Cybersecurity threats evolve daily, demanding more than just technology-based defenses. A well-informed and trained workforce is a critical layer of defense against security incidents. NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 includes the Awareness and Training (AT) family of controls, which helps organizations educate employees on cybersecurity risks and prepares them to recognize, prevent, and respond to potential threats.
In this blog post, we explore each of the AT controls in NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5, highlighting their significance and providing practical tips for implementation.
What is the NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 AT Family?
The AT family of controls is designed to help organizations implement a robust cybersecurity awareness and training program. The AT family includes only four controls, but each plays a vital role in creating a culture of cybersecurity within the organization. From general awareness to specialized role-based training, the AT controls emphasize the importance of a knowledgeable workforce in defending against cyber threats.
AT-1: Security Awareness and Training Policy and Procedures
AT-1 establishes the foundation for the Awareness and Training family by requiring a formal policy and procedures for cybersecurity awareness and training.
- Purpose: Provides a structured approach to cybersecurity awareness and training within the organization.
- Implementation: Develop, document, and distribute an awareness and training policy. Ensure that the policy aligns with organizational goals and compliance requirements.
- Review and Update: Organizations should periodically review and update the policy to reflect changes in threat landscapes, organizational structure, and compliance requirements.
By establishing a clear and well-defined policy, AT-1 sets the stage for implementing the subsequent controls in the AT family.
AT-2: Security Awareness Training
AT-2 is the primary control for ensuring that all employees and contractors are educated on cybersecurity best practices and potential threats.
Key Aspects of Security Awareness Training
- Training Content: Cover basic security practices, such as recognizing phishing attempts, using strong passwords, and protecting sensitive information.
- Regular Updates: Update the training content to address emerging threats. This can include new phishing tactics, ransomware trends, or social engineering attacks.
- Engagement: Interactive training, such as quizzes or scenario-based modules, helps reinforce understanding and retention.
Implementation Tips
- Mandatory Training: Make security awareness training mandatory for all employees and contractors.
- Frequency: Conduct training at least annually and after any significant security incident to reinforce best practices.
- Continuous Improvement: Collect feedback from participants to improve future training sessions.
By prioritizing regular, engaging, and up-to-date security awareness training, organizations can create a workforce that actively participates in maintaining cybersecurity.
AT-3: Role-Based Security Training
AT-3 emphasizes the need for specialized security training for employees in specific roles with increased access to sensitive information or systems. This includes employees in roles such as IT administration, finance, legal, and compliance.
Why Role-Based Training Matters
Role-based security training goes beyond general awareness and provides targeted education based on the specific responsibilities and risks associated with certain roles. For example, an IT administrator needs in-depth knowledge of system configurations, while a finance professional should be able to identify signs of fraud.
Implementation Steps
- Identify Roles: Determine which roles require specialized security training based on their access to critical systems or sensitive data.
- Develop Role-Specific Content: Tailor training content to each role’s security requirements, covering relevant threats and defensive measures.
- Ongoing Updates: Regularly update role-specific training materials to reflect evolving risks associated with those positions.
Role-based training ensures that employees understand the specific security risks related to their roles and have the knowledge needed to prevent incidents within their areas of responsibility.
AT-4: Security Training Records
AT-4 requires organizations to keep accurate records of all security training activities to track compliance and ensure accountability.
Why Training Records Are Important
Maintaining records of security training is essential for demonstrating compliance with regulatory requirements and for identifying employees who may need additional training. Accurate records also help measure the effectiveness of training programs and identify areas for improvement.
Implementation Tips
- Document Participation: Record all completed training sessions, including the date, participants, and content covered.
- Track Completion Rates: Ensure all employees have completed required training and address any gaps.
- Review and Report: Use training records to assess the effectiveness of the program, reporting findings to management for continuous improvement.
Training records create accountability and provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of an organization’s awareness and training program.
AT-5: Contacts with Security Groups and Associations*
AT-5 emphasizes the importance of establishing connections with external security groups, associations, and forums to stay current on cybersecurity threats, trends, and best practices. By connecting with these groups, organizations gain valuable insights into emerging risks and can proactively update their security measures. It has been deprecated in Rev 5 and incorporated into PM-15.
Key Aspects of AT-5
- Purpose: Provides organizations with up-to-date information on threats and security best practices from reputable security sources.
- Implementation: Establish relationships with security associations, industry groups, and peer organizations.
- Example Groups: The Information Systems Security Association (ISSA), InfraGard (a partnership between the FBI and private sector), or the Center for Internet Security (CIS).
Regular contact with security groups ensures that an organization stays informed about evolving threats and can adjust training programs as needed.
AT-6: Training Feedback
AT-6 focuses on gathering feedback from individuals who participate in the organization’s cybersecurity awareness and training programs. This control ensures that the training is effective, relevant, and continuously improved based on participant feedback.
Key Aspects of AT-6
- Purpose: Helps refine training programs by incorporating participant feedback, ensuring they stay engaging, relevant, and effective.
- Implementation: Collect feedback after each training session through surveys, interviews, or questionnaires to assess its effectiveness and make improvements.
- Feedback Use: Regularly review feedback to identify any gaps in training or areas where employees may need further instruction.
By implementing AT-6, organizations can maintain high-quality training programs that evolve with changing security landscapes and employee needs.
Conclusion: Building a Security-Aware Workforce
The Awareness and Training (AT) family of controls in NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 lays the groundwork for building a cybersecurity-conscious organization. By implementing these controls, organizations can empower employees to recognize and respond to security threats, reducing the risk of incidents. A well-executed training program not only strengthens an organization’s security posture but also creates a culture of accountability and vigilance.