FISMA Compliance

What is FISMA Compliance?

FISMA compliance refers to adherence to the security standards for agencies handling classified, sensitive, or mission-critical information and was established under the Federal Information Security Modernization Act, which governs how federal agencies and their contractors protect sensitive government information. Originally enacted in 2002 and updated in 2014, FISMA requires federal entities to implement risk-based security programs and regularly assess the security posture of their information systems.

What is FISMA Compliance and Why is it Important for Federal Agencies?

TierFive provides secure FISMA compliant document scanning services in compliance with the security standards established under the Federal Information Security Modernization Act, which governs how federal agencies and their contractors protect sensitive government information. Originally enacted in 2002 and updated in 2014, FISMA requires federal entities to implement risk-based security programs and regularly assess the security posture of their information systems. For agencies handling classified, sensitive, or mission-critical information, FISMA compliance is not only a regulatory requirement but a vital step in preventing cyber threats, breaches, and data misuse. Organizations that fail to meet FISMA standards may face serious operational and legal consequences. Third-party vendors, including document scanning providers, must demonstrate adherence to applicable security controls to support federal data integrity, confidentiality, and availability throughout the document lifecycle.

How TierFive Maintains FISMA Compliance for Document Scanning

TierFive delivers FISMA-compliant scanning services by aligning its information security practices with NIST 800-53 control families and the broader FISMA framework. Although we are not federally certified, TierFive is both HIPAA and SOC2 certified in addition we are ISO 27001 certified and our protocols reflect the security architecture expected of vendors working with federal agencies. We protect federal records with PBSA compliant staff background verifications, federal e-verification, physical access control, and utilizing encryption that meets FIPS 140-2 validation standards and ensure access is strictly limited to authorized personnel through multi-factor authentication and role-based permissions. All scanned records are processed within secure environments under continuous surveillance and physical access restrictions. Our systems and processes are designed to uphold data integrity, prevent unauthorized access, and ensure that all handling is logged and auditable. Through meticulous attention to information system boundaries, endpoint control, and data handling policies, TierFive provides a compliant, transparent, and secure scanning experience that meets the expectations of FISMA-governed clients.

The Role of NIST 800-53 Controls in TierFive’s FISMA Compliance

At the core of FISMA compliance is the NIST 800-53 framework, which defines a comprehensive set of security and privacy controls for federal information systems. These controls span categories such as access control, incident response, media protection, system integrity, and audit accountability. TierFive has aligned its document scanning operations with these control families to meet the expectations of federal partners. Our procedures include media sanitization protocols for decommissioned storage, secure transfer mechanisms for digital outputs, and logging systems that support traceability and incident resolution. We also maintain documented processes for change management and configuration control, ensuring operational consistency and minimizing risk. By following NIST 800-53 guidance, TierFive enables government agencies and contractors to maintain compliance without sacrificing efficiency or scalability in their document digitization efforts.

Key FISMA Compliance Requirements for Secure Document Scanning

To support FISMA compliance, a secure document scanning service must follow specific security practices throughout the entire process. These include protecting federal data using FIPS 140-2 validated encryption, limiting system access to verified and authorized personnel, maintaining accurate audit trails, and operating in physically secure facilities. Providers must also implement role-based access controls, system integrity monitoring, and data retention policies aligned with agency-specific requirements. All personnel must be trained in FISMA principles and agree to documented information security policies.

Contact TierFive today to learn more about how we can help your state or federal agency reduce overhead costs securely digitize your vial records within the compliance requirements of FISMA. *Note if your organizations project requires specific FISMA certification then we can be named and certified for your specific project.