IMPLEMENTING THE NIST RISK MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK IN CLOUD ENVIRONMENTS: A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34218/IJCET_16_01_252Keywords:
NIST Risk Management Framework, Cloud Security, Continuous Monitoring, Shared Responsibility Model, Cloud ComplianceAbstract
This article explores the application of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Risk Management Framework (RMF) to cloud computing environments, providing a comprehensive guide for organizations seeking to enhance their cloud security posture. It delves into the evolution of cloud computing, the unique security challenges it presents, and the role of NIST in developing cybersecurity standards. The article offers a detailed examination of each step in the RMF process, from preparation to continuous monitoring, with specific emphasis on their implementation in cloud contexts. Through case studies, the article illustrates successful RMF implementations across public, private, and hybrid cloud deployments, highlighting both challenges and solutions. The benefits of applying the RMF to cloud environments are discussed, including improved compliance, enhanced visibility, and a standardized approach to risk management. The article also addresses common obstacles in implementation and provides mitigation strategies. Finally, it explores future trends that may impact cloud risk management, such as zero trust architecture, AI and machine learning, edge computing, and quantum computing. This article provides valuable insights for security professionals, IT managers, and decision-makers involved in cloud adoption and security governance, offering a roadmap for effectively managing risks in increasingly complex cloud ecosystems.
References
Gartner. (2022, October 31). Gartner Forecasts Worldwide Public Cloud End-User Spending to Reach Nearly $600 Billion in 2022. [Online] Available: https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2022-10-31-gartner-forecasts-worldwide-public-cloud-end-user-spending-to-reach-nearly-600-billion-in-2023
National Institute of Standards and Technology. (n.d.). About NIST. [Online] Available: https://www.nist.gov/about-nist
National Institute of Standards and Technology. (2018, December 20). Risk Management Framework for Information Systems and Organizations: A System Life Cycle Approach for Security and Privacy. (NIST Special Publication 800-37, Revision 2). https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/SpecialPublications/NIST.SP.800-37r2.pdf
Peter Mell, Timothy Grance (2011). The NIST Definition of Cloud Computing. National Institute of Standards and Technology. https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/Legacy/SP/nistspecialpublication800-145.pdf
Cloud Security Alliance. (2021). Cloud Controls Matrix v4. https://cloudsecurityalliance.org/research/cloud-controls-matrix/
National Institute of Standards and Technology. (2004). Standards for Security Categorization of Federal Information and Information Systems. (FIPS PUB 199). https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/FIPS/NIST.FIPS.199.pdf
Wayne Jansen, Timothy Grance (2011). Guidelines on Security and Privacy in Public Cloud Computing. (NIST Special Publication 800-144). National Institute of Standards and Technology. https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/Legacy/SP/nistspecialpublication800-144.pdf
Kelley Dempsey , Nirali Shah Chawla et al. (September 2011). Information Security Continuous Monitoring (ISCM) for Federal Information Systems and Organizations. (NIST Special Publication 800-137). National Institute of Standards and Technology. https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/Legacy/SP/nistspecialpublication800-137.pdf
Department of Defense. (2018). DOD Cloud Strategy. https://media.defense.gov/2019/Feb/04/2002085866/-1/-1/1/DOD-CLOUD-STRATEGY.PDF
James F. Williams, NASA’s Nebula Cloud Computing Initiative 2012. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20120011651/downloads/20120011651.pdf
Scott Rose , Oliver Borchert et al. (2020). Zero Trust Architecture. (NIST Special Publication 800-207). National Institute of Standards and Technology. https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/SpecialPublications/NIST.SP.800-207.pdf
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Vishnuvardhana Reddy Veeraballi (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
