NIST SP 800-53
Security

Security Assessment & Authorization Policy (CA Family) Template

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

What This Policy Covers

Purpose and Scope-Policy objectives and applicability (CA-1).
Security Assessment Procedures-Assessment methodology, frequency, and scope (CA-2).
System Authorization (ATO)-Authorization to operate process and decision criteria (CA-6).
Plan of Action and Milestones-POA&M development and tracking requirements (CA-5).
Continuous Monitoring-Ongoing assessment and authorization maintenance (CA-7).
Penetration Testing-Penetration testing scope, frequency, and reporting (CA-8).
System Interconnections-Security requirements for system connections (CA-3).

Required Sections

A compliant Security Assessment & Authorization Policy (CA Family) for NIST SP 800-53 must include the following7 sections. Each section addresses a specific control requirement that auditors will review.

1

Purpose and Scope

Policy objectives and applicability (CA-1).

2

Security Assessment Procedures

Assessment methodology, frequency, and scope (CA-2).

3

System Authorization (ATO)

Authorization to operate process and decision criteria (CA-6).

4

Plan of Action and Milestones

POA&M development and tracking requirements (CA-5).

5

Continuous Monitoring

Ongoing assessment and authorization maintenance (CA-7).

6

Penetration Testing

Penetration testing scope, frequency, and reporting (CA-8).

7

System Interconnections

Security requirements for system connections (CA-3).

Generate a Customized Version

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

Policy Details

Category

Security

Sections

7 total (7 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.

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.

Risk Assessment Policy (RA Family)

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

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