Federal glossary · Regulation
FISMA (Federal Information Security Modernization Act) requires federal agencies to implement information security programs. Contractors handling federal data must comply.
Reference record · Sources: Federal Information Security Modernization Act · Verified Jul 2, 2026 · Covers definition, governing source
Federal Information Security Modernization Act
Also known as
FISMA (Federal Information Security Modernization Act) requires federal agencies to implement information security programs. Contractors handling federal data must comply.
(Federal Information Security Modernization Act) is a regulation concept federal contractors and grant writers run into across solicitations, regulations, and award filings
FISMA is part of the federal regulatory framework that governs procurement, performance, or compliance. For contractors, FISMA is not just background — it shapes solicitation language, evaluation criteria, source-selection authority, and what counts as compliant performance. Understanding when FISMA applies and (more importantly) when it doesn't apply is the difference between a proposal that's competitive within its actual constraint set and one that over-engineers compliance. Contracting officers use FISMA as common vocabulary, so reading their decisions, modifications, and source-selection memoranda gets easier when the regulation is in your working memory. Pair FISMA with the related terms above to see how it interacts with adjacent regulatory mechanisms.
Meaning in practice
FISMA is part of the federal rule set that governs procurement, compliance, or program administration.
Where you’ll see it
You will see it in the FAR, DFARS, the Federal Register, clauses, and compliance checklists.
Common confusion
People often confuse a regulation with agency guidance or with a checklist that merely references the rule.
What to do next
Find the exact citation and confirm whether the page links to a part, clause, or agency interpretation.
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