Who Is Responsible for Protecting CUI?

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Who Is Responsible for Protecting CUI?

In today's digital world, protecting controlled unclassified information (CUI) is more important than ever. CUI is information created or possessed by the federal government that does not meet the standards for classification under Executive Order 13526 but still requires safeguarding. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is responsible for developing and overseeing the implementation of policies and procedures to protect CUI. These policies and procedures are designed to ensure that CUI is appropriately protected from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, or destruction.

CISA works closely with other federal agencies to ensure that CUI is protected. It provides guidance and assistance to agencies on how to implement the CUI protection requirements. CISA also conducts oversight activities to ensure that agencies are complying with the CUI protection requirements. In addition to CISA, other federal agencies have a role to play in protecting CUI. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is responsible for developing and overseeing the CUI program. OMB also provides guidance and assistance to agencies on how to implement the CUI protection requirements.

To ensure the effective protection of CISA, agencies should adopt a holistic approach that encompasses cybersecurity measures, employee training, and incident response plans. By implementing robust security controls, promoting a culture of cybersecurity awareness among their employees, and establishing clear protocols for handling potential security breaches, agencies can significantly reduce the risks associated with CUI and maintain the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive information.

who is responsible for protecting cui

Protecting controlled unclassified information (CUI) is a shared responsibility.

  • Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
  • Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
  • Federal agencies
  • Employees
  • Contractors
  • System owners
  • Information system security officers (ISSOs)
  • Designated approving authorities (DAAs)
  • Records managers
  • End users

Everyone has a role to play in protecting CUI.

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is the federal agency responsible for protecting CUI. CISA works closely with other federal agencies to ensure that CUI is appropriately protected from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, or destruction. CISA's responsibilities related to CUI protection include:

  • Developing and overseeing CUI protection policies and procedures: CISA is responsible for developing and overseeing the implementation of policies and procedures to protect CUI. These policies and procedures are designed to ensure that CUI is appropriately protected from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, or destruction.
  • Providing guidance and assistance to agencies: CISA provides guidance and assistance to agencies on how to implement the CUI protection requirements. This guidance and assistance includes developing and implementing security plans, conducting risk assessments, and training employees on CUI protection requirements.
  • Conducting oversight activities: CISA conducts oversight activities to ensure that agencies are complying with the CUI protection requirements. These oversight activities include reviewing agency security plans, conducting inspections, and investigating security incidents.
  • Working with other federal agencies: CISA works closely with other federal agencies to ensure that CUI is protected. This includes sharing information about security threats and vulnerabilities, coordinating incident response activities, and developing joint training and awareness programs.

CISA is a critical player in the protection of CUI. The agency's work helps to ensure that CUI is appropriately protected from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, or destruction.

In addition to the responsibilities listed above, CISA also provides a number of resources to help agencies protect CUI. These resources include:

  • The CUI Cybersecurity Resource Center: This website provides a wealth of information on CUI protection, including guidance, tools, and training materials.
  • The CISA Cybersecurity Assessment Tool (CAT): This tool helps agencies assess their cybersecurity posture and identify areas where they can improve their CUI protection.
  • The CISA Incident Response Center: This center provides assistance to agencies that have experienced a cybersecurity incident.

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is responsible for developing and overseeing the CUI program. OMB also provides guidance and assistance to agencies on how to implement the CUI protection requirements.

  • Developing and overseeing the CUI program: OMB is responsible for developing and overseeing the CUI program. This includes defining the types of information that are considered CUI, developing policies and procedures for protecting CUI, and providing guidance to agencies on how to implement the CUI protection requirements.
  • Providing guidance and assistance to agencies: OMB provides guidance and assistance to agencies on how to implement the CUI protection requirements. This guidance and assistance includes developing and implementing security plans, conducting risk assessments, and training employees on CUI protection requirements.
  • Reviewing agency security plans: OMB reviews agency security plans to ensure that they meet the CUI protection requirements. OMB also provides feedback to agencies on how to improve their security plans.
  • Coordinating with other federal agencies: OMB coordinates with other federal agencies to ensure that CUI is protected. This includes sharing information about security threats and vulnerabilities, coordinating incident response activities, and developing joint training and awareness programs.

OMB plays a critical role in the protection of CUI. The agency's work helps to ensure that CUI is appropriately protected from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, or destruction.

Federal agencies

Federal agencies are responsible for protecting CUI within their respective organizations. This includes implementing and maintaining security controls, training employees on CUI protection requirements, and responding to security incidents.

  • Implementing and maintaining security controls: Federal agencies are responsible for implementing and maintaining security controls to protect CUI. These security controls include physical security measures, such as access control and surveillance cameras, as well as cybersecurity measures, such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems.
  • Training employees on CUI protection requirements: Federal agencies are responsible for training their employees on CUI protection requirements. This training should include information on how to identify and protect CUI, how to report security incidents, and how to use security controls effectively.
  • Responding to security incidents: Federal agencies are responsible for responding to security incidents involving CUI. This includes investigating the incident, containing the damage, and taking steps to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
  • Working with CISA and OMB: Federal agencies should work closely with CISA and OMB to ensure that they are implementing the CUI protection requirements effectively. CISA and OMB can provide guidance and assistance to agencies on how to protect CUI.

Federal agencies play a critical role in the protection of CUI. By implementing and maintaining effective security controls, training employees on CUI protection requirements, and responding to security incidents in a timely manner, agencies can help to ensure that CUI is protected from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, or destruction.

Employees

Employees play a critical role in protecting CUI. They are the ones who have access to CUI and are responsible for handling it in a secure manner. Employees can help to protect CUI by following these best practices:

  • Be aware of the CUI protection requirements: Employees should be aware of the CUI protection requirements that apply to their organization. This includes knowing what types of information are considered CUI, how to protect CUI, and how to report security incidents.
  • Handle CUI securely: Employees should handle CUI securely at all times. This includes keeping CUI confidential, storing CUI in a secure location, and destroying CUI properly when it is no longer needed.
  • Be vigilant for security threats: Employees should be vigilant for security threats, such as phishing emails, suspicious websites, and unauthorized access attempts. Employees should report any suspicious activity to their supervisor or IT security team.
  • Use strong passwords: Employees should use strong passwords for all of their work accounts. A strong password is at least 12 characters long and contains a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols.
  • Enable two-factor authentication: Employees should enable two-factor authentication for all of their work accounts. Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring employees to provide a second form of identification, such as a code sent to their phone, when they log in to their accounts.

By following these best practices, employees can help to protect CUI from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, or destruction.

Contractors

Contractors who have access to CUI are responsible for protecting it in accordance with the terms of their contract. This includes implementing and maintaining security controls, training employees on CUI protection requirements, and responding to security incidents.

  • Implementing and maintaining security controls: Contractors are responsible for implementing and maintaining security controls to protect CUI. These security controls should be consistent with the security controls that are used by the federal agency that awarded the contract.
  • Training employees on CUI protection requirements: Contractors are responsible for training their employees on CUI protection requirements. This training should include information on how to identify and protect CUI, how to report security incidents, and how to use security controls effectively.
  • Responding to security incidents: Contractors are responsible for responding to security incidents involving CUI. This includes investigating the incident, containing the damage, and taking steps to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
  • Working with the federal agency: Contractors should work closely with the federal agency that awarded the contract to ensure that they are implementing the CUI protection requirements effectively. The federal agency can provide guidance and assistance to contractors on how to protect CUI.

Contractors play an important role in the protection of CUI. By implementing and maintaining effective security controls, training employees on CUI protection requirements, and responding to security incidents in a timely manner, contractors can help to ensure that CUI is protected from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, or destruction.

System owners

System owners are responsible for protecting CUI that is stored or processed on their systems. This includes implementing and maintaining security controls, training system administrators on CUI protection requirements, and responding to security incidents.

  • Implementing and maintaining security controls: System owners are responsible for implementing and maintaining security controls to protect CUI. These security controls should be consistent with the security controls that are required by the federal agency that owns the CUI.
  • Training system administrators on CUI protection requirements: System owners are responsible for training system administrators on CUI protection requirements. This training should include information on how to identify and protect CUI, how to report security incidents, and how to use security controls effectively.
  • Responding to security incidents: System owners are responsible for responding to security incidents involving CUI. This includes investigating the incident, containing the damage, and taking steps to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
  • Working with the federal agency: System owners should work closely with the federal agency that owns the CUI to ensure that they are implementing the CUI protection requirements effectively. The federal agency can provide guidance and assistance to system owners on how to protect CUI.

System owners play an important role in the protection of CUI. By implementing and maintaining effective security controls, training system administrators on CUI protection requirements, and responding to security incidents in a timely manner, system owners can help to ensure that CUI is protected from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, or destruction.

Information system security officers (ISSOs)

Information system security officers (ISSOs) are responsible for developing and implementing security policies and procedures to protect CUI. ISSOs also work with system owners to ensure that CUI is protected on their systems.

  • Developing and implementing security policies and procedures: ISSOs are responsible for developing and implementing security policies and procedures to protect CUI. These policies and procedures should be consistent with the security requirements that are set forth by the federal agency that owns the CUI.
  • Working with system owners: ISSOs work with system owners to ensure that CUI is protected on their systems. This includes providing guidance and assistance to system owners on how to implement security controls, train system administrators, and respond to security incidents.
  • Conducting security audits and assessments: ISSOs conduct security audits and assessments to identify vulnerabilities and ensure that security controls are operating effectively. ISSOs also review system logs and other security data to identify potential security incidents.
  • Responding to security incidents: ISSOs are responsible for responding to security incidents involving CUI. This includes investigating the incident, containing the damage, and taking steps to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

ISSOs play a critical role in the protection of CUI. By developing and implementing effective security policies and procedures, working with system owners, conducting security audits and assessments, and responding to security incidents, ISSOs can help to ensure that CUI is protected from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, or destruction.

Designated approving authorities (DAAs)

Designated approving authorities (DAAs) are responsible for approving access to CUI. DAAs must ensure that individuals who are granted access to CUI have a need to know the information and that they have been properly trained on CUI protection requirements.

  • Approving access to CUI: DAAs are responsible for approving access to CUI. This includes determining whether an individual has a need to know the information and whether they have been properly trained on CUI protection requirements.
  • Revoking access to CUI: DAAs are also responsible for revoking access to CUI when an individual no longer has a need to know the information or when they have violated CUI protection requirements.
  • Maintaining records of access approvals: DAAs are required to maintain records of all access approvals that they grant. These records must include the name of the individual who was granted access, the date of the approval, and the justification for the approval.
  • Working with ISSOs: DAAs work closely with ISSOs to ensure that CUI is properly protected. DAAs provide ISSOs with information about who has been granted access to CUI and what security controls are in place to protect the information.

DAAs play a critical role in the protection of CUI. By carefully controlling who has access to CUI and by maintaining records of all access approvals, DAAs can help to ensure that CUI is only accessed by authorized individuals.

Records managers

Records managers are responsible for ensuring that CUI is properly stored and disposed of. Records managers also work with other stakeholders to develop and implement policies and procedures for managing CUI records.

  • Storing CUI records: Records managers are responsible for ensuring that CUI records are stored in a secure location. This includes using secure storage facilities and implementing access controls to prevent unauthorized individuals from accessing the records.
  • Disposing of CUI records: Records managers are also responsible for disposing of CUI records in a secure manner. This includes shredding or incinerating the records to prevent them from being recovered.
  • Developing and implementing policies and procedures for managing CUI records: Records managers work with other stakeholders to develop and implement policies and procedures for managing CUI records. These policies and procedures should address how CUI records are created, stored, accessed, and disposed of.
  • Training employees on CUI records management requirements: Records managers are responsible for training employees on CUI records management requirements. This training should include information on how to identify CUI records, how to store and dispose of CUI records securely, and how to report security incidents involving CUI records.

Records managers play a critical role in the protection of CUI. By ensuring that CUI records are properly stored and disposed of, and by training employees on CUI records management requirements, records managers can help to ensure that CUI is protected from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, or destruction.

End users

End users are the individuals who use CUI in the course of their work. End users have a responsibility to protect CUI from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, or destruction. End users can help to protect CUI by following these best practices:

  • Be aware of the CUI protection requirements: End users should be aware of the CUI protection requirements that apply to their organization. This includes knowing what types of information are considered CUI, how to protect CUI, and how to report security incidents.
  • Handle CUI securely: End users should handle CUI securely at all times. This includes keeping CUI confidential, storing CUI in a secure location, and destroying CUI properly when it is no longer needed.
  • Be vigilant for security threats: End users should be vigilant for security threats, such as phishing emails, suspicious websites, and unauthorized access attempts. End users should report any suspicious activity to their supervisor or IT security team.
  • Use strong passwords: End users should use strong passwords for all of their work accounts. A strong password is at least 12 characters long and contains a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols.
  • Enable two-factor authentication: End users should enable two-factor authentication for all of their work accounts. Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring end users to provide a second form of identification, such as a code sent to their phone, when they log in to their accounts.

By following these best practices, end users can help to protect CUI from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, or destruction.

FAQ

The following are some frequently asked questions about who is responsible for protecting CUI:

Question 1: Who is responsible for protecting CUI?

Answer: CUI is the responsibility of everyone who has access to it. This includes federal agencies, contractors, system owners, information system security officers (ISSOs), designated approving authorities (DAAs), records managers, and end users.

Question 2: What are some of the things that these individuals and organizations can do to protect CUI?

Answer: Individuals and organizations can protect CUI by implementing security controls, training employees on CUI protection requirements, and responding to security incidents. They can also protect CUI by being aware of the CUI protection requirements, handling CUI securely, and being vigilant for security threats.

Question 3: What are some of the consequences of not protecting CUI?

Answer: Not protecting CUI can have serious consequences, including unauthorized access, use, disclosure, or destruction of CUI. This can lead to financial losses, reputational damage, and legal liability.

Question 4: What resources are available to help individuals and organizations protect CUI?

Answer: There are a number of resources available to help individuals and organizations protect CUI. These resources include the CUI Cybersecurity Resource Center, the CISA Cybersecurity Assessment Tool (CAT), and the CISA Incident Response Center.

Question 5: What should individuals and organizations do if they suspect that CUI has been compromised?

Answer: If individuals or organizations suspect that CUI has been compromised, they should immediately report the incident to their supervisor or IT security team. They should also take steps to contain the damage and prevent further compromises.

Question 6: How can individuals and organizations stay up-to-date on the latest CUI protection requirements?

Answer: Individuals and organizations can stay up-to-date on the latest CUI protection requirements by visiting the CISA website and subscribing to CISA's email alerts.

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By following these tips, individuals and organizations can help to protect CUI from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, or destruction.

In addition to the information provided in the FAQ, here are some additional tips for protecting CUI:

Tips

In addition to the information provided in the FAQ, here are some additional tips for protecting CUI:

Tip 1: Implement security controls: Implement security controls to protect CUI from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, or destruction. These controls can include physical security measures, such as access control and surveillance cameras, as well as cybersecurity measures, such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems.

Tip 2: Train employees on CUI protection requirements: Train employees on CUI protection requirements. This training should include information on how to identify and protect CUI, how to report security incidents, and how to use security controls effectively.

Tip 3: Respond to security incidents quickly: Respond to security incidents involving CUI quickly and effectively. This includes investigating the incident, containing the damage, and taking steps to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

Tip 4: Be vigilant for security threats: Be vigilant for security threats, such as phishing emails, suspicious websites, and unauthorized access attempts. Report any suspicious activity to your supervisor or IT security team immediately.

Closing Paragraph for Tips:

By following these tips, you can help to protect CUI from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, or destruction.

By following the tips and advice provided in this article, you can help to protect CUI and keep it out of the wrong hands.

Conclusion

Protecting CUI is a shared responsibility. Everyone who has access to CUI, including federal agencies, contractors, system owners, information system security officers (ISSOs), designated approving authorities (DAAs), records managers, and end users, has a role to play in protecting CUI from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, or destruction.

By implementing security controls, training employees on CUI protection requirements, and responding to security incidents quickly and effectively, we can all help to protect CUI and keep it out of the wrong hands.

Closing Message:

Remember, protecting CUI is not just about following rules and regulations. It's about protecting our national security and the privacy of our citizens. By working together, we can create a strong defense against those who would seek to harm us.