What It Is

NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5 is the U.S. federal government's primary catalog of security and privacy controls for information systems and organizations. As a flexible, risk-informed framework, it provides standardized safeguards to protect confidentiality, integrity, availability (CIA) and manage privacy risks, shifting from checklists to outcome-based implementation integrated with the Risk Management Framework (RMF) in SP 800-37.

Key Components

• 20 control families (e.g., AC Access Control, SR Supply Chain Risk Management) with over 1,100 controls and enhancements.
• Baselines in SP 800-53B: Low/Moderate/High impact levels per FIPS 199, plus privacy baseline.
• Tailoring, overlays, parameters for customization; OSCAL for machine-readable automation.
• Assessment via SP 800-53A; no formal certification, but RMF authorization required for federal systems.

Why Organizations Use It

• Mandatory for federal agencies/contractors under FISMA/OMB A-130; voluntary benchmark for private sector.
• Enhances risk management, resilience, reciprocity; supports FedRAMP, cross-framework mappings (CSF, ISO 27001).
• Builds stakeholder trust, competitive edge in procurement, supply chain assurance.

Implementation Overview

Follow **RMFcategorize, select/tailor baselines, implement, assess, authorize, monitor. Applies to all sizes/industries processing federal data; phased rollout with automation reduces burden. Audits via continuous monitoring, POA&Ms.

What It Is

ISO 26000:2010 (Guidance on social responsibility) is an international guidance standard providing a framework for organizations to integrate social responsibility (SR). Its primary purpose is to define SR, guide impact assessment, and promote sustainable development. The principles-based, stakeholder-driven approach emphasizes context-specific application across all organization types.

Key Components

• **Seven principlesAccountability, transparency, ethical behavior, respect for stakeholder interests, rule of law, international norms, human rights.
• **Seven core subjectsOrganizational governance, human rights, labor practices, environment, fair operating practices, consumer issues, community involvement. Built on multi-stakeholder consensus; non-certifiable model focuses on self-assessment and transparent reporting.

Why Organizations Use It

Enhances risk management, credibility, and alignment with SDGs, OECD, GRI. Drives stakeholder trust, operational resilience, talent retention, and competitive differentiation without certification burdens.

Implementation Overview

Phased approach: materiality assessment, stakeholder engagement, policy integration, training. Applies to all sizes, sectors, geographies; no audits required, uses tools like ISO Communication Protocol.