RA-3 security control must be partially implemented prior to the implementation of other controls in order to complete the first two steps in the Risk Management Framework: True or False?

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not specified
• D. Cannot be determined

Answer: (A)

Risk assessment drives the early RMF steps. RA-3 covers assessing risk to operations, assets, individuals, other organizations, and the nation, including identifying threats, vulnerabilities, and their likelihood and impact. In the RMF flow, the first two steps are categorizing the system and selecting security controls, and you need risk information to do that effectively. Even if you don’t complete a full risk assessment before applying every control, beginning RA-3 activities early—partially implementing it to understand risk—provides the essential input that informs how the system should be categorized and which controls are appropriate. Without this early, partial risk assessment, control selection could be misaligned with actual risk. So, the statement is true.