Timothy Grance

Guidelines on Security and Privacy in Public Cloud Computing

NIST Special Publication 800-144 - Cloud computing can and does mean different things to different people. The common characteristics most interpretations share are on-demand scalability of highly available and reliable pooled computing resources, secure access to metered services from nearly anywhere, and displacement of data and services from inside to outside the organization. While aspects of these characteristics have been realized to a certain extent, cloud computing remains a work in progress. This publication provides an overview of the security and privacy challenges pertinent to public cloud computing and points out considerations organizations should take when outsourcing data, applications, and infrastructure to a public cloud environment.~

Cloud Computing Synopsis and Recommendations

This document reprises the NIST-established definition of cloud computing, describes cloud computing benefits and open issues, presents an overview of major classes of cloud technology, and provides guidelines and recommendations on how organizations should consider the relative opportunities and risks of cloud computing.

A framework for measuring the vulnerability of hosts

This paper proposes a framework for measuring the vulnerability of individual hosts based on current and historical operational data for vulnerabilities and attacks. Previous approaches have not been scalable because they relied on complex manually constructed models, and most approaches have examined software flaws only, not other vulnerabilities such as software misconfiguration and software feature misuse. The framework uses a highly automatable metrics-based approach, producing rapid and consistent measurements for quantitative risk assessment and for attack and vulnerability modeling. In this paper, we propose the framework and its components and describe the work needed to implement them.

Contingency Planning Guide for Information Technology Systems: Recommendations of the National Institute of Standards and Technology

Abstract : NIST Special Publication 800-34, Contingency Planning Guide for Information Technology (IT) Systems provides instructions, recommendations, and considerations for government IT contingency planning. Contingency planning refers to interim measures to recover IT services following an emergency of System disruption. Interim measures may include the relocation of IT systems sod operators to an alternate site, the recovery of IT functions using alternate equipment, or the performance of IT functions using manual methods.

Computer Security Incident Handling Guide | NIST

(NIST) promotes the U.S. economy and public welfare by providing technical leadership for the Nations measurement and standards infrastructure. ITL develops tests, test methods, reference data, proof of concept implementations, and technical analyses to advance the development and productive use of information technology. ITLs responsibilities include the development of management, administrative, technical, and physical standards and guidelines for the cost-effective security and privacy of other than national security-related information in Federal information systems. The Special Publication 800-series reports on ITLs research, guidelines, and outreach efforts in information system security, and its collaborative activities with industry, government, and academic organizations. iii Authority This publication has been developed by NIST to further its statutory responsibilities under the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA), Public Law (P.L.) 107-347. NIST is responsible for developing information security standards and guidelines, including minimum requirements for Federal information systems, but such standards and guidelines shall not apply to national security systems without the express approval of appropriate Federal officials exercising policy authority over such systems. This guideline is consistent with the requirements of the Office of Management and Budget Nothing in this publication should be taken to contradict the standards and guidelines made mandatory and binding on Federal agencies by the Secretary of Commerce under statutory authority. Nor should these guidelines be interpreted as altering or superseding the existing authorities of the Secretary of Commerce, Director of the OMB, or any other Federal official. This publication may be used by nongovernmental organizations on a voluntary basis and is not subject to copyright in the United States. Attribution would, however, be appreciated by NIST. Certain commercial entities, equipment, or materials may be identified in this document in order to describe an experimental procedure or concept adequately. Such identification is not intended to imply recommendation or endorsement by NIST, nor is it intended to imply that the entities, materials, or equipment are necessarily the best available for the purpose. There may be references in this publication to other publications currently under development by NIST in accordance with its assigned statutory responsibilities. The information in this publication, including concepts and methodologies, may be used by Federal agencies even before the completion of such companion publications. Thus, until each publication is completed, current requirements, guidelines, and procedures, where they exist, remain operative. For planning and transition purposes, Federal agencies may wish to closely follow the development of these new publications by …