CERT Resilience Management Model (CERT-RMM): A Maturity Model for Managing Operational Resilience

Richard A. Caralli · Julia H. Allen · David W. White

Nov 2010 · Addison-Wesley Professional

About this ebook

CERT® Resilience Management Model (CERT-RMM) is an innovative and transformative way to manage operational resilience in complex, risk-evolving environments. CERT-RMM distills years of research into best practices for managing the security and survivability of people, information, technology, and facilities. It integrates these best practices into a unified, capability-focused maturity model that encompasses security, business continuity, and IT operations. By using CERT-RMM, organizations can escape silo-driven approaches to managing operational risk and align to achieve strategic resilience management goals.

This book both introduces CERT-RMM and presents the model in its entirety. It begins with essential background for all professionals, whether they have previously used process improvement models or not. Next, it explains CERT-RMM’s Generic Goals and Practices and discusses various approaches for using the model. Short essays by a number of contributors illustrate how CERT-RMM can be applied for different purposes or can be used to improve an existing program. Finally, the book provides a complete baseline understanding of all 26 process areas included in CERT-RMM.

Part One summarizes the value of a process improvement approach to managing resilience, explains CERT-RMM’s conventions and core principles, describes the model architecturally, and shows how itsupports relationships tightly linked to your objectives.

Part Two focuses on using CERT-RMM to establish a foundation for sustaining operational resilience management processes in complex environments where risks rapidly emerge and change.

Part Three details all 26 CERT-RMM process areas, from asset definition through vulnerability resolution. For each, complete descriptions of goals and practices are presented, with realistic examples.

Part Four contains appendices, including Targeted Improvement Roadmaps, a glossary, and other reference materials.

This book will be valuable to anyone seeking to improve the mission assurance of high-value services, including leaders of large enterprise or organizational units, security or business continuity specialists, managers of large IT operations, and those using methodologies such as ISO 27000, COBIT, ITIL, or CMMI.

About the author

The authors are senior technical staff members within the CERT Program of the Software Engineering Institute (SEI). Richard A. Caralli, Resilient Enterprise Management technical manager, develops and delivers methods, tools, and techniques for enterprise security and resilience management. He has led the development of CERT-RMM. Julia H. Allen conducts research in operational resilience, software security and assurance, and measurement and analysis. She served as the SEI’s Acting Director and Deputy Director/COO and authored The CERT® Guide to System and Network Security Practices (Addison-Wesley, 2001). David W. White, a core member of the CERT-RMM development team, develops CERT-RMM and related products and helps organizations apply them.