Enhancing Cybersecurity Through a Revised Risk Management Framework

Abstract

The Department of Defense (DoD) relies on a secure and resilient communication infrastructure to enable critical functions and command and control operations. Ensuring the security of this infrastructure is essential, and the DoD follows the Risk Management Framework (RMF) established by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to assess and manage cybersecurity risks. While the RMF is designed to standardize security practices across the DoD, the current process suffers from several shortcomings. These include excessive subjectivity, inefficiencies, and a compliance-driven focus that does not adequately address the rapidly evolving technological landscape and emerging threats. This paper seeks to explore revisions to the RMF that could improve its objectivity, efficiency, and threat-based focus, ultimately enhancing its overall effectiveness. By reviewing existing literature, including studies from the Naval Postgraduate School and NIST publications, this research will identify key inefficiencies in the current RMF process and propose targeted improvements. Specifically, the paper will examine gaps between expected and actual cybersecurity performance, streamline the Authority to Operate (ATO) process, and offer solutions aimed at improving both transparency and operational efficiency while reducing redundant efforts. In addition to addressing inefficiencies, this research will focus on enhancing RMF’s adaptability to emerging technologies and the dynamic nature of modern threats. As cyber threats become more sophisticated and as the pace of technological innovation accelerates, a more flexible, forward-looking RMF is essential to maintaining operational security. The research will also explore how to integrate real-time threat intelligence and automation into the RMF process to further strengthen its capabilities. The expected outcome is a more agile and responsive RMF that better aligns with the DoD's evolving mission needs and technological advancements. The proposed revisions are intended to enhance joint integration, improve the overall cybersecurity posture, and increase operational effectiveness, ensuring the DoD's communication infrastructure remains secure, adaptable, and capable of responding to future challenges and adversarial threats.