Cybersecurity Assessment Tool

In light of the increasing volume and sophistication of cyber threats, the Federal Financial Institutions
Examination Council (FFIEC) developed the Cybersecurity Assessment Tool (Assessment) to help
institutions identify their risks and determine their cybersecurity preparedness. The Assessment provides a
repeatable and measurable process for financial institutions to measure their cybersecurity preparedness
over time.

The following resources can help management and directors of financial institutions understand supervisory
expectations, increase awareness of cybersecurity risks, and assess and mitigate the risks facing their
institutions.

Overview for Chief Executive Officers and Boards of Directors (PDF)

Cybersecurity Assessment Tool (PDF)

 User’s Guide (PDF)

 Inherent Risk Profile (PDF)
 Cybersecurity Maturity (PDF)

Additional Resources

 Appendix A: Mapping Baseline Statements to the FFIEC IT Handbook (PDF)

 Appendix B: Mapping to NIST Cybersecurity Framework (PDF)
 Appendix C: Glossary (PDF)

Print all documents at once (PDF)

FFIEC Cybersecurity Assessment Tool Presentation View Slides (PDF) | View Video

Process Flow for Institutions:

Step 1: Read Overview for Chief Executive Officers and Boards of Directors to gain insights on the
benefits to institutions of using the Assessment, the roles of the CEO and Board of Directors, a high-level
explanation of the Assessment, and how to support implementation of the Assessment.

Step 2: Read the User's Guide to understand all of the different aspects of the Assessment, how the
inherent risk profile and cybersecurity maturity relate, and the process for conducting the Assessment.

Step 3: Complete Part 1: Inherent Risk Profile of the Cybersecurity Assessment Tool to understand
how each activity, service, and product contribute to the institution’s inherent risk and determine the
institution’s overall inherent risk profile and whether a specific category poses additional risk.

Step 4: Complete Part 2: Cybersecurity Maturity of the Cybersecurity Assessment Tool to determine
the institution’s cybersecurity maturity levels across each of the five domains.

Step 5: Interpret and Analyze Assessment Results to understand whether the institution’s inherent risk
profile is appropriate in relation to its cybersecurity maturity and whether specific areas are not aligned. If
management determines that the institution’s maturity levels are not appropriate in relation to the inherent
risk profile, management should consider reducing inherent risk or developing a strategy to improve the
maturity levels.
Refer to the User's Guide for additional explanation of Steps 3, 4, and 5.

In addition to the “Overview for Chief Executive Officers and Boards of Directors”, the FFIEC has released
the following documents to assist institutions with the Assessment.

 Appendix A: Mapping Baseline Statements to FFIEC IT Handbook

 Appendix B: Mapping to NIST Cybersecurity Framework
 Appendix C: Glossary

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