FISMA Copilot
Navigate FISMA obligations under 44 U.S.C. §3551 using the NIST SP 800-53 and FIPS 199/200 control baseline
What the FISMA Copilot Can Do
Categorise information systems under FIPS 199 impact levels (low, moderate, high)
Select and tailor the NIST SP 800-53 control baseline using FIPS 200 minimum requirements
Walk the NIST SP 800-37 Risk Management Framework steps toward an Authorization to Operate (ATO)
Draft System Security Plans (SSP), POA&Ms, and supporting RMF documentation
Map FISMA obligations to FedRAMP for cloud services serving federal customers
Interpret reporting expectations toward OMB and the Department of Homeland Security
About FISMA Copilot
The Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014 (FISMA) is US federal law codified at 44 U.S.C. §3551 et seq., updating the original Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002. It requires US federal agencies — and, by extension, contractors and service providers operating federal information systems on their behalf — to develop, document, and implement an agency-wide information security program. The technical baseline is set by the National Institute of Standards and Technology: FIPS 199 for security categorisation of information and systems by impact level (low, moderate, high), FIPS 200 for minimum security requirements, and NIST SP 800-53 for the security and privacy control catalogue, applied through the Risk Management Framework described in NIST SP 800-37. Agencies report to the Office of Management and Budget and the Department of Homeland Security, and systems undergo assessment and authorisation (the Authorization to Operate, or ATO). Cloud providers serving federal customers typically pursue FedRAMP, which is built on the same NIST SP 800-53 baseline. ISMS Copilot is a guidance and documentation tool: it helps you categorise systems under FIPS 199, select and tailor the appropriate NIST SP 800-53 baseline, and draft System Security Plans and supporting RMF artefacts. It does not grant an Authorization to Operate or issue compliance certification.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is FISMA?
FISMA is the Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014, codified at 44 U.S.C. §3551 et seq., updating the 2002 Federal Information Security Management Act. It requires US federal agencies and their contractors to run an information security program built on the NIST SP 800-53, FIPS 199, and FIPS 200 baseline.
How does the FISMA Copilot help?
It helps you categorise systems under FIPS 199, select and tailor the NIST SP 800-53 baseline via FIPS 200, work through the NIST SP 800-37 Risk Management Framework, and draft System Security Plans and other RMF artefacts. It is a documentation and guidance aid and does not grant an Authorization to Operate.
Is FISMA the same as FedRAMP?
They are related but distinct. FISMA is the statutory obligation for federal agencies under 44 U.S.C. §3551, while FedRAMP is the standardised authorisation program for cloud services serving the federal government. Both rely on the NIST SP 800-53 control baseline, so FISMA preparation work substantially supports a FedRAMP effort.
Ready to do compliance work faster?
Built for speed, accuracy, and audit-ready output.