NIST drafts security buying guides

NIST Computer Security Resource Center

The National Institute of Standards and Technology's Computer Security Division has released three new draft guides for agencies on buying security technologies and services.

The three draft guides, released Oct. 9, approach security acquisition from different directions. All of them are necessary to ensure security when implementing an information technology network or solution. The guides are available on NIST's Computer Security Resource Center site (http://csrc.nist.gov). Comments are due back by Nov. 11.

The first, "Special Publication 800-36: Guide to Selecting IT Security Products," looks at hardware and software specifically for security needs, such as identification and authentication, intrusion detection, virus and malicious code protection, and forensics.

The draft doesn't just focus on the specifications of the products, it also recommends how managers should take into account the user community, the agency's mission, the ease of use, and the ability to get upgrades in the future as part of the acquisition decision.

The guide also outlines the responsibilities of officials throughout an organization in choosing a security product for a network. That includes not just the security manager and chief information officer, but also the program manager, the contracting officer and the agency's IT investment review board.

Comments can be sent to sp800-36@nist.gov.

The second draft, "Special Publication 800-35: Guide to IT Security Services," focuses on evaluating and procuring the many security services now available. These range from helping to develop a security policy to outsourcing the management of an agency's firewall or intrusion detection system.

This guide outlines all of the security services now available, and also the different management tools and methods for overseeing contracted services. And it takes agencies through the management process from the initial selection and evaluation to exit or transition from a service provider.

Comments can be sent to sp800-35@nist.gov.

The third draft, "Special Publication 800-4A: Security Considerations in Federal Information Technology Procurements," is a more broad-based guide, looking at all IT procurements and how to ensure that security is considered as a factor in every product, service, system and network.

The guide takes agencies through the security considerations at every point in the acquisition process, from mission planning and acquisition planning to managing and closing the contract.

Comments can be sent to sp800-4@nist.gov.