

FISMA vs TOGAF

Standards Comparison

FISMA

Mandatory

2014

U.S. federal law mandating risk-based cybersecurity

TOGAF

Voluntary

2022

Vendor-neutral framework for enterprise architecture governance

Quick Verdict

FISMA mandates risk-based cybersecurity for US federal agencies via NIST RMF, while TOGAF provides voluntary EA methodology for aligning business and IT globally. Agencies comply with FISMA legally; enterprises adopt TOGAF for strategic coherence and efficiency.

Cybersecurity

FISMA

Federal Information Security Modernization Act 2014

Cost

€€€€

Complexity

Medium

Implementation Time

18-24 months

Key Features

Mandates NIST RMF 7-step risk process
Requires continuous monitoring and diagnostics
Enforces agency-wide ATO authorizations
Imposes OMB/DHS/IG oversight reporting
Extends requirements to contractors/supply chains

Enterprise Architecture

TOGAF

TOGAF® Standard, 10th Edition

Cost

€€€€

Complexity

High

Implementation Time

18-24 months

Key Features

Iterative Architecture Development Method (ADM)
Enterprise Continuum for asset reuse
Content Metamodel for modeling consistency
Reference Models like TRM and III-RM
Architecture Capability Framework governance

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) of 2014 is a U.S. federal law establishing a risk-based framework for protecting federal information and systems. It mandates agency-wide information security programs using NIST RMF (Prepare, Categorize, Select, Implement, Assess, Authorize, Monitor) for confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Key Components

NIST SP 800-53 controls tailored by FIPS 199 impact levels (Low/Moderate/High)
Continuous monitoring via SP 800-137
ATO processes, SSPs, POA&Ms
Oversight by OMB, DHS/CISA, IGs with maturity metrics

Why Organizations Use It

Federal agencies and contractors must comply to avoid penalties, debarment. It reduces risks, enables market access, builds resilience, aligns cybersecurity with missions for efficiency and trust.

Implementation Overview

Phased RMF lifecycle: inventory, categorize, implement controls, assess, authorize, monitor. Applies to agencies, contractors; requires annual IG audits, continuous reporting. Scales from small to enterprise via automation.

TOGAF Details

What It Is

The TOGAF® Standard (The Open Group Architecture Framework) is a vendor-neutral enterprise architecture framework and methodology. Its primary purpose is designing, planning, implementing, and governing enterprise-wide change across business and IT. The core approach is the iterative Architecture Development Method (ADM), a cyclical lifecycle supporting tailoring and iteration.

Key Components

**ADM phases10 phases from Preliminary to Change Management, plus ongoing Requirements Management.
**Content FrameworkDeliverables, artifacts (catalogs, matrices, diagrams), building blocks, and Content Metamodel.
Reference models: TRM, SIB, III-RM; Enterprise Continuum; Architecture Capability Framework.
Open Group certification portfolio from Foundation to advanced levels.

Why Organizations Use It

Aligns strategy with execution for efficiency, ROI, and reuse.
Ensures vendor neutrality, risk management, and governance.
Drives transformations, reduces duplication, enhances compliance.
Builds stakeholder trust via consistent language and traceability.

Implementation Overview

Phased, tailored ADM rollout: maturity assessment, pilots, scaling.
Involves governance setup, training, repository, tools.
Ideal for large enterprises in finance, government, IT; voluntary adoption with certifications.

Key Differences

Aspect	FISMA	TOGAF
Scope	Federal cybersecurity risk management	Enterprise architecture design and governance
Industry	US federal agencies and contractors	All industries worldwide, large enterprises
Nature	Mandatory US federal law	Voluntary enterprise architecture framework
Testing	Annual IG assessments, continuous monitoring	Architecture compliance reviews, maturity assessments
Penalties	Contract loss, debarment, funding cuts	No legal penalties, internal governance issues

Scope

FISMA

Federal cybersecurity risk management

TOGAF

Enterprise architecture design and governance

Industry

FISMA

US federal agencies and contractors

TOGAF

All industries worldwide, large enterprises

Nature

FISMA

Mandatory US federal law

TOGAF

Voluntary enterprise architecture framework

Testing

FISMA

Annual IG assessments, continuous monitoring

TOGAF

Architecture compliance reviews, maturity assessments

Penalties

FISMA

Contract loss, debarment, funding cuts

TOGAF

No legal penalties, internal governance issues

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about FISMA and TOGAF

FISMA FAQ

TOGAF FAQ

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FISMA

TOGAF

Quick Verdict

FISMA

Key Features

TOGAF

Key Features

Detailed Analysis

FISMA Details

What It Is

Key Components

Why Organizations Use It

Implementation Overview

TOGAF Details

What It Is

Key Components

Why Organizations Use It

Implementation Overview

Key Differences

Scope

Industry

Nature

Testing

Penalties

Frequently Asked Questions

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?

TOGAF FAQ

What is the primary objective of TOGAF?

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with TOGAF?

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

How often should an assessment for TOGAF be performed?

What are the consequences of non-compliance with TOGAF?

Can TOGAF be mapped to other international frameworks?

What is the first step to begin implementing TOGAF?

You Might also be Interested in These Articles...

Step-by-Step Implementation Guide to ISO 27701: Building a Privacy Information Management System (PIMS) on Your ISO 27001 Foundation

NIST CSF 2.0 Implementation Tiers Roadmap: Step-by-Step Guide from Partial to Adaptive Cybersecurity Maturity

What is DORA and which Requirements does the Standard define?

Run Maturity Assessments with GRADUM

Check out these other Gradum.io Standards Comparison Pages

ISO 27001 vs ISO 13485

ISO 50001 vs AS9100

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