FAQ for Implementing Red Team Assessments

FAQ for Implementing Red Team Assessments in Transition to NIST 800-53 Rev 5

Q1: What is the primary difference between NIST 800-53 Rev 4 and Rev 5 regarding security assessments?

A1: NIST 800-53 Rev 5 introduces more comprehensive and integrated security and privacy controls. One significant change is the explicit requirement for Red Team assessments for FedRAMP Moderate and above Cloud Service Providers (CSPs), which was not mandated in Rev 4.

Q2: What are Red Team assessments?

A2: Red Team assessments are simulated real-world attacks conducted by skilled security professionals to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in an organization's security posture. Unlike standard penetration tests, Red Team assessments use advanced tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) that mimic those used by actual adversaries.

Q3: Why are Red Team assessments important for our organization?

A3: Red Team assessments provide a more realistic evaluation of your security defenses, helping to uncover hidden vulnerabilities that may not be identified through standard testing methods. This ensures a stronger security posture and better prepares your organization against potential cyber threats.

Q4: How often should Red Team assessments be conducted?

A4: Regularly scheduled Red Team assessments are required, though the exact frequency can depend on your organization's risk environment and specific FedRAMP requirements. Typically, an annual assessment is recommended, with more frequent assessments for higher-risk environments.

Q5: What steps should we take to prepare for a Red Team assessment?

A5:

• Planning: Develop a comprehensive plan that outlines the scope, objectives, and timeline of the Red Team assessment.
• Engagement: Choose a qualified Red Team with experience in FedRAMP and NIST 800-53 Rev 5 requirements.
• Coordination: Ensure clear communication and coordination between the Red Team, internal security teams, and management.
• Documentation: Prepare and provide necessary documentation, including network architecture, security policies, and previous assessment reports.

Q6: What is the scope of the Red Team assessment?

A6: The scope of the Red Team assessment includes both boundary testing of the CSP environment and corporate testing as mandated by the PMO. This means evaluating security controls not just at the network perimeter but also within internal corporate systems, ensuring comprehensive coverage of potential attack vectors.

Q7: What should we expect during a Red Team assessment?

A7: The Red Team will perform various activities, including reconnaissance, exploitation, and post-exploitation, to simulate an adversary's actions. They will attempt to breach your defenses, move laterally within your network, and access sensitive data. Our testing will require that the CSP provide non-administrative credentialed access to the testing environment, as we will be performing the testing in an assumed breach scenario. The process is thorough and may involve both technical and social engineering tactics. The testing environment will include the FedRAMP boundary, as well as corporate workstation(s). Corporate testing is mandated by the FedRAMP PMO for FedRAMP tailored Red Team testing.

Q8: How is the testing methodology structured?

A8: Emagine IT (EIT) bases its Red Team assessments on the Mitre ATT&CK framework. This framework provides a detailed taxonomy of adversarial tactics and techniques based on real-world observations, ensuring our assessments are comprehensive and aligned with current threat landscapes.

Q9: How will the findings from a Red Team assessment be reported?

A9: The Red Team will provide a detailed report that includes:

• Executive Summary: High-level findings and overall risk assessment.
• Detailed Findings: Specific vulnerabilities and weaknesses identified.
• Attack Narrative: Description of attack paths and techniques used.
• Recommendations: Remediation actions to address identified issues.

Q10: How should we address the findings from the Red Team assessment?

A10:

• Prioritization: Prioritize the remediation of critical and high-risk vulnerabilities.
• Action Plan: Develop and implement a detailed action plan to address identified issues.
• Validation: Conduct follow-up testing to ensure vulnerabilities have been effectively mitigated.
• Continuous Improvement: Integrate findings into your continuous monitoring and improvement processes.

Q11: How does the Red Team assessment integrate with our existing security measures?

A11: Red Team assessments complement your existing security measures by providing an additional layer of testing and validation. They help to identify gaps that standard assessments may miss and ensure your security controls are robust against sophisticated threats.

Q12: What resources are available to help us transition to NIST 800-53 Rev 5?

A12:

FedRAMP Resources: Utilize FedRAMP's transition guidance and resources.

Consultants and 3PAOs: Engage with experienced consultants and Third-Party Assessment Organizations (3PAOs) like Emagine IT for expert guidance and support.