Benefits & Shortcomings of OSCAL

Security and compliance are a top priority for organizations today. However, maintaining these standards becomes increasingly difficult as organizations grow and expand. In response, NIST worked with various organizations to establish the Open Security Controls Assessment Language(OSCAL). 

OSCAL is a standardized language that helps streamline processes and improve the accuracy of risk assessments. While it is designed for efficiency, cybersecurity remains a complex field, and OSCAL is no exception. However, there are solutions available that can mitigate many of these challenges, leaving your organization secure and compliant.

What is OSCAL?

The Open Security Controls Assessment Language(OSCAL) is a standardized, machine-readable language. It is formatted to automate security control management, assessment, and reporting. The condensed format allows them to be easily adopted by various tools, boosting interoperability, and reducing the reliance on manual processes.

But, as with any solution, OSCAL comes with its own set of benefits and drawbacks. 

Benefits of OSCAL

1. Standardization and automation

One of the primary advantages of OSCAL is the standardization of security controls. OSCAL enables the automation of various manual tasks by using a machine-readable format. This not only speeds up processes but also reduces human error, which is a significant concern in manually driven security assessments.

2. Interoperability

OSCAL’s standardized format allows for seamless integration with various tools and systems used to manage risk, governance, and compliance. OSCAL makes it easier to share and transfer data across platforms by making sure that different systems can speak the same language and have access to the same information.

3. Transparency

OSCAL allows organizations to create a more transparent compliance process. It enables stakeholders, auditors, and regulators to have greater insight into how security controls are being implemented, tested, and assessed. This transparency also helps decision-makers understand where their organization stands when it comes to compliance and potential security risks.

Obstacles to consider

While OSCAL is a huge step up over manual security processes, it is not without its challenges. There are various shortcomings that present obstacles:

1. Time-consuming complexity 

While OSCAL offers a more standardized approach, its overall complexity can still be overwhelming for many organizations. Transitioning to OSCAL is no small feat, requiring a significant investment of time and resources to fully grasp and apply the framework. Even though it simplifies some processes, OSCAL still involves over 300 pages of detailed data entry, making it more manageable but far from simple. This complexity can slow down adoption and present a steep learning curve for teams unfamiliar with its structure.

2. Limited configuration 

OSCAL’s standardized format is designed for broad applicability, but that limits its ability to handle specific security requirements. Organizations with unique security needs may find that OSCAL cannot provide the flexibility they need, forcing them to either adapt their processes or build additional layers of customization on top of the standard format.

3. Integration challenges

While OSCAL aims to improve interoperability, the reality is that not all systems can support it. Organizations may find it difficult to integrate OSCAL with their existing tools, especially if those tools were not built with machine-readable formats in mind. This can lead to compatibility issues and may require additional investments in integration solutions.

Addressing the shortcomings with OSCAL NOW

OSCAL NOW is a solution offered only by Pathways Consulting Group. It helps organizations overcome the challenges of OSCAL implementation while maximizing its benefits.

• Simplified implementation:OSCAL NOW streamlines OSCAL adoption by reducing the complexities associated with transitioning from manual processes to automated, machine-readable formats.
• Flexibility:While OSCAL has limited customization options, OSCAL NOW offers the flexibility to adapt the standardized framework to fit unique security and compliance needs.
• Continuous monitoring:With OSCAL NOW, organizations get access to real-time updates on the status of their security controls, making it easier to monitor control effectiveness, manage risks, and ensure continuous compliance.
• Visibility and reporting:OSCAL NOW provides greater visibility into the status of security controls, test results, and risk assessments.
• Issue tracking and remediation management:The platform simplifies the identification of issues stemming from security controls, enabling organizations to track remediation tasks effectively and ensure timely resolution.

Bridging the gap between promise and practice

Wherever you are in your journey, whether you’re looking for a way to save time or you’re just trying to answer the question “What is OSCAL,”PathwaysConsulting Groupis here to help. By partnering with us, organizations can unlock the full potential of the framework, streamline their compliance efforts, protect their data, and take back their time. Get in touch today to find out if OSCAL NOW is right for your organization.