Map, Implement, and Prove Security Controls (CSF • 800-53 • 800-171 • 800-207)
NIST gives you the language and the controls to run security like a system.
SolveForce turns NIST frameworks into shippable architecture and audit-grade evidence—from gap analysis and POA&M to Zero Trust builds, continuous monitoring, and assessor-ready artifacts.
Related pages:
☁️ Cloud → /cloud • 🛡️ Cyber → /cybersecurity • 📊 ConMon → /siem-soar
🚪 Zero Trust → /ztna / /sase / /nac • 🔑 Keys/Secrets → /key-management / /secrets-management / /encryption
💾 Continuity → /cloud-backup / /backup-immutability / /draas
🧱 Data → /data-governance • 🔧 Delivery → /infrastructure-as-code
🎯 Outcomes (Why SolveForce for NIST)
- Clear mapping — your risks and systems aligned to NIST CSF, SP 800-53 r5, SP 800-171/172, or sector overlays (800-66 HIPAA, 800-82 ICS).
- Zero-Trust by design — SP 800-207 patterns (ZTNA, device posture, microsegmentation) implemented as code.
- Assessment-ready — SSP/SAR/POA&M that match reality, with evidence wired to SIEM.
- Continuous monitoring — monthly scans, control status, change records, incidents—automated with SOAR.
- Reusable architecture — guardrails you can keep and extend (policy-as-code, IaC, GitOps).
🧭 Scope (What We Build & Operate)
- Framework selection & scoping — CSF functions (Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, Recover) → applicable NIST controls.
- Control implementation — AC/IA/SC/CM/IR/CP families via cloud/private/edge patterns (ZTNA, NAC, WAF, keys/secrets, logging).
- Documentation & evidence — SSP, control narratives, diagrams/dataflows, inventories, procedures; POA&M tracking.
- ConMon pipeline — vuln scans, config drift, log coverage, metrics & dashboards → SIEM/SOAR. → /siem-soar
- Exercises & DR — TTX and DR drills with artifacts. → /tabletop • /draas
🧱 Building Blocks (Spelled Out)
- Zero Trust (800-207)
- Per-app ZTNA, SASE SWG/DNS, NAC 802.1X; device posture (MDM/UEM + EDR); workload identity (no long-lived keys).
→ /ztna • /sase • /nac • /mdr-xdr - Identity & Access (AC/IA)
- SSO/MFA; RBAC/ABAC; JIT elevation via PAM; quarterly certifications; SoD. → /iam • /pam
- Crypto & Custody (SC/MP)
- FIPS-validated crypto, CMEK/HSM keys, envelope encryption; vault-issued secrets; rotation/quorum.
→ /key-management • /secrets-management • /encryption - Logging & Detection (AU/SI)
- Centralized logs (cloud activity, auth, network, WAF/DLP, EDR), time sync, correlation & playbooks. → /siem-soar
- Config & Software (CM/SA)
- IaC baselines, golden images, signed artifacts/SBOM, policy-as-code & drift detection. → /infrastructure-as-code
- Continuity (CP)
- Object-Lock/WORM backups, tiered DR, cutover runbooks, restore drills with screenshots & checksums.
→ /cloud-backup • /backup-immutability • /draas - Privacy & Data (PT/DL)
- Data labeling, DLP/tokenization, residency controls, retention/holds, lineage & contracts. → /data-governance • /dlp
🔁 Framework Paths (pick your lane)
- NIST CSF 2.0 — risk & program alignment; measurable tiers; roadmap & metrics by function.
- SP 800-53 r5 (Low/Mod/High) — full control implementation & ConMon for federal/regulated stacks.
- SP 800-171/172 (CUI/CNSSI) — CUI enclave, ZTNA, HSM keys, immutable logs; SSP/POA&M and assessment support.
- Sector overlays — 800-66 (HIPAA), 800-82 (ICS/OT), 800-61 (IR), 800-34 (BCP/DR), 800-63 (digital identity).
📐 SLO Guardrails (Operate NIST like a product)
| Domain | SLO / KPI | Target (Recommended) |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | Joiner→access / Leaver revoke | ≤ 15–60 min / ≤ 5–15 min |
| Detection | MTTD (Sev-1 via SIEM) | ≤ 5–10 min |
| Containment | MTTC (EDR/NAC/ZTNA) | ≤ 15–30 min |
| Backups | Immutability coverage (Tier-1) | = 100% |
| Vuln mgmt | High/Critical remediation | ≤ 30 / ≤ 15 days |
| ConMon | Monthly package on time | 100% |
| Evidence | SSP/POA&M completeness | = 100% |
SLO breaches open tickets and trigger SOAR (rollback, revoke, rekey, resegment). → /siem-soar
🧪 Assessment & Evidence (no surprises)
- Artifacts — SSP, policies/procedures, boundary & dataflow diagrams, inventories, hardening guides, scan/pen results, POA&M, IR/BCP evidence.
- Testing — vuln scans (int/ext), config benchmarks, pen/segmentation tests, TTX & DR exercises; change-triggered testing.
- Reporting — risk register & metrics dashboards mapped to CSF/800-53 families.
🛠️ Implementation Blueprint (No-Surprise Delivery)
1) Scope & gap — pick baseline (CSF / 800-53 / 800-171), inventory systems/data, run gap analysis.
2) Roadmap & budget — 12–18 month plan; quick wins vs strategic builds.
3) Build controls — ZTNA/NAC/microseg, keys/secrets, WAF/DLP, logging, ConMon pipelines.
4) Prove — SSP updates, SIEM/SOAR use-cases, scans/pen/seg tests, TTX & DR drills; collect artifacts.
5) Authorize/assess — support external assessors; remediate findings; finalize POA&M.
6) Operate — monthly ConMon; quarterly control recerts; annual reassessment; publish SLOs & RCAs.
✅ Pre-Engagement Checklist
- 🧭 Framework & baseline (CSF/800-53/800-171/etc.), authorizing stakeholders, assessment timeline.
- 🗂️ System/data inventory, boundaries, dataflows; crown-jewel map.
- 🔐 Identity (SSO/MFA), PAM, device posture; ZTNA/NAC status.
- 🔑 KMS/HSM & vault posture; encryption standards.
- 🌐 Boundary posture (WAF/DDoS), logging coverage, SIEM/SOAR.
- 🧪 Scans/pen history; open findings; POA&M tracker.
- 💾 Backup/DR readiness; Object-Lock scope; drill cadence.
- 📊 Reporting cadence; risk committee/board touchpoints; budget guardrails.
🔄 Where NIST Fits (Recursive View)
1) Grammar — controls ride /connectivity & /networks-and-data-centers.
2) Syntax — implemented on /cloud & private platforms with /infrastructure-as-code.
3) Semantics — /cybersecurity preserves truth; /siem-soar proves it; /draas recovers it.
4) Pragmatics — /solveforce-ai surfaces risk/cost tradeoffs and suggests safe changes.