Sp800-30

Special Publication 800-30

Risk Management Guide for Information Technology Systems
Recommendations of the National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gary Stoneburner, Alice Goguen, and Alexis Feringa


NIST Special Publication 800-30

Risk Management Guide for Information Technology Systems
Recommendations of the National Institute of Standards and Technology GaryStoneburner, Alice Goguen1, and Alexis Feringa1

C O M P U T E R

S E C U R I T Y


Computer Security Division Information Technology Laboratory National Institute of Standards and Technology Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8930
1

Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. 3190 Fairview Park Drive Falls Church, VA 22042

July 2002

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Donald L. Evans, Secretary TECHNOLOGYADMINISTRATION Phillip J. Bond, Under Secretary for Technology NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY Arden L. Bement, Jr., Director

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Reports on Computer Systems Technology
The Information Technology Laboratory (ITL) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology promotes the U.S. economy and public welfare by providing technical leadership forthe nation’s measurement and standards infrastructure. ITL develops tests, test methods, reference data, proof-ofconcept implementations, and technical analyses to advance the development and productive use of information technology. ITL’s responsibilities include the development of technical, physical, administrative, and management standards and guidelines for the cost-effectivesecurity and privacy of sensitive unclassified information in federal computer systems. The Special Publication 800-series reports on ITL’s research, guidance, and outreach efforts in computer security, and its collaborative activities with industry, government, and academic organizations.

National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publication 800-30
Natl. Inst. Stand.Technol. Spec. Publ. 800-30, 54 pages (July 2002)
CODEN: NSPUE2


Certain commercial entities, equipment, or materials may be identified in this document in order to describe an experimental procedure or concept adequately. Such identification is not intended to imply recommendation or endorsement by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, nor is it intended to imply thatthe entities, materials, or equipment are necessarily the best available for the purpose.

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Acknowledgements

The authors, Gary Stoneburner, from NIST and Alice Goguen and Alexis Feringa from Booz Allen Hamilton wish to express their thanks to their colleagues at both organizations who reviewed drafts of this document. In particular, Timothy Grance,Marianne Swanson, and Joan Hash from NIST and Debra L. Banning, Jeffrey Confer, Randall K. Ewell, and Waseem Mamlouk from Booz Allen provided valuable insights that contributed substantially to the technical content of this document. Moreover, we gratefully acknowledge and appreciate the many comments from the public and private sectors whose thoughtful and constructive comments improved thequality and utility of this publication.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS


1.

INTRODUCTION..............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 AUTHORITY.................................................................................................................................................1
PURPOSE......................................................................................................................................................1
OBJECTIVE ..................................................................................................................................................2
TARGET AUDIENCE...