¶ Overview
Securing information systems and achieving compliance with the National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publication 800-53 (NIST 800-53) are paramount for organizations handling sensitive data. This solution brief outlines how the adoption of Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) can play a pivotal role in meeting NIST 800-53 requirements, providing a comprehensive and adaptive approach to cybersecurity.
¶ How SASE Facilitates NIST 800-53 Compliance?
Identity-Centric Access:
- SASE emphasizes an identity-centric approach to access control, aligning with NIST 800-53 controls related to identity and access management. By basing access decisions on user identities and continuously verifying user trustworthiness, organizations can enforce the principle of least privilege.
Cloud-Native Security Architecture:
- SASE operates on a cloud-native architecture, supporting the deployment of security services at the edge. This aligns with NIST 800-53 controls for physical and environmental protection, ensuring that security services are distributed and consistently applied regardless of user location or device.
Integrated Security Services:
- SASE integrates a range of security services such as secure web gateways, firewall-as-a-service, and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA). This integrated approach aligns with NIST 800-53 controls for security management, offering a cohesive and streamlined security strategy.
Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA):
- SASE incorporates ZTNA principles, ensuring that users and devices are continuously authenticated and authorized before accessing resources. This reinforces access controls, addressing NIST 800-53 requirements for secure configuration management and system and communications protection.
¶ Benefits for NIST 800-53 Compliance
|
Feature |
Benefit for NIST 800-53 Compliance |
|---|---|
| Dynamic Access Control | SASE enables dynamic access control by assessing user trustworthiness and adapting access permissions in real-time. This aligns with NIST 800-53 controls for access control and separation of duties, ensuring that only authorized users have access to sensitive information. |
| Reduced Attack Surface | By enforcing strict access controls, SASE helps organizations minimize their attack surface, addressing NIST 800-53 controls for configuration management and system and communications protection. This reduces the risk of unauthorized access and potential security breaches. |
| Continuous Monitoring | SASE facilitates continuous monitoring of user activities and network traffic, supporting NIST 800-53 controls for continuous monitoring and risk management. This proactive approach enhances the organization's ability to detect and respond to security incidents promptly. |
| Scalable and Adaptive Security | The scalable nature of SASE allows organizations to adapt their security measures based on evolving threats and business requirements. This flexibility aligns with NIST 800-53 controls for adaptive security measures and ensures that the organization can effectively respond to changing cybersecurity landscapes. |
| Unified Security Framework | SASE provides a unified and integrated security framework, simplifying compliance audits. This aids organizations in demonstrating adherence to NIST 800-53 requirements by offering a consolidated view of security policies, access controls, and user activities. |
¶ NIST 800-53 Compliance Data in Exium SASE Platform
A sample data for NIST 800-53 compliance in Exium's SASE platform is provided in the graphs below.
In this sample data, the top NIST 800-53 requirements that are getting flagged are listed in the Table below:
|
NIST 800-53 Compliance Requirement |
What is it about? |
|---|---|
| AU-14: | Session Audit |
| AC-6: | Least Privilege |
| AC-7: | Unsuccessful Logon Attempts |
| SI-7: | Software, Firmware, And Information Integrity |
| AU-6: | Audit Review, Analysis, And Reporting |
| CM-1: | Configuration Management Policy And Procedures |
| AU-5: | Response To Audit Processing Failures |
| SC-8: | Transmission Confidentiality And Integrity |
| SI-4: | Information System Monitoring |
| AC-2: | Account Management |
¶ Conclusion
SASE offers a modern and comprehensive approach to meeting NIST 800-53 compliance requirements. By focusing on identity-centric access, a cloud-native architecture, and integrated security services, organizations can enhance their cybersecurity posture, reduce risks, and demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding sensitive information in accordance with NIST guidelines.