What Is a System Security Plan (SSP)? A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding and Creating an SSP

A System Security Plan (SSP) explains how your organization protects sensitive information like CUI or FCI. It is a key document for organizations working with the U.S. government. It’s necessary for defense contractors seeking CMMC, cloud providers and federal agencies following NIST 800-53 for FedRAMP or FISMA. 

Making it easier to create, manage, and update an SSP is what we’re all about here at Paramify. Whether you’re just creating an SSP or improving the one you already have, we’re here to help. 

Below we’ll explain why it’s important to have a quality SSP, how to create one, and how tools like Paramify can simplify your process and save you time and money.

What Is a System Security Plan (SSP)?

According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a System Security Plan is a: 

“formal document that provides an overview of the security requirements for an information system and describes the security controls in place or planned for meeting those requirements.”

Your SSP is like a detailed roadmap that explains how your organization implements, monitors, and maintains cybersecurity controls to safeguard sensitive data and systems. 

It serves as a living document that evolves with your organization’s IT environment, captures your system’s boundaries, operational context, security controls, and the roles and responsibilities of personnel. 

FYI: An SSP is not a high-level policy document but a granular, system-specific plan that details the “how, where, when, and who” of security control implementation. 

Example: A security policy might state that access to sensitive data is restricted. An SSP would specify the exact technologies (e.g., Active Directory groups, multi-factor authentication), configurations, and processes used to enforce that restriction.

Key Components of an SSP

A quality SSP includes several critical elements to provide a full view of your cybersecurity posture:

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• System Identification and Boundaries: Clearly define the system’s purpose, scope, and boundaries, including which systems, networks, and devices process, store, or transmit sensitive data like CUI.
  Network diagrams and data flow diagrams are often included to illustrate these boundaries.
• Security Control Implementation: Detail how each required security control (e.g., NIST 800-171’s 110 controls for CMMC Level 2) is implemented, including specific technologies, configurations, and processes.
  For example, for Access Control (AC.L2-3.1.1), you might document: “Access to CUI systems is restricted via Yubikey hardware tokens and 12-character passwords, with quarterly access reviews per Procedure AMP-201.”
• Roles and Responsibilities: Identify key personnel, such as the System Owner, Information Owner, and System Security Officer, and outline their responsibilities for maintaining security.
• System Environment: Describe the technical, physical, and personnel environment in which the system operates, including hardware, software, and interconnections with other systems.
• Continuous Monitoring Strategy: Document how the organization monitors and maintains compliance through vulnerability management, audits, and ongoing assessments.
• Supporting Documentation: Reference policies, procedures, and evidence (e.g., logs, configurations) that substantiate control implementation.
• Plans of Action and Milestones (POA&Ms): Address any compliance gaps with detailed remediation plans, timelines, and responsible parties.

An SSP is not a static document; it must be regularly updated to reflect changes in the system, new threats, or updated regulations. 

For organizations subject to frameworks like NIST 800-171 (CMMC), or 800-53 (FedRAMP/FISMA), the SSP is a mandatory artifact reviewed by auditors or assessors to verify compliance.

Why Is an SSP Important?

An SSP is more than a compliance requirement — it’s a strategic tool that enhances your organization’s security posture and operational resilience. 

Here’s why it matters:

• Compliance with Regulations: An SSP is required for frameworks like NIST 800-171, CMMC Level 2 and 3, FedRAMP, and FISMA.
  For example, defense contractors must submit an SSP to demonstrate compliance with DFARS 252.204-7012, while FedRAMP requires an SSP for Authorization to Operate (ATO).
• Risk Management: By documenting security controls and gaps, an SSP helps identify vulnerabilities and prioritize remediation, reducing the risk of data breaches or non-compliance penalties.
• Audit Readiness: A well-crafted SSP serves as the primary evidence for assessors, streamlining audits and certifications by providing a clear roadmap of your security program.
• Business Continuity: An SSP ensures consistent implementation of controls, supporting swift recovery from security incidents and maintaining operational stability.
• Stakeholder Confidence: A thorough SSP demonstrates to federal agencies, partners, and customers that your organization takes data protection seriously, enhancing trust and market competitiveness.

Failure to maintain an accurate SSP can lead to severe, expensive consequences.

These include failed audits, lost contracts, or penalties under the Department of Justice’s Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative, which has imposed settlements up to $4 million for non-compliance with cybersecurity requirements.

Do You Need an SSP?

Organizations handling sensitive data, particularly those working with the U.S. government, typically require an SSP. This includes:

• Defense Contractors: Companies in the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) handling CUI or FCI must comply with NIST 800-171 and CMMC, both of which mandate an SSP.
• Federal Agencies: FISMA requires all federal agencies and their third-party partners to develop SSPs for systems processing sensitive data.
• Cloud Service Providers (CSPs): Those seeking FedRAMP authorization must submit an SSP as part of the ATO process.
• Non-Federal Organizations: Even organizations not directly tied to federal contracts can benefit from an SSP to align with best practices and protect sensitive data, such as intellectual property or customer information.

Example: A manufacturing company supplying the Department of Defense or a university conducting research with CUI must develop an SSP to meet contractual and regulatory obligations.

How to Create a System Security Plan: A Step-By-Step Guide

Creating an SSP is a complex but structured process that requires careful planning and documentation. 

Below is a step-by-step guide, incorporating modern approaches like automation to simplify the process:

Step 1: Conduct a Self-Assessment

Start with a gap assessment to evaluate your current security posture against the required framework (e.g., NIST 800-171’s 110 controls for CMMC Level 2).
Identify which controls are in place, partially implemented, or missing, and document existing policies, technologies, and processes. 

A gap assessment provides a roadmap for compliance and informs your SSP’s scope.

→ Take these steps to avoid overspending on your Gap Assessment

Traditional Approach: Manual gap assessments involve weeks of interviews and can cost $10,000–$150,000, depending on system complexity and framework (e.g., FedRAMP vs. CMMC).

Modern Approach with Paramify: Tools like Paramify streamline this process with a 45–60-minute intake session, generating a dynamic gap assessment dashboard that serves as a real-time compliance roadmap.
Priced at $5,000–$15,000 (or included in Paramify’s annual subscription), this approach is faster and more cost-effective.

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Step 2: Define System Boundaries

Clearly delineate the scope of your SSP. Specify which systems, networks, and devices handle sensitive data like CUI. 

Include detailed network diagrams and data flow diagrams to illustrate boundaries and interconnections. Accurate boundaries prevent over-scoping (which increases costs) or under-scoping (which risks audit failure).

Example: For a defense contractor, the SSP might include servers hosting CUI, employee laptops with access to CUI, and cloud services like AWS GovCloud, but exclude general business systems like HR payroll.

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Step 3: Document Security Controls

For each required control, provide detailed implementation statements. For instance, for NIST 800-171 control AC.L2-3.1.1 (limit system access to authorized users), specify the technologies (e.g., Yubikey tokens), processes (e.g., quarterly access reviews), and responsible personnel. Reference supporting evidence like policies or logs.

Traditional Approach: Manually documenting controls in Word or Excel is labor-intensive, often taking 6–24 months and costing $250,000–$1,500,000+ for complex frameworks like FedRAMP. Manual documentation is notoriously inaccurate and difficult to update or adjust. 

Modern Approach with Paramify: Paramify automates control documentation, generating SSPs in 1–7 days for $8,000–$60,000, depending on the framework ($8,000/year for CMMC, $30,000–$60,000/year for NIST 800-53 Moderate/High). 

Automation ensures accuracy and reduces errors. 

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Step 4: Address Plans of Action and Milestones (POA&Ms)

Document any compliance gaps in a POA&M, including specific remediation actions, timelines, and responsible parties. 

While POA&Ms are acceptable, excessive gaps may signal an immature security program, risking assessment failure.

Traditional Approach: Manual POA&M management via spreadsheets is time-consuming, often requiring 40+ hours monthly.

Modern Approach with Paramify: Paramify’s automated POA&M dashboard streamlines management, cutting tasks to hours and saving approximately $30,000–$60,000 annually in continuous monitoring costs.

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Step 5: Establish Continuous Monitoring

Outline a strategy for ongoing compliance, including vulnerability scans, audits, and SSP updates. 

NIST 800-171 requires annual reviews or updates after significant system changes.

Modern Approach with Paramify: Paramify’s living dashboard provides real-time updates, ensuring your SSP reflects the current environment and simplifying continuous monitoring.

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Step 6: Use Templates or Automation Tools

While NIST provides a free SSP template (available in SP 800-18, Appendix A), it requires significant customization. 

Alternative Automation: Paramify’s platform eliminates the need for static templates, using Open Security Controls Assessment Language (OSCAL) to generate machine-readable and human-readable SSPs instantly, saving time and ensuring audit-ready accuracy.

Note: With RFC-0024, Machine-readable documentation will be required for FedRAMP documentation after September 2026.

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→ Learn how to quickly create a machine-readable compliance package

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Step 7: Involve Cross-Functional Teams

Engage IT, security, HR, facilities, and leadership to ensure the SSP covers all domains (technical, physical, administrative). 

Collaborative workshops help capture accurate details and ensure buy-in.

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Step 8: Review and Update Regularly

An SSP must remain current to reflect system changes, new threats, or regulatory updates. Failure to update can lead to non-compliance or penalties under the False Claims Act.

Modern Approach with Paramify: Paramify’s automated updates apply changes across all relevant controls and documents, eliminating manual revisions and reducing costs for updates (included in the subscription).

→ Request a demo of Paramify to see how easy it can be to create and maintain your SSP

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Costs and Timelines for Creating an SSP

The cost and timeline to create an SSP varies based on system complexity, framework, and approach:

Traditional Manual Approach:

• Cost: $250,000–$3,000,000 for initial SSP and ATO (e.g., FedRAMP High), with ongoing annual costs of $100,000–$1,000,000 for continuous monitoring.
• Timeline: 6–24 months for initial SSP creation, with months of revisions during audits.
• Challenges: Manual documentation is error-prone, labor-intensive, and costly, requiring extensive consultant support ($150–$210/hour).

Automated Approach with Paramify:

• Cost: $8,000/year for CMMC, $8,000–$30,000/year for NIST 800-53 Low, $30,000–$60,000/year for NIST 800-53 Moderate/High. Gap assessments are $5,000–$15,000 (or included in the subscription).
• Timeline: 1–7 days for SSP generation, 2 weeks for tasks that traditionally take 4 months, and 6 months for FedRAMP High readiness (e.g., Paramify achieved this for under $300,000).
• Benefits: Automation reduces costs by up to 60%, documentation time by 90%, and remediation rounds by 40%, with higher accuracy and audit readiness.

→ Learn the big difference between templates and automated SSP generation. 

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Other Automation Options:

Not sure about Paramify? While they don’t offer the same simplicity as Paramify’s Risk Solutions system, you may consider other GRC tools like RegScale or Telos.

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Paramify vs. Traditional Methods: A Comparison

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Paramify’s automation, living dashboard, and seamless integrations (e.g., Jira, ServiceNow) make it a standout choice for organizations seeking efficiency and accuracy. 

Example: cloud providers using Paramify have completed FedRAMP Moderate SSPs in 5 days for $15,000, compared to 6 months and $300,000 manually.

→ See how Mirai Security is improving timelines and costs for FedRAMP and CMMC with Paramify

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Other Options for SSP Creation

While Paramify offers a cutting-edge solution, other approaches may suit different needs:

• Manual Templates: Free NIST or Lakeridge templates are cost-effective but require significant expertise and time to customize, risking errors.
• GRC Platforms: Tools like RegScale or Tellos provide automation but may not match Paramify’s speed, cost savings, or framework-specific optimizations.
• Consultants: GRC advisors offer expertise but can cost $100,000–$500,000. 

Many advisors use Paramify to reduce costs and improve outcomes for clients.

• In-House Teams: Organizations with mature security programs can develop SSPs internally, but this is resource-intensive without automation.

For organizations new to compliance or with limited resources, combining Paramify with a consultant can maximize efficiency while leveraging expert guidance.

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Why Choose Paramify?

Paramify transforms SSP creation and management by automating tedious tasks, reducing costs, and ensuring audit-ready accuracy. Its key advantages include:

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• Speed: Generate SSPs in 1–7 days, compared to months manually.
• Cost Savings: Save up to 60% on initial costs and 30–50% on continuous monitoring.
• Accuracy: OSCAL-based automation minimizes errors, streamlining audits.
• Ease of Maintenance: A living dashboard and automated updates keep your SSP current without manual revisions.
• Scalability: Supports frameworks like CMMC, FedRAMP, NIST 800-53, and more, with seamless integrations for DevOps and security tools.

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Paramify case studies: One client transitioned to NIST 800-53 Rev 5 in under 4 hours, and Paramify itself achieved FedRAMP High readiness in 6 weeks for under $300,000. 

Partners like Mirai Security, Prescient, and Steel Patriot Partners use Paramify to deliver faster, more cost-effective results for clients.

Is Paramify Right for Your Organization?

Paramify is ideal for organizations seeking to streamline compliance, reduce costs, and improve security, whether you’re new to frameworks like CMMC or FedRAMP or managing an existing SSP. 

It’s particularly suited for:

• New Compliance Seekers: Save time and money with automated gap assessments, a living compliance roadmap, and SSP generation.
• Experienced Organizations: Enhance existing SSPs with OSCAL-based automation and seamless POA&M management.
• GRC Advisors: Deliver faster, more accurate results to clients while taking on more projects.

However, Paramify may not be the best fit if your organization lacks the resources to adopt new tools, pursues frameworks not yet supported in-platform (e.g., SOC 2, ISO 27001), or has minimal documentation needs (e.g., CMMC Level 1).

Next Steps

However you go about creating it, a well-crafted SSP is your foundation for compliance success and long-term security. 

By automating gap assessments, documentation, and POA&M management, Paramify empowers organizations to achieve compliance goals efficiently while enhancing security.

To explore how Paramify can simplify your SSP process, request a quick video demo, visit the Paramify pricing page for transparent cost details. Feel free to contact our team with any questions, learn more about how Paramify works, or sign up for a live demo below.