DISCUSSION [NIST SP 800-171 R2]
Organizations determine the content and frequency of security training based on the assigned duties, roles, and responsibilities of individuals and the security requirements of organizations and the systems to which personnel have authorized access. In addition, organizations provide system developers, enterprise architects, security architects, acquisition/procurement officials, software developers, system developers, systems integrators, system/network administrators, personnel conducting configuration management and auditing activities, personnel performing independent verification and validation, security assessors, and other personnel having access to system-level software, security-related technical training specifically tailored for their assigned duties.
Comprehensive role-based training addresses management, operational, and technical roles and responsibilities covering physical, personnel, and technical controls. Such training can include policies, procedures, tools, and artifacts for the security roles defined. Organizations also provide the training necessary for individuals to carry out their responsibilities related to operations and supply chain security within the context of organizational information security programs.
NIST SP 800-181 provides guidance on role-based information security training in the workplace. SP 800-161 provides guidance on supply chain risk management.
Further Discussion
Training imparts skills and knowledge to enable staff to perform a specific job function. Training should be available to all employees for all organizational roles to accommodate role changes without being constrained by the training schedule. Awareness training and role-based training are different. Awareness training provides general security training to influence user behavior and is covered by AT.L2-3.2.1. This practice, AT.L2-3.2.2, covers rolebased training that focuses on the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to complete a specific job. Role-based training may include awareness topics specific to individual roles such as ensuring systems administrators understand the risk associated with using an administrative account.
Example
Your company upgraded the firewall to a newer, more advanced system. You have been identified as an employee who needs training on the new device [a,b,c]. This will enable you to use the firewall effectively and efficiently. Your company considered training resources when it planned for the upgrade and ensured that training funds were available as part of the upgrade project [c].
Potential Considerations
Are the duties, roles, and responsibilities that impact, directly or indirectly, the information security of the company or its systems defined and documented [a]?
Do information security-related tasks have accountable owners, and is a strictly limited group of individuals assigned to perform them [b]?
Are personnel who are assigned information security-related duties, roles, and responsibilities trained on those responsibilities, including the security requirements unique or inherent to their roles or responsibilities [c]?
Copyright
Copyright 2020, 2021 Carnegie Mellon University and The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC.
Copyright 2021 Futures, Inc.
This material is based upon work funded and supported by the Department of Defense under Contract No. FA8702-15-D-0002 with Carnegie Mellon University for the operation of the Software Engineering Institute, a federally funded research and development center, and under Contract No. HQ0034-13-D-0003 and Contract No. N00024-13-D-6400 with the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC, a University Affiliated Research Center.
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