What is an Organizationally Defined Parameter (ODP)?

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In this podcast:

For those navigating the world of NIST controls:

1. Understand the Purpose of ODPs: They’re designed to give you control over your security practices, aligning them with your unique context.
2. Review Appendix D of NIST SP 800-171 Rev 3: It lists all ODPs, offering a comprehensive guide to implementation.
3. Explore Baseline Values: Documents like FedRAMP baselines or CNSSI 1253 provide predefined ODP examples, which can serve as benchmarks.

Celebrating Freedom: NIST Controls and the Art of Organizational Flexibility

Freedom is a core tenet of America’s identity. But this episode of our podcast took an unusual spin on freedom, weaving it into the realm of cybersecurity frameworks. While freedom may conjure images of bald eagles and sacrifices for liberty, for those immersed in the world of cybersecurity, it’s also a moment to ponder the peculiar “freedom” embedded within NIST Special Publications, especially through the concept of Organizationally Defined Parameters (ODPs).

The Heart of Freedom in Cybersecurity: Organizationally Defined Parameters

The idea of freedom in NIST controls, particularly in NIST SP 800-171 Revision 3 and SP 800-53, manifests through ODPs. These parameters offer organizations the flexibility to tailor control requirements to meet their specific security needs and operational contexts. Unlike rigidly prescribed controls, ODPs allow for customization, enabling organizations to define key variables like the number of unsuccessful logins before locking an account or the retention period for security incident data.

For instance, a control from NIST SP 800-171 Rev 2, 3.1.8, originally reads: “Limit unsuccessful log-on attempts.” This vague directive becomes much more actionable in Revision 3, which specifies:

“Enforce a limit of [organizationally defined] unsuccessful log-on attempts during [organizationally defined] time periods and take [organizationally defined] actions after the maximum attempts.”

This approach effectively transforms cybersecurity controls into customizable frameworks that accommodate diverse operational needs.

Why Flexibility Matters

In the dynamic landscape of cybersecurity, one-size-fits-all solutions rarely work. ODPs provide the flexibility needed to address varying:

• Risk Tolerances: Some organizations may set stringent thresholds (e.g., three unsuccessful logins), while others may allow greater leniency (e.g., five attempts within 30 minutes) depending on their threat models.
• Operational Needs: A defense contractor managing classified information might have stricter parameters than a commercial entity dealing with controlled unclassified information (CUI).
• Regulatory Compliance: External regulations, like Department of Defense (DoD) requirements, may dictate specific values, such as retaining incident data for 90 days.

This flexibility ensures that organizations can align cybersecurity practices with both internal policies and external mandates.

Navigating the Complexity of ODPs

While the freedom granted by ODPs is valuable, it’s not without challenges. As the podcast highlighted, interpreting and implementing ODPs can feel like solving a security control puzzle. For example, 3.1.8 in Revision 3 introduces multiple nested ODPs:

1. Define the limit of invalid log-on attempts.
2. Set the time period for monitoring these attempts.
3. Decide what actions to take after the threshold is exceeded.

This level of granularity ensures clarity but can also overwhelm organizations unfamiliar with such structured flexibility.

Adding to the complexity, not all organizations are proactive in defining ODPs. When values are undefined, assessors might question the implementation during audits, leading to potential compliance risks.

Enhancing Accessibility Through Improved Formatting

Revision 3 of NIST SP 800-171 marks a significant improvement in presenting ODPs. By restructuring controls to resemble pseudo-code, NIST has made these parameters easier to identify and understand. For example:

• In Rev 2, controls often appeared as single-line statements.
• In Rev 3, controls like 3.1.8 now include clearly delineated sections (e.g., Part A and Part B) and explicit ODP placeholders.

This refined structure makes it simpler for organizations to “fill in the blanks” and align their implementation with best practices.

Striking the Balance Between Flexibility and Prescriptiveness

While flexibility is the hallmark of NIST controls, there are scenarios where more prescriptive guidance may be beneficial. For instance, certain critical security measures, such as encryption standards, might require predefined parameters to ensure consistency across industries. However, excessive prescription could hinder innovation and adaptability, especially for smaller organizations with unique requirements.

Conclusion: Freedom in Security

On this Independence Day, as we celebrate the freedoms that define America, let’s also recognize the flexibility that frameworks like NIST SP 800-171 grant to organizations striving for robust cybersecurity. Much like the 4th of July celebrates the balance of liberty and responsibility, ODPs exemplify how thoughtful design can empower organizations to protect their assets without stifling innovation.

Happy 4th of July—and here’s to the freedom to define your security.

Sum IT Up Podcast

With Jacob Horne and Jason Sproesser

We sum up the news and developments relevant to CMMC, DFARS, and NIST standards such as SP 800-171, SP 800-53, the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, and others.