FIPS 199, the Federal Information Processing Standard Publication 199, Standards for Security Categorization of Federal Information and Information Systems, provides a standardized approach for classifying information and information systems based on potential impact levels. It establishes three security objectivesconfidentiality, integrity, and availabilityand defines low, moderate, and high impact levels for each. Determining the security categorization involves assessing the potential impact on organizations or individuals should a security breach compromise these objectives. For example, a breach impacting the confidentiality of publicly available information might be categorized as low impact, while a breach impacting the availability of critical financial systems might be categorized as high impact. The assigned impact levels for each objective are then combined to derive an overall security categorization for the information or system.
This standardized categorization process is crucial for federal agencies to effectively manage risk. It allows for consistent security controls across different systems and organizations, ensuring resources are allocated appropriately based on the potential impact of a security compromise. By providing a common framework for risk assessment, FIPS 199 enables better communication and collaboration among agencies and facilitates more informed decision-making regarding security investments. Developed in response to the increasing importance of information security, this standard plays a vital role in protecting sensitive government data and maintaining the continuity of essential operations.
