What does "Authorization Boundary" refer to in eMASS?

The term "Authorization Boundary" in eMASS refers to the physical and logical limits within which an authorization applies. This concept is essential in cybersecurity and risk management because it defines the scope of a system or application that is authorized to operate under certain security and compliance requirements.

When an organization obtains an Authorization to Operate (ATO), it is crucial to clearly delineate the boundaries of the system to ensure that all components—hardware, software, and network topology—within that boundary are adequately secured and monitored. This helps in managing risk effectively by identifying what is included in the authorization, ensuring that security controls are applied appropriately, and determining which components fall under continuous monitoring and assessment regulations.

By establishing this boundary, organizations can better manage cybersecurity risk, ensuring that only the defined systems and components are authorized for operation, thus reducing the potential for vulnerabilities and threats that could arise from unauthorized access or misconfiguration.