NIST SP 800-53
Security

Risk Assessment Policy (RA Family) Template

Establishes requirements for assessing security risks including vulnerability scanning, threat analysis, and privacy impact assessments, aligned with NIST SP 800-53 RA control family.

What This Policy Covers

Purpose and Scope-Policy objectives and applicability (RA-1).
Risk Assessment Methodology-Assessment approach, likelihood, and impact scales (RA-3).
Security Categorization-System categorization using FIPS 199 (RA-2).
Vulnerability Scanning-Scanning tools, frequency, and remediation timelines (RA-5).
Threat Intelligence-Threat source identification and intelligence sharing (RA-3, RA-10).
Privacy Impact Assessment-PIA requirements for systems processing PII (RA-8).
Risk Response-Risk acceptance, mitigation, avoidance, and transfer decisions.
Assessment Schedule-Annual assessment cycle and event-triggered reassessments.

Required Sections

A compliant Risk Assessment Policy (RA Family) for NIST SP 800-53 must include the following8 sections. Each section addresses a specific control requirement that auditors will review.

1

Purpose and Scope

Policy objectives and applicability (RA-1).

2

Risk Assessment Methodology

Assessment approach, likelihood, and impact scales (RA-3).

3

Security Categorization

System categorization using FIPS 199 (RA-2).

4

Vulnerability Scanning

Scanning tools, frequency, and remediation timelines (RA-5).

5

Threat Intelligence

Threat source identification and intelligence sharing (RA-3, RA-10).

6

Privacy Impact Assessment

PIA requirements for systems processing PII (RA-8).

7

Risk Response

Risk acceptance, mitigation, avoidance, and transfer decisions.

8

Assessment Schedule

Annual assessment cycle and event-triggered reassessments.

Generate a Customized Version

This template shows the required structure. PoliWriter generates a fully customized Risk Assessment Policy (RA Family) that references your actual cloud providers, identity systems, tools, and team practices — ready for auditor review.

Policy Details

Category

Security

Sections

8 total (8 required)

Other NIST SP 800-53 Templates

Access Control Policy (AC Family)

Establishes access control requirements covering account management, access enforcement, separation of duties, and least privilege, aligned with NIST SP 800-53 AC control family.

Audit & Accountability Policy (AU Family)

Defines audit logging, monitoring, and accountability requirements aligned with NIST SP 800-53 AU control family.

Security Assessment & Authorization Policy (CA Family)

Establishes requirements for security assessments, system authorization, and continuous monitoring, aligned with NIST SP 800-53 CA control family.

Configuration Management Policy (CM Family)

Defines configuration management requirements including baseline configurations, change control, and configuration monitoring, aligned with NIST SP 800-53 CM control family.

Contingency Planning Policy (CP Family)

Establishes contingency planning requirements including backup, recovery, and continuity of operations, aligned with NIST SP 800-53 CP control family.

Identification & Authentication Policy (IA Family)

Defines requirements for identifying and authenticating users, devices, and services, aligned with NIST SP 800-53 IA control family.

Incident Response Policy (IR Family)

Establishes an incident response capability including preparation, detection, analysis, containment, recovery, and post-incident activities, aligned with NIST SP 800-53 IR control family.

System & Communications Protection Policy (SC Family)

Defines requirements for protecting system communications and data, including boundary protection, cryptography, and denial-of-service protection, aligned with NIST SP 800-53 SC control family.

View all 10 templates