RMF Control CP-5: Contingency Plan Update is a withdrawn control that was incorporated into RMF Control CP-2: Contingency Plan.
Supplemental Guidance
The Risk Management Framework (RMF) is a cybersecurity framework that provides a process for managing cybersecurity risk to systems and organizations. RMF Control CP-5: Contingency Plan Update was one of the controls in the CP family, which addresses contingency planning.
Contingency planning is the process of developing and implementing plans to respond to disruptions to information systems. Contingency plans should address a variety of scenarios, including natural disasters, cyberattacks, and human error.
Benefits of Implementing RMF Control CP-5
There are a number of benefits to implementing RMF Control CP-5, including:
- Improved security posture: By having a contingency plan in place, organizations can better respond to disruptions to information systems and minimize the impact of those disruptions.
- Reduced downtime: A well-developed and tested contingency plan can help organizations to reduce the amount of downtime that they experience in the event of a disruption.
- Improved compliance: Many regulations require organizations to have a contingency plan in place. Implementing RMF Control CP-5 can help organizations to improve their compliance with these regulations.
How to Implement RMF Control CP-5
To implement RMF Control CP-5, organizations should:
- Review and update their contingency plan on a regular basis. This should include reviewing the plan for completeness, accuracy, and relevance.
- Test the contingency plan regularly to ensure that it is effective.
- Make changes to the contingency plan as needed to reflect changes to the information system, its environment, or the organization’s business needs.
Examples of Contingency Plan Updates
Some examples of contingency plan updates include:
- Updating the plan to reflect changes to the information system, such as the addition of new systems or applications.
- Updating the plan to reflect changes to the organization’s environment, such as a move to a new facility or changes to the organization’s business needs.
- Updating the plan to address new threats and vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
RMF Control CP-5: Contingency Plan Update is an important control that can help organizations to improve their security posture, reduce downtime, and improve compliance. By regularly reviewing, updating, and testing their contingency plan, organizations can better prepare for and respond to disruptions to information systems.
Additional Tips for Implementing RMF Control CP-5
- Involve stakeholders in the contingency planning process: Organizations should involve stakeholders, such as IT staff, security staff, and business owners, in the contingency planning process. This will help to ensure that the contingency plan is aligned with the organization’s business needs and security requirements.
- Use a risk-based approach to contingency planning: Organizations should use a risk-based approach to contingency planning to ensure that the most critical information systems are protected.
- Regularly review and update the contingency plan: Organizations should regularly review and update the contingency plan to ensure that it is effective and up-to-date.
Even though RMF Control CP-5 has been withdrawn, the guidance above is still relevant for organizations that are developing and maintaining contingency plans. By following these tips, organizations can develop and implement effective contingency plans that can help them to better respond to disruptions to information systems.