Assessing Information Security Continuous Monitoring (ISCM) Programs: Developing an ISCM Program Assessment

Published

May 21, 2020

Author(s)

Kelley L. Dempsey, Victoria Yan Pillitteri, Chad Baer, Robert Niemeyer, Ron Rudman, Susan Urban

Abstract

This publication describes an approach for the development of Information Security Continuous Monitoring (ISCM) program assessments that can be used to evaluate ISCM programs within federal, state, and local governmental organizations and commercial enterprises. An ISCM program assessment provides organizational leadership with information on the effectiveness and completeness of the organization's ISCM program, including the review of ISCM strategies, policies, procedures, operations, and analysis of continuous monitoring data. The ISCM assessment approach can be used as presented or as the starting point for an organization-specific methodology. It includes example evaluation criteria and assessment procedures that can be applied to organizations.

Citation

Special Publication (NIST SP) - 800-137A

Report Number

800-137A

NIST Pub Series

Special Publication (NIST SP)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

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DOI Link

Keywords

assessment, assessment element, assessment methodology, assessment procedure, continuous monitoring, information security continuous monitoring, ISCM program, ISCM program assessment.

Citation

Dempsey, K. , Pillitteri, V. , Baer, C. , Niemeyer, R. , Rudman, R. and Urban, S. (2020), Assessing Information Security Continuous Monitoring (ISCM) Programs: Developing an ISCM Program Assessment, Special Publication (NIST SP), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-137A (Accessed October 10, 2025)