How often should organizations update their POAandMs in eMASS?

Organizations should update their Plans of Action and Milestones (POA&Ms) in eMASS regularly, particularly as tasks progress or when new vulnerabilities are identified. This approach ensures that the organization's risk management strategy remains current and effective. Continuous updates reflect the dynamic nature of cybersecurity threats and the necessity to address any changes in the risk landscape promptly, thus allowing organizations to maintain an up-to-date understanding of their security posture and the status of mitigations.

Timely updates facilitate better resource allocation and priority setting for remediation efforts, ensure compliance with policy requirements, and support informed decision-making processes. Adopting a regular update practice helps organizations actively manage their security risks instead of taking a reactive approach after incidents or changes take place. Consequently, it fosters a proactive culture of security and resilience within the organization.