Streamlining Compliance: Leveraging OSCAL Automation for Effective Risk Management

Originally published by RegScale.

Written by Esty Peskowitz.

Navigating FedRAMP compliance complexities is growing more challenging by the day. The use of automation in everyday activities has become a necessity for security professionals. During a fireside chat at Coalfire’s RAMPCon event on June 25, 2024, industry experts Dale Hoak, Director of Information Security at RegScale, and Charles Johnson, Vice President of Solution Architecture at Coalfire, shed light on how to drive compliance excellence through OSCAL-compliant automation for POAMs, SSPs, SAPs, and SARs.

Understanding OSCAL:
A Foundation for Compliance Automation

What is OSCAL?

Charles Johnson kicked off the discussion by asking, “What is OSCAL, and why was it developed?” Dale Hoak explained that OSCAL, or Open Security Controls Assessment Language, is a standardized, machine-readable language created by NIST. It was designed to automate and streamline security assessments, authorizations, and continuous monitoring processes. The primary goal is to address inconsistencies in security documentation and enhance automation and interoperability across various compliance frameworks.

The Power of OSCAL in Compliance Processes

Interoperability and Efficiency

One of OSCAL’s standout benefits is its ability to facilitate interoperability between different security assessment tools and real-time machine to machine data exchange. As Dale noted, “When you can put everything into a single system and everyone is working off the same sheet of music, it makes it much easier to quantify risks and your issues.” This standardization allows various tools and platforms to easily exchange and interpret security information, ensuring consistent documentation and assessment processes.

Enhancing Authorization Processes

OSCAL significantly improves the FedRAMP authorization process by standardizing security controls and assessments documentation. This leads to more efficient and consistent security assessments, reducing the time and effort required for authorization. Similarly, OSCAL plays a vital role in StateRAMP and DoD CC SRG compliance processes by providing a machine-readable format for documenting and assessing security controls, thus streamlining compliance evaluations and supporting stringent security requirements.

Overcoming Challenges and Maximizing Benefits

Initial Adoption and Training

Adopting OSCAL can present challenges, such as the initial learning curve and the need for tool integration and customization. However, with adequate training and support from vendors, organizations can successfully implement OSCAL and reap its benefits.

Automation and Risk Management

Dale’s comment, “Let the machine do the hard work so the human can do the nuanced work they need to do to manage risk,” encapsulates the essence of compliance automation. By leveraging OSCAL-compliant automation tools, organizations can focus on managing nuanced risks while automating repetitive and time-consuming tasks.

OCSAL Next Steps

The fireside chat at RAMPCon 2024 provided valuable insights into driving compliance excellence through OSCAL-compliant automation. By integrating OSCAL with advanced technologies like AI, organizations can achieve efficient, consistent, and accurate compliance processes. As regulatory landscapes continue to evolve, embracing automation and standardization will be key to maintaining compliance excellence.